Speedball: I think that was one of the orginal ideas of the space program. The cutting-edge developments and technologies performed for the space program were supposed trickle down (as it were) to the civilian or private sector. The trouble is, we don't publicly see trickle down technology any more, at least not any that is publicized. and given all of the tax dollars and other funding, I think that's only fair. If anything, it's NASAs fault for not pushing the envelope and inventing something better than analog tape! NASA has dropped the ball IMO.
Ncarv: no. The Joes are the people who elected him. But GWB would also be one too. :-) To poorly quote (I believe Nanderson): Would you trust a society that still uses time travel for its trash disposal?
