FAA Intervention in Privatized Space Flight is Ridiculous

Burt Rutan and his team of designers, engineers and test pilots at Scaled Composites did something no private group had ever done. They proved that private space flight is feasible and safe. With the help of some Billionaire entrepreneurial investors they are poised to build an entire industry of Private Space Flight. This after other said it was impossible. And for their efforts and vision they won a 10-million dollar prize in doing so. This is a true testament to private enterprise and capitalism, it proves that; "Free Enterprise beats out bureaucracy and bullshit every time!"

Although those who study free markets, free enterprise and capitalism were hardly surprised, we all expected it and it makes sense someone like Rutan and Company would be the ones to do it too. There is only one problem with this picture. During the big ceremony and media event following the third successful launch into space and safe return, the FAA was there to make a few comments. Which is fine, it is nice to have the support of your government for a change. Unfortunately what followed was typical regulatory BS that follows every successful entrepreneurial and innovative endeavor in this nation. The FAA had already started to make rules on an industry, which had only gotten off the ground three times? An industry ready to rocket out of the atmosphere was sure to have some government scrutiny, but before it started? That is a good way to keep mankind in a box or on a little blue pale dot, prison planet? But, why; who might it serve to stop free enterprise and the forward progression of mankind? It clearly serves no free man.

The reasoning behind the FAA scrutiny was to protect people on the ground incase the tourist rocket fell out of the sky and hit someone on the ground? Well that is interesting indeed? Since when has the FAA been concerned with that? The FAA is just one more example of a bureaucracy of epic proportions and I ought to know, my grandfather was in charge of an International Airport for nearly 30 years. Boy could I tell you stories dating back to the early 60's of just what a screwed up agency it really is. They have their fingers so far up the public sectors rear end it is a wonder we even have an aviation industry left? Whoops, we barely do now with airlines going bankrupt, Boeing mechanics on strike and the general aviation industry slowly rebounding. Luckily the fractional jet market has taken off, but only after the FAA ditched some of their onerous regulations.

The fact is folks, everything the government touches gets ruined. Ronald Reagan said it best.

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."

The FAA needs to get their heads out of their rears and their fingers out of ours and I am not the only one who knows this. Think about it.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

In The News:

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A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, November 20, 2008. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)AP - With no end in sight to economic bad news, President George W. Bush on Friday ensured that millions of laid-off workers will keep getting their unemployment checks as the year-end holidays approach.



A protester uses his shoe to strike an effigy of U.S. President George. W. Bush, in an expression of contempt, as thousands of followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr converged on Firdous Square in central Baghdad, Iraq for a mass prayer to protest a proposed U.S.-Iraqi security pact on Friday, Nov. 21, 2008.(AP Photo/Karim Kadim)AP - Thousands of followers of a radical Shiite cleric protested a proposed U.S.-Iraqi security deal Friday, burning an effigy of President George W. Bush in the same square where Iraqis beat a toppled Saddam Hussein statue five years ago.



Attorney General Michael Mukasey is pictured in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, during a photo opportunity with President Bush, not pictured, in this Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008 file photo. Mukasey, the no-nonsense former federal judge who took over the Justice Department after Alberto Gonzales resigned in disgrace, collapsed during a speech Thursday night Nov. 20, 2008 and was rushed to a hospital after losing consciousness.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)AP - Attorney General Michael Mukasey was given "a clean bill of health" and hoped to check out of the hospital after extensive medical tests following his collapse, the Justice Department said Friday.



Nebraska lawmakers Brad Ashford, front, of Omaha, and Arnie Stuthman, of Platte Center, Neb., vote in favor of LB 1 Friday, Nov. 21, 2008 at the state capitol in Lincoln, Neb., The bill puts a 30-day age limit on children who can be dropped off at Nebraska hospitals under the state's safe haven law. The bill easily passed 43-5. (AP Photo/Bill Wolf)AP - Nebraska lawmakers have approved adding a 30-day age limit to a safe-haven law that resulted in 35 children — including teenagers as old as 17 — being abandoned at state hospitals.



Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Friday, Nov. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)AP - Wall Street sagged again Friday but took a break from the heavier selling of recent days as energy, utility and technology stocks showed some advances and bank stocks declined.



In this June 1, 2007 file photo, of Vice Chairman Michael Duke during the annual Wal-Mart shareholders meeting in Fayetteville, Ark. Wal-Mart Stores' board elects Duke, Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, to succeed Lee Scott as president and CEO effective Feb. 1. (AP Photo/April L. Brown, File)AP - Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer, unexpectedly announced Friday that its chief executive will retire in February and be replaced by the head of its international division.



AP - FBI agents arrested a Boston city council member Friday after he was allegedly videotaped taking a $1,000 bribe from an undercover agent in an expanding investigation into corruption at City Hall and the Massachusetts Statehouse.

AP - Gov. Sarah Palin has granted the traditional Thanksgiving pardon to one lucky turkey, but the video that shocked some viewers captured what was happening in the background.

In this Dec. 2, 2007 file photo, director Guy Ritchie and his wife Madonna attend a special screening of 'Revolver' in New York. A court schedule says Madonna and Guy Ritchie will be granted the first stage of their divorce in London Friday, Nov. 21, 2008. London's High Court lists 'Ciccone M L v Ritchie G S' as one of 16 cases listed for 'matrimonial and civil partnership causes for pronouncement of decree.'  (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file)AP - The show-business marriage that began in a Scottish castle came to an end in a drab London courtroom Friday as Madonna and Guy Ritchie were granted a preliminary decree of divorce.



Librarian Susan D'Amico stands in the doorway of the bathroom at the Roxbury Free Library in Roxbury, Vt., Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008. For decades, when you had to go at the Roxbury Free Library, you really had to go -- somewhere else, that is. The one-room clapboard building had no restrooms. When nature called, patrons either had to hold it, walk next door to the Roxbury Union Congregational Church or go home. No more: a toilet was finally installed last Friday. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)AP - When you gotta go, you gotta go. But for decades, when you had to go in the Roxbury Free Library, you really had to go — somewhere else, that is.



A Citibank branch in San Francisco, June 23, 2008. (Robert Galbraith/Reuters)Reuters - Citigroup Inc shares tumbled for a fifth straight day, as Chief Executive Vikram Pandit tried to downplay speculation the banking giant might sell major businesses to restore its health and investor confidence.



European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council member Ewald Nowotny addresses the media during a news conference in Vienna November 21, 2008. (Heinz-Peter Bader/Reuters)Reuters - US stocks recovered some ground on opening on Friday, though Citigroup fell further, amid continued fear that central bank moves to stabilize financial markets might not be enough to prevent a prolonged global recession.



U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey addresses the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, California in this March 27, 2008 file photo. (Robert Galbraith/Files/Reuters)Reuters - U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey was doing well in hospital on Friday after an apparent "fainting spell" that caused his collapse during a speech the night before, a spokeswoman said.



President-elect Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton attend a campaign rally in Orlando, Florida, October 20, 2008. (Jim Young/Reuters)Reuters - Retired Marine Gen. James Jones emerged as a leading contender for White House national security adviser as President-elect Barack Obama worked on Thursday to assemble his foreign policy team.



Reuters - General Motors Corp will return two of its leased corporate jets amid intense criticism in Washington this week on the luxury travel arrangements of its chief executive even as the company pleads for federal aid.

People search for jobs on computers at the Verdugo Jobs Center, in Glendale, California, November 7, 2008. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)Reuters - President George W. Bush on Friday signed into law an extension of unemployment benefits, the White House said.



Demonstrators chant slogans during a rally at Firdos square in Baghdad November 21, 2008. (Ceerwan Aziz/Reuters)Reuters - Followers of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr marched on Friday against a pact letting U.S. forces stay in Iraq until 2011, toppling an effigy of President George W. Bush where U.S. troops once tore down a statue of Saddam Hussein.



President-elect Barack Obama on the phone with a potential voter during his visit to a campaign field office in Charlotte, North Carolina, November 3, 2008. (Jason Reed/Reuters)Reuters - Verizon Wireless said on Thursday that some employees had gained unauthorized access and viewed a personal cell phone account held by President-elect Barack Obama that is now inactive.



US soldier searches for insurgents during a patrol of Afghanistan's Kandahar province in 2007. The National Intelligence Council (NIC) report is vague about the outcome of current conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.(AFP/File/Nicolas Asfouri)AFP - The use of nuclear weapons will grow increasingly likely by 2025, according to a bleak US intelligence report that warns that US global dominance is likely to weaken over the next two decades.



Iraqi Shiites protest in central Baghdad. Thousands of Shiite followers of the firebrand anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr gathered in Baghdad to protest a security accord that would allow US troops to remain in Iraq until 2011.(AFP/Ali al-Saadi)AFP - Thousands of Shiite followers of firebrand anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr gathered in Baghdad on Friday to protest a security accord that would allow US troops to remain in Iraq until 2011.




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