Colonizing Other Planets

This is a letter to the editor from The Olympian newspaper. I feel strongly about this issue and agree with the author, that it is wrong to invest so heavily in space exploration, when we are causing harm to this planet that we depend on...

Catch the next rocket to inhabitable planet

A recent headlines read, "Rocket ship blasts into space. It looked like a new star being born."

The purpose of this event was to place a telescope into orbit and that wonderful invention will seek out other planets that could be like our Earth.

The article doesn't list the cost to the taxpayers for this wonderful event, but I can't help but wonder about the thousands of people recently out of a job, people without homes or food, and those who wonder about how to pay for the next meal or medical coverage.

I wonder if they are as confused as I when I note that we don't seem to be able to take care of the world that we have, so why are we (you and I) spending a few million dollars looking for another Earth?

Wait, maybe I know the answer.

This world is in some deep trouble. If another fresh, clean world is found, then all of the people that still have the most bucks can grab a rocket and head on over to the new digs.

Robert Robinson, Olympia

http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/v-print/story/792985.html