TheMadCap

Or, it could go the way of the VentureStar. BILLIONS flushed down the crapper because the design they spent 10 years on didn't work. To be honest, I don't really see any reason at present to have a manned program at all. What would our guys be doing up there anyways? Until NASA gets a clue and decides to actually try and accomplish some manner of long term goal, let them focus on probes. I will state the fact that the assclowns at NASA know, have known about forever, and will not admit: The shuttle is a flying death-trap with a flawed design that just isn't economically worth what we get out of it. Take a look at the damage to the ET. THis was taken right after ET separation: http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/...BjEyRH9k3yGmg-- But this comedy gets even better fellow taxpayers: http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/63756main_PAL_FACT_SHEET.pdf "The External Tank Project Office has re-evaluated the existing design of the tank’s protuberance air load ramps -- known as PAL ramps – because the ramps, which consist of thick, manually sprayed layers of foam, could, if liberated, become a source of debris... NASA plans to fly the next tank, ET 120, with the current design configuration. Three redesign options under consideration for future flights include elimination of the ramps; reducing the ramps to “mini” ramps, about one-third the size of the present ramps; or building a trailing edge “fence” on the back side of the cable tray." So in effect, what this says is, even though they lost one orbiter due to the faulty design of this ET, they decided to let it ride, came within a breath of destroying Discovery, and they just decided to fix it later. Nice. They will NEVER solve the foam problem. And yes, it has happened many times: http://www.floridatoday.com/columbia/colum...ory2A44772A.htm The only way to do it is to not use the insulation. However, they wouldn't be able to launch the shuttle in it's present configuration, it's too heavy. Because it is designed to lift satalites into high -velocity orbit, the shuttle requires the thrust of both those nasty boosters and that huge bomb called the ET. The point is, without spending millions on redesigning the ET, YET AGAIN, the shuttle will never be safe enough to fly. We don't even need it, we can hitch a ride to the ISS from the Russians, and use our other rockets to launch satalites. Hell, I'd rather see them spend the dough to commit to the shuttle C heavy lift vehicle at this point. BUt you see, the shuttle needs to fly to support it's bastard child, the ISS and vice-versa. Oh one more thing. The folks who build the ET, you know, the ONLY friggin company in the world who can, is building the cores for the next generation heavy lifter. As an added bonus for that lovely orange nightmare, they were promised by head assclown M. Giffen the rights to build the crew capsule for the new CEV. Good job fellas!!!

Worst case, Nick, you could just suck it up a few more months, it's not that long...

Supposedly a piece of tile from the belly of the craft. Looks like that patch kit is going to get a real in-the-field trial by fire....

Well, screw you guys then....

100% correct. NASA was very close to losing Atlantis in 1998 to a similar foam strike that doomed Columbia...

Throw Dan Patrick in there to yell every time a pass is completed and it will be the big crunch.....

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Good fricking thing I play pool on Mondays and plan on watching zero games this year. Now I KNOW I won't be watching any...

Me too Rockpile. But I have zero respect (and faith) for the administration of NASA, it has almost ruined the whole thing for me....

I have a nice, cool finished basement with a 42" Plasma and a pool table. Bar coming soon. Anybody interested in coming by to watch one with me? Not the opener because I'll be in NY for that one...

Awesome! Is that what you would call an Assclown?

Dont worry, a wing will fall off and it will be postponed yet again...

Not too mention that punctuation.....

On the contrary, I think that is EXACTLY the problem. Too many stupid people out there reproducing...

oh no, not another Unions and Wal-mart thread...

THey should wait until the Haj to do it... NOTE: Sarcasm applied...

The theater was PACKED with them when I saw it last Sunday. My friend and I were the only ones over 18 in there most likely. I can't tell you how horrid some of the behavior was there, talking on cell phones (?), yapping through the whole thing, getting up running around. I sound like a grumpy old man everytime I go. And I am not one to be shy when it comes to yelling at people to shut up....

2004 Bills season highlights are on NFL network this Saturday at 9pm...

Great Idea! Clone panda-troopers!

Exactly! I feel exactly the same way. I was very glad to see Mr. Bucket in this movie, and he had his same old job, screwing caps on toothpaste tubes. As I said above, very faithfull to the novel, with the addition of Wonka's father sub-plot...

Wow. I am not sure if I am qualified to give advice in this matter. I will answer as if it were me this happened to. I would make sure the dirtbag goes away to federal P.M.I.T.A. prison for as long as possible. I would definitely testify and do whatever I need to do. About the other thing. I am just not sure. I don't think you should live life paranoid about some nutjob. Chances are, he's just what he is, a molester. I doubt his fortitude to commit a more serious crime in harming you or your family. Good luck!

sigh, yes BIB, some people actually do care. That's why they're "experts". Same as the bald eagle here in the US, the panda is the national symbol of China, thus, they want to preserve it...

Much more accurate with respect to the book than the first edition. The children were cast PERFECTLY. I didn't care too much for the father subplot for Wonka, but it didn't totally ruin the movie or anything. The oompaloompas were great, I like how they changed up the songs a bit. I think Wonka was much more realistic, that is, he didn't seem to care or try to prevent the children from messing up. Definitely much darker than the original. Bringing back the squirrels from the book was great! Exactly how the heck do you train a squirrel to shell a wallnut without eating it? All in all, a nice addition to the legacy, and even though I don't care in the least for Depp's political stances, he is a great actor...

People have learned enough in the last 15 years to actually be successfull at breeding them, and the real trick, keeping them alive until adulthood...

Oh no, Not the "Itchy, itchy, poo-poo, ka-ka" song???

It is mearly a prolouge for what is to come. This agent was sent by our lord and master to infiltrate the human city and determine which is ripe for attack by panda-ninjas. Quiver in fear as you witness the awesome agility the first wave of attackers, able to leap from roof to roof with ease. The time is comming, very soon now....