Greetings - From the Moon-Mars Blitz

BWhite · 2004-07-10 20:35:24

I am here just outside Washinton DC to help lobby with the Mars Society and the NSS

Updates to follow

Palomar · 2004-07-10 20:38:58

*Really? Wow, good luck with that. Yeah, keep us posted.

(Humid enough for you? Oh, wait -- you're from Chicago)

--Cindy

Shaun Barrett · 2004-07-10 20:58:55

Great stuff, Bill!
The very best of luck to you. I admire a man who backs up his words with action.
More power to you!
:up:

Josh Cryer · 2004-07-10 22:23:55

Tee hee! What the heck, why didn't I notice anything about this before?

Good luck Bill, and have fun.

BWhite · 2004-07-11 19:16:30

Today was all training. Very very interesting.

Tomorrow our teams (there are 4 in my team) have appointments to visit the staff of 3 US Representatives (Congresspeople) in the morning and the staff of 3 Senators in the afternoon.

Way cool stuff.

I have been trying to spread the word about NewMars being a happening online space forum. One guy in the same team as me is coming to Chicago in August and promised to visit the forum.

= = =

The politics of the Space Exploration Alliance is very interesting as well. 21 space advocacy groups have gotten together for the Moon-Mars Blitz and one of our key talking points is that we can't agree on anything EXCEPT we all strongly support FULL FUNDING in FY ' 05 despite all of our other differences.

Zubrin and some of the other people probably could not agree what color the sky is, but they agree on full funding for next years NASA budget. Hopefully that will count for something.

= = =

A rumor I cannot give a source for. John Kerry will announce a major space policy position in the near future. Source? Eavesdropping in a tavern. ;-)

The SEA is considering doing this again in February 2005 after the election. If they do, you all should come.

I have not met any official people yet, but its already way cool.

Adios - hotel internet access is $$$$

???

Cobra Commander · 2004-07-12 05:25:32

Sorry I couldn't be there with you, Bill. Good luck and success.

And beware Congressional staffers for they doth labor to thwart ye.

BWhite · 2004-07-12 18:47:31

I am posting from a VERY slow, expensive hotel connection.

Anyway, today was waaay cool. We met with 3 House staffers and 3 Senate staffers.

Everyone seemed supportive but there was a real difference of opinion about whether any NASA legislation would get passed before the election. There will most likely be NO budget before the election, too partisan.

A bill to deal solely with NASA is being pushed by Tom Delay but Sherwood Boehlert may be blocking it. The AIAA has a luncheon tomorrow where the two lead speakers are Delay and Boehlert. Cool.

= = =

Then, just after lunch myself and two other Blitzers are assigned to visit a staffer for who?

Senator John Kerry.

Extra waaay cool. This needs to be bi-partisan and I get to go as close to the top (A junior assistant Kelly girl staffer) as a no-body like me can ever hope to go.

Wish me luck and light some candles.

Lots more once I return home to high speed flat monthly fee cable modem bandwidth!

Josh Cryer · 2004-07-13 02:13:37

Tee hee, no budget before the elections, hear that clark? :;):

But Bill. I have no words. You are awesome! Not sure from your statements (whether or not you were meeting the staffer after your post or today), but I hope things went well/go well. I hope you stressed the point that Mars is a much better place for habitation/building a space-based base! I mean, I am not sure if you agree with this sentiment, of course (I believe you have sided with clark before about "slow and steady wins the race" but I do think this particular point needs to be said, especially at the top level).

In any case, lots of admiration for the stuff you're doing. Just really excellent stuff.

clark · 2004-07-13 08:29:03

I hear just fine.

Before, during, or after, it's all the same. I win. :laugh:

Well, we all do, but that's beside the point.

BWhite · 2004-07-13 15:38:06

John Kerry will announce a space vision.

Soon.

clark · 2004-07-13 15:45:27

You are such a tease.

Josh Cryer · 2004-07-14 03:44:23

Tee hee. I'm excited.

Ian Flint · 2004-07-14 08:29:32

Bill,
You should have stayed at a Best Western. They have free High Speed internet access. I manage one in Colorado. So, whenever you visit the boonies of southern Colorado, give me a call... er... private message.

BWhite · 2004-07-14 09:54:11

The politics of Zubrin were interesting to observe this weekend.

Some of the leaders of other space -advocacy organizations were not subtle in their disdain for Zubrin, however, of the 60 or so volunteers, at least 40% - 45% (maybe close to 50%) were there because of Zubrin.

Its kinda hard to dis-respect Zubrin when he delivered the people and I tried to be up-front that I was there because the Mars Society asked me to be there. :;):

The "Mars or Bust" pin helped. . .

= = =

Anyway, many kudos to George Whitesides executive director of the National Space Society. George is a great guy IMHO and was fairly skillful (again IMHO) at balancing his agreement with Zubrin on many points with the need to be diplomatic.

And many experienced space advocate types told me they were impressed by Zubrin's recognition of the need for diplomacy.

= = =

George Whitesides said one cool thing in particular during our training day. He said that everyone there should join every group:

MarsSociety
NSS
Planetary Society
and all the others in the Alliance.

"Come on guys" George said, "Just join all the groups!"

Earthfirst · 2004-07-14 11:36:50

Kerry is evil he hates mars, he much rather send money on walfar for illegal alians! He does not care about America like the great bush does.

BWhite · 2004-07-14 15:27:07

MarsSociety email concerning Moon-Mars Blitz:

Mars Society and NSS Carry the Day at Moon-Mars Blitz July 14, 2004
For further information about the Mars Society, visit our website at http://www.marssociety.org]www.marssociety.org
The Moon-Mars Blitz has occurred and it has been successful.
The Blitz, which was the first important activity conducted by the new Space Exploration Alliance, occurred from July 11-13, and involved some 70 space activists visiting approximately 200 congressmen, senators, and congressional and Senatorial aides to convey to them a message of strong support for the new American space policy that refocuses the human spaceflight program on the goal of sending humans to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Of the activists present, about a third were drawn there by the Mars Society, a third by the National Space Society (NSS), while the remaining third comprised small delegations representing nearly all of the 20 space advocacy, industry, and professional organizations comprising the Space Exploration Alliance (SEA).
The Blitz proceeded as follows: On Sunday, July 11, the activists met at a hotel where they received training from SEA leaders on talking points and methods for conducting Capitol Hill meetings. Then the activists were divided up into 18 groups of 3 to 4 people, each of which was assigned to roughly 12 meetings over the following two days, with effort made to insure that wherever possible, a local constituent for the representative in question was included in the meeting. In all cases, the activists conveyed the message that NASA needs a goal, that the human exploration of the Moon and Mars is the right goal, that the entire American space community agrees on this, and that therefore the President's request for the Moon-Mars exploration initiative for Fiscal Year 2005 should be funded in full.
Reports coming back from the meetings indicate that the SEA activists were almost universally well received, and that the large majority of the responses from those met with were positive.
The Moon Mars Blitz was thus a brilliant success, but more action is needed. An in depth strategy planning meeting to map out further moves in support of the new human space exploration initiative will be held at the 7th International Mars Society Convention, Palmer House Hilton , Chicago, IL, August 19-22, 2004. Registration is now open online at http://www.marssociety.org]www.marssociety.org. Come to the convention and help lay out the political battle plan that will open the solar system.
Congratulations to the SEA for its successful debut, and especially the Mars Society and the NSS for doing so well in mobilizing their members to make the victory possible. Special thanks to Pat Czarnik, Mars Society Director of Outreach, who did the hard work of securing our exemplary turnout.
On the Chicago! On to Mars!
For further information about the Mars Society, visit our website at http://www.marssociety.org]www.marssociety.org.

BWhite · 2004-07-19 20:37:55

My picture is in http://nss.org/images/MMB04/participants.jpg]here.

Morris, you are excluded. But any NewMars regular who identifies me first wins a free drink (courtesy of me) at the Mars Society convention in August.

Morris - I will buy you a drink anyways. :;):

Josh Cryer · 2004-07-19 22:16:23

Third guy from the left in the front. I was going to guess the scruffy guy directly behind the boy in front, but I dunno.

If I'm right (which, actually, I don't expect to be), you can pass up buying me a drink, since I won't be at the convention this year anyhow.

BWhite · 2004-07-19 22:22:01

Third guy from the left in the front. I was going to guess the scruffy guy directly behind the boy in front, but I dunno.
If I'm right (which, actually, I don't expect to be), you can pass up buying me a drink, since I won't be at the convention this year anyhow.

The one next to the two women? Nice thought, but no.

Sorry.

Anyway, I owe you lots of drinks as it is.

Josh Cryer · 2004-07-19 22:29:49

Yeah, the lady in the back is really cute, too. What inclined me to think that was you was the grin that guy had (and he looks smart, as I consider you to be), but perhaps it was related to the ladies, hehe.

Lot of cute girls there though, I bet you're standing within a person or so beside one.

I don't see Robert or Maggie, were they there?

BWhite · 2004-07-19 22:39:00

Dr. Zubrin was there. And. . .

Well, we will save that for later. :;):

Palomar · 2004-07-20 06:24:57

*Bill is either the very tall (seemingly) man standing in the back and to the rightish of the pic, with graying beard and moustache and glasses OR he's the blonde-haired guy towards the left and towards the middle with the white shirt and black bow tie.

3rd guess: The man standing nearly exact center with what looks like a white T-shirt and black dress shirt over it, staring face-on into the camera.

--Cindy

clark · 2004-07-20 09:22:40

The man behind Zubrin with the Mars button on the left lapel.

Josh Cryer · 2004-07-20 13:14:32

Ahh, I see Zubrin now. Did he stop with the combover? Can't really tell, but it does indeed look like it (which is perhaps why I didn't originally recognize him).

BWhite · 2004-07-20 18:22:15

*Bill is either the very tall (seemingly) man standing in the back and to the rightish of the pic, with graying beard and moustache and glasses OR he's the blonde-haired guy towards the left and towards the middle with the white shirt and black bow tie.
3rd guess: The man standing nearly exact center with what looks like a white T-shirt and black dress shirt over it, staring face-on into the camera.
--Cindy

I am home now. Comcast cable modems are pretty good even though I don't like Comcast all that much as a company. The photo loaded up fast, as it should.

Anyway, Cindy's first choice?

Nope.

Cindy's second choice.

The mad scientist dude? I ain't that old (looking). :;):

Besides I have a friend who is a trial lawyer. Jurors with bow ties get excluded by him. Always. He says its a bad karma thing.

Cindy's third choice?

Nope. But better than the last choice.

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#1 2004-07-10 20:35:24

Re: Greetings - From the Moon-Mars Blitz

#2 2004-07-10 20:38:58

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#3 2004-07-10 20:58:55

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#4 2004-07-10 22:23:55

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#5 2004-07-11 19:16:30

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#6 2004-07-12 05:25:32

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#7 2004-07-12 18:47:31

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#8 2004-07-13 02:13:37

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#9 2004-07-13 08:29:03

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#10 2004-07-13 15:38:06

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#11 2004-07-13 15:45:27

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#12 2004-07-14 03:44:23

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#13 2004-07-14 08:29:32

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#14 2004-07-14 09:54:11

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#15 2004-07-14 11:36:50

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#16 2004-07-14 15:27:07

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#17 2004-07-19 20:37:55

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#18 2004-07-19 22:16:23

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#19 2004-07-19 22:22:01

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#20 2004-07-19 22:29:49

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#21 2004-07-19 22:39:00

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#22 2004-07-20 06:24:57

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#23 2004-07-20 09:22:40

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#24 2004-07-20 13:14:32

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