Sputnik was a humbling experience at the height of the Cold War when we were fearful of Communist hegemony enveloping our Ozzie and Harriet lifestyle. It was the prelude to going to the Moon....It's not the same as working up the courage to raise the retirement age to 70 or cut popular programs.
Sputnik is about as pertinent to today as blue suede shoes and Hula Hoops.
State of the Union 2011: Obama says this is our 'Sputnik' moment Mail Online
29 comments:
All the right said just before the President came on that he would promish big money for the kids to get money to the states in a friendly and sticky way. He didn't prove them wrong.
Wasn't Sputnick a flash in the pan for the USSR? I believe the Apollo program would have been the better reference. But I guess if you consider yourself a world presidentinstead of just a POTUS, it is befitting that you not show favoritism to one country during your SUTU speech.
So we need another holocaust type event as a catalyst for a migration of geniuses into the USA?
If you factored the Jewish immigrant contributions out of our space program or the Manhattan project...we would just be something like...Canada.
It was a good analogy that Mr. Obama tied to the “Space Race” and then on to the Moon where we started from scratch and took over as the world's leader. That’s role we need to continue and re-tool as it were. That was his message: “We must continue to lead and be the world's innovator.”
Too bad it got lost in the narrowness of this blog's purpose to keep frenzy out front above all else. The speech was good and fits the moment. If he had laid out a laundry list of things, people would be up in arms about that, too. It matters not what he says, does, tries, or implies, it will get tons of flak.
BTW: How come when government helps by investing in our future in many areas, that it's awful, but when giant Corporations sitting on piles profits don’t invest at home, but seek more profits in China and India as they enjoy the bennies of being an American company? So, I wonder why the work investment is a dirty word when DEMS seek it for the betterment of the country, but when they use it for GOP-friendly industry it’s okay (even for outside of the country)? We need to ditch all the partisan slants on the word.
As far as raising the age...No that won't work. Really a new way for people to retire is needed. Maybe a state doctor has to sign off that you can no longer work...that's when you can go home, collect the money, and die.
It’s economic war and let’s not be fainthearted about winning it!
Pres. Obama said in State of State: “Half a century ago, when the Soviets beat us into space with the launch of a satellite called Sputnik, we had no idea how we'd beat them to the moon. The science wasn't there yet. NASA didn't even exist. But after investing in better research and education, we didn't just surpass the Soviets; we unleashed a wave of innovation that created new industries and millions of new jobs. This is our generation's Sputnik moment. Two years ago, I said that we needed to reach a level of research and development we haven't seen since the height of the Space Race. In a few weeks, I will be sending a budget to Congress that helps us meet that goal. We'll invest in biomedical research, information technology, and especially clean energy technology - an investment that will strengthen our security, protect our planet, and create countless new jobs for our people.”
I agree that yes we can out invent the rest of the world and create more new patents. It won’t be easy but we will create new product lines, and stay ahead of the rest of the world on the innovation curve. We must be mindful that we are arguably behind some countries right now in some verticals including high speed rail, etc. We’ll have to protect the intellectual property that makes our new inventions and resultant new product lines profitable and successful solutions. We must not let India and China and Japan, etc. steal them for nothing. These new products must have markets that are opened up via fair trade agreements put in place by an American government that refuses to be cowed by the Chinese and others. Our China policy and the result trade deficit we incur is a national disgrace. The American people have to make it clear to all our representatives that we won’t stand for it any longer. It’s wrecking the economy and we can’t blame Wall Street for it this time. The time for diplomatic niceties has come to an end. You want access to American markets for your goods; we in turn demand the same access to your domestic markets. We can right our trade balance and the resultant deficit. We can create jobs and a more powerful economy that can pay its way out of the red ink we’re mired in today. We need to stand up for our rights internationally and our leaders have to point us in the right direction to make that happen.
Middle-Class Mike
Well Mikey, the way to "stand up for our rights, internationally" is to hold state dinners where we can pay homage to our Chinese owners.
You don't win an economic war by bankrupting the nation. We are well on our way.
LOL! The corporate tax rate at home is 35%. Why would any US corporation that has overseas factories, want to start spending their profits here?
To even suggest that is a part of our predicament is a laugh.
Government doesn't invest in our future. They invest in earmarks calling it our future.
Dannie, what's the deal with the "narrowness of this blog's purpose?" Be careful you don't fall off that high perch you placed yourself on. I agree with the lead post. All this talk about investing is beautiful fluff. What we need is some real decision making, some definite leadership. I don't think it was more than 4 or 5 years ago that GW threw out the idea that Social Security need fixing. The proposal lasted about a minute before being dismissed by party liners accusing him of wanting to starve old people. Nothing of substance could be discussed. The main lie centered on taking SS totally private. That was a lie told often by GW haters, and it worked. Now we have The Annointed One. He gets around the same issue by declining to discuss it. And guys like you retreat to the same old pablum of hating corporations. Be glad for someone making money, Dannie. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to mail you your monthly check.
All this cash that our evil companies are sitting on is actually the way things are supposed to be. Companies in the past were essentially check kiting because they could make so much money in Vegas. Now that they prudently retain enough cash on hand to operate ethically, the DKOS crowd is crying like that money belongs to them.
Anonyous 8:35. On my "high perch" you say?
We DEMS fight like hell for health care for everyone, like the Vet in this short video while the GOP tries their level best to go back to the future ...
You are pathetic - shame on you...
Watch this 2-minute clip 2 cents worth of sadness.
He's just an old Vet - no problem, right?
70? Really? Sorry (okay, not), but if I'm still pushing carts in the Big Box parking lot to "make a living" at 70 years old then this country should be ashamed. And, that's what Teapublicans would have 70 year olds do if they get their way in raising the "Retirement Age" to 70 or, hell, 80.
There's plenty of $$ to continue the S.S. "Entitlement" program as is (65 retirement) deep into this century and beyond without having 70 year olds pushing carts to earn their daily bread. wtf is wrong with Teapublicans?? wtf happened to this country? Leave. My. Retirement. Alone.
More nonsense from The Ruling Class.
42,000 US factories, averaging 300 workers each, have shut down these past 10 years.
In 1929 The Federal Register numbered something like 2,600 pages. Today it exceeds 80,000 pages.
American industries have not only fled outrageous regulation, taxation, salaries, etc., they have fled the Warfare State. War is not good for business.
What has The Empire shut down?
I don't want to hear of "sputnik" moments. It's unrealistic & worse - insulting. I want to hear Uncle Sam say the dismantling of The Empire will begin. I want America to come home.
Americans tossed out of their homes by tax-payer bailed-out banks while Uncle Sam maintains something close to 1,000 military bases in foreign nations is insane.
Uncle Sam doesn't have the money to finance The Empire without destroying the currency.
That is the cruelest tax of them all.
Supply & Demand is all I have to say,you people are blind.Sadam would have controled 50% of the worlds oil if we did not do what we did.Now with haveing the world hooked on pain killers our army needs to be where they grow opium.Dan likes his car that drives on oil,Dan is fighting for his Vets that all need pain killers but yet Dan likes to run his mouth about the Republicans who make the hard choice to balance out the things that are in demand,you my friend are the one that should check yourself at the door.Please tell me Dan I'm wrong?Sadam was a good man wasn't he?invading a country for What?Oil control,power,thats right he jumped first..We just organized took that basterd out to bad now we have some issues here we need to take care of lets see what your boy can do he has a couple years left to continue to pose.He has done very little to change George Bushes policy please enlighten us all Dan 8more years of George Bush policy isn't that what he ran on.Change is gunna come .... change thank you for what we have,WE LIVE IN THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD that's coming from what Middle Class Mike would call a middle class Republican Im not wealthy.Lets talk about the donations that your party gives then we will compare it to the Republicans $100.00 donations,your corrupt unions are destroying this comeback they will crumble no doubt about it you can see,the proof is in the times.....
Why do I get the feeling that the Rep. and Tea Party people on the blog think WTF (Winning the Future) Newt Gingrich is dismantling the USA and NYS and Gov’t period? It's all so extreme and thanks to Mr. Reid for sticking up for Earmarks!!! I say NNY needs earmarks! :)
Middle-Class Mike
Juston,your nutz good post.....
Good Post Juston!
You have to keep in mind that all the anti-military people are the ones that got picked on at the playground and ran to the teacher for help. They don't realize that in the real world WE ARE THE TEACHER, and there are a lot of bullies we have to keep in check.
EJ, the country can be ashamed if you have to push carts at 70.
But at least then YOU could have some pride.
Ya can you believe the way the libbs skirt the issues talk out both sides of there mouths...
Justin, When Bush Sr. stood in front of a camara after Saddam invaded Kuwait, and said that Saddam must get out of Kuwait period. Why? America couldn't sustain its way of life if the West lost Kuwait and its oil fields. When George W. sold us on weapons of mass destruction, and Saddam hadn't crossed a border. Well let's just say that factually incorrect and for the first time America was going to war without a countries neutrality at stake. Still my country right or wrong and I backed my President, George W. and our troops. Please don't make Opium or pain killer jokes about our troops. It's disrespectful and ignorant. Your better than that and I expect you to act like it on this blog.
Middle-Class Mike
Mike, the entire western world believed he was armed with WMD's. Get off that old party hack story. Only prescription marijuana users trot that out. Whatcha got, headaches?
Dan, when you declare your wide judgements about "the narrowness of this blogs purpuse", I think you're getting a wee bit high on your horse. If I misread you I apologize. This blog is what we all make it. Nobody, even Jeff, controls it. At least that's what I think. Others are different. Some places you can get kicked off for attacking the wrong institutions. I haven't seen that here. How you been, Dan? Getting though the winter ok? Syracuse Boat Show coming up in a couple weeks. March Madness ahead. No matter what I will be rooting against USC. Ha.
Jeff, stop the right wing lie that Social Security is in trouble.
Minor adjustments will fund the system far into the future. You're so enamored of the rich and powerful you are willing to sell out your friends and class. But then the right wing is not fact oriented,
ANON 8:36
Yeah we're all high right? Well try giving us some 'sober' facts. Israel and British intell never confirmed WMD's. Blair went along with Bush out of loyalty. You use insults to hide your lack of a factual basis for what you say and it doesn't play well here on a blog where people really are up to speed.
Mike I speak the truth & have been posting on this blog for some time.If you Dont believe what I said about the pain killers please read Newzjunky article on the left its a General talking about about the Army and its highest drug addiction in its existance.Is that all you got,you will never stear me away.I wasn't joking read the facts Mike,I have been employed moving furniture by the Army.How about your desk jobs wish I had one...I won't deal with your put downs becouse you no I'm right..It's about what I said it is Supply & Demand.Your ignorant and disrespectful to me also to the Republican party that I am a part of.You live off from being fake...I live off from the truths.Nice try once again to discredit me.You can not handle the truth so you try and spin it your nick name can now be the spin doctor..
Our troops aren’t just a bunch partying of addicts! Put issues like drug use in the military in a true light or context and I won’t complain Juston. You never mentioned extended deployment, and increased injuries and wound treatment, or battlefield trauma as in, 'Post Traumatic Stress,' as factors in Painkiller Use Juston. Put it in a context and don't make it sound like our troops take drugs for the fun of it! That's my point “Prescription drug abuse by U.S. troops has risen significantly, with pain killer abuse within the previous year up 120% in 2008 as compared to 2005, according to new survey results that highlight the continued tolls of current wars and multiple deployments." Speaking the truth includes putting things in a true light and I feel you fail that test most of the time.
Middle-Class Mike
If people read this blog they know I never wrote what you are implying.Your trying to make it look like I am putting them down while guess what spin doctor?I have recieved thanks from my brother in law who is stationed in Solerno Afganistan A flag was flown on my families behalf signed by commanding LTC,MS,US commanding, Army I won't throw his name out like water it was flown over the base on December 11,2011 You are the one who continues to put down our troops by saying they are there on false pretenses.They are there becouse they protect the things that are vital including Opium wich is used here in the states to treat not only our troops but our elderly,Vets,& other wounded.To bad you don't get to hear things the way you want.Mike the truth is like I said in my post.Go kiss the ground & say thank you George for keeping my family safe..Protecting our intrest.We are protecting the world,George Bush is a christian man who yes made some mistakes but in the over all I score him very high for what he had to face as a leader.I thank God for the troops who protect my family everyday.The reason you chase my post is becouse you know Im right.You feel threatend by my insight...
Mikey, many members of your own party voted for the move on Iraq. Many members of your own party cited WMD's. You gotta grow out of this. Taking Saddam out was the right thing to do. Sometimes decisions get made that people don't agree with. Contrast that with your man today, who looks at an exploding deficit and SS problems and looks the other way. That new hat could have done so much for you. Is there any chance that you will learn to think independently during your lifetime? Or are you forever locked in to Donkey think on every issue that comes your way? It is a fair question, Mr Mike. Will everything always be by the party line?
I didn't say I wouldn't have gone into Iraq or Viet-Nam for that matter. I do say be clear why you’re going in and don't fabricate falsehoods, because eventually that will undermine the effort your committing too. Juston, your falsehoods and attacks on other people are a matter of record with people like Dan and myself. Why get so hysterical about it, when you’re obviously comfortable doing it; you just hate that from time to time we call you on it.
MCM
Dear ole Mike,your still trying to fit in stop trying so hard.You have never seen me hysterical...I just post circles around you.Should Donald run yes he should!!! you don't phase me spin doctor..My life is to good.Your negative vibe is felt on here by many.All Democrats need lap dogs Mike ,we know thats what you are.LMAO
Donald Trump and you say I'm reaching Juston, your laugh out loud funny. Someday I hope I can do a face to face debate on subject of interest to both parties with you on the Mayor's show, just so we can see how you can't think on your feet!
MCM
Mikey, please stop running that photo of youself being such a humanitarian. Contact people who believe your baloney. Take a vote. Even they will tell you you it just doesn't look good. Wrong message.
So you rant on about GW taking out Sadamm in Iraq, and now you admit that you might have made the same decision yourself. Then you finally admit the Brits, and the entire UN Security Council by the way, were in agreement, but only out of loyalty to GW. And I'm creating "falsehoods".
OK Mike.
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