I was at my wit's end yesterday fiddling with confounding
wires and sockets trying to make my phone work. It conked out after a brief
power outage. But just as I was about to
tear my hair and bang my head against the wall in frustration, something in the
news made me chuckle.
Apparently, some 34,000 people signed a petition to the
White House for the construction of a "Death Star" in outer space to defend earth from planets hurtling towards
the us and to provide work for the unemployed.
The project was estimated to cost some (make sure you're seated) $850,000,000,000,
000. 000! Or $850 quadrillion! The
petition set project completion for 2016, three years from now.
Compelled by President Obama's policy of replying to any petition with more
than 25,000 signatories, the White House did indeed respond. Here are excerpts from a statement issued by White House official Paul Shawcross:
* The Administration does not support blowing up planets.
* Yes, we already have a giant, football field-sized International Space
Station in orbit around the Earth that's helping us learn how humans can live
and thrive in space for long durations. The Space Station has six astronauts --
American, Russian, and Canadian -- living in it right now, conducting research,
learning how to live and work in space over long periods of time, routinely
welcoming visiting spacecraft and repairing onboard garbage mashers, etc.
* If you do pursue a career in a
science, technology, engineering or math-related field, the Force will be with
us! Remember, the Death Star's power to destroy a planet, or even a whole star
system, is insignificant next to the power of the Force.
My take:
There are far more dangerous and immediate concerns that we need to work on
right where we are than anticipating the prospect of a star/comet/planet headed
our way. I give credit though to the petitioners' creativity. Now if only we
can harness that same wild imagination to address widespread aggression and
violence both towards fellow humans as well as our environment, we can cut down
on the economic and social cost of
living on planet earth. There is no need for an $850 quadrillion (!!!) "Death Star" to supposedly spur job
creation and defend earth from possible alien invaders and oncoming planets.
Unless we learn to live harmoniously and are firmly grounded on the values of Honor and Respect, we will only pollute the universe with
our "dirt."
Rather than a Death Star, we need real-life Jedis and clones of Yoda, Obi Wan Kenobi and Luke
Skywalker.
They will wield Sabers of Light to fight Darkness not far out there but where they are badly and urgently needed -- right here and now.
They will wield Sabers of Light to fight Darkness not far out there but where they are badly and urgently needed -- right here and now.
May The Force be with you!
Star Wars' Obi Wan Kenobi. Photo from thegreenhead.com |
- Ariel Murphy
need a Jedi Knight? here i am
ReplyDeleteI saw this yesterday - LOL !, But we DO have some superheroes right here on Earth, who are trying very hard to do the right thing for humanity - We all should support them in any way we can, and many are !
ReplyDelete