Treatment Of NASA Employees: A Space Travesty?

By Monique Cala University Of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service

Rep. Pete Olson (R-Texas) questioned NASA Administrator Charles Bolden Thursday over what appeared to be a lack of respect shown towards the agency's employees following the release of NASA's budget request for fiscal year 2011.

“There was a statement made by a very senior political appointee in NASA's front office, Mr. Alan Ladwig. He said: 'For those who fuss over President Obama’s Budget for NASA I have two words ‘Bite Me,’" said Olson. “Thats one hell of a message to send to thousands of loyal NASA employees and contractors who have given their life to human space flight.”

Bolden responded to Ladwig's alleged comments, and reassured the committee that Ladwig’s statement was not the message NASA intended to send to its employers or the United States. Bolden told the committee he would look into the claim and take care of what he described as as an 'unacceptable' action.

Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) challenged the speed at which NASA employees were informed of the new budget.

“Many Folks in your own agency do not appear to have known what was in the budget request until the very weekend before it was released,” said Gordon. “In addition, it has taken almost a month for Congress to get the NASA budget justification documents, a state of affairs that is not -and should not be- an acceptable way of doing business with regard to such an important national endeavor.”

Bolden apologized for the delay between communication efforts and acknowledged recognizable concern as NASA takes a ‘historic shift.'

“NASA’s exploration efforts will focus not just on our moon, but also on near earth astroids, strategic deep space zones and the planet Mars and it’s moons,” he said.

A full copy of the proposed FY2011 Budget for NASA can be found on the NASA website.

Pelosi: “Science, science, science and science”

By Kayleigh Harvey - Talk Radio News Service

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) held a photo opportunity today with Congressman Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.), Chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee and Dan Mote, President of Maryland University.

Speaker Pelosi said that funding from the recovery package to assist science and innovation was “already making a difference.” She said, “It’s a recognition that our country depends on education, on science and technology, and our recovery package reflects that.”

Congressman Gordon said, “There approximately six and half billion people in the world and of those who are working about half of those make less than $2 a day.” He hoped that money invested into science and research would ensure that future generations have a better standard of living.

Mote called the recovery act “remarkable.” He said, “Speaker Pelosi we cannot thank you enough for your passion for science, science, science and science.” He added, “this is a wonderful period for the United States of America, as people will be educated in science and technology, there will be innovation in science and technology, and as we come out of this recession people will be going into jobs that don’t currently exist.”

In her closing remarks, Speaker Pelosi said, “I keep saying to people if you want to know our domestic agenda, it is science, science, science and science, and by the way that’s our national security foundation as well.” She complimented President Obama on putting science as a top priority on his agenda.

Gordon Brown: “With faith in the future, We can build tomorrow today”

By Kayleigh Harvey - Talk Radio News Service

The Rt. Hon Gordon Brown, M.P., Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, received several standing ovations and cheers today as he delivered his first address to the 111th Congress.

Gordon Brown is the fifth United Kingdom Prime Minister to jointly address both the Senate and House of Representatives in the U.S. Capitol.

The Prime Minister stated that the rest of the world “needs” and “wants to work” with America during this time of economic instability. “America knows from its history that its reach goes far beyond its geography,” Brown said.

Brown received cheers when talking about a need, for the whole world to work together on tackling the economic crisis.

Brown said: “We should seize this moment - because never before have I seen a world so willing to come together. Never before has this been more needed. And never before have the benefits of unity been so far reaching.”

Adding to this sense of the need for unity and working together, Brown said: “Let me say that you now have the most pro-American European leadership in living memory. A leadership that wants to cooperate more closely together, in order to cooperate more closely with you. There is no old Europe, no new Europe, there is only your friend Europe.”

Addressing the war on terror, Brown stated: “Let me promise you our continued support to ensure there is no hiding place for terrorists, no safe haven for terrorism. You should be proud that in the hard years since 2001 you have shown that while terrorists may destroy buildings and even, tragically, lives, they have not, and will not ever, destroy the American spirit.”

Brown paid tribute to the lost lives of American soldiers who have died protecting their country. Brown said: “Whenever a young American soldier, or marine, sailor or airman is killed in conflict anywhere in the world, we, the people of Britain, grieve with you.”

Brown also paid tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy who received an honorary knighthood for Her Majesty the Queen on March, 3, this year for his work in the Northern Ireland peace process.

Prime Minister Brown concluded by discussing the need to help those in the poorest nations of Africa facing torture. He also commented on the fight involving climate change.