[meteorite-list] NASA SETI Misappropriation of Tax Payer Funds

From: Mendy Ouzillou <ouzillou_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2012 14:09:19 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <1351890559.54861.YahooMailNeo_at_web126206.mail.ne1.yahoo.com>

I'm sure the reporter misquoted and misunderstood some of the things they were told but this paragraph is still disturbing on so many levels:

Jenniskens told Rivera that the space rock is one of only 20 ever found of that particular type.
"All the researchers are stoked because it's a really rare one," Rivera said.
Jenniskens invited Rivera to join him and another scientist on the
airship ride over Novato and parts of unincorporated Sonoma County,
following the trajectory of the Oct. 17 fireball. Rivera said he took an oath not to tell what they saw for fear that rogue meteorite hunters ?
eager to sell galactic collectibles on eBay ??might pounce on new
potential meteorite locations and rob scientists' ability to research
more rocks.

http://novato.patch.com/articles/hunt-goes-on-for-more-meteorites#photo-12000260

Mendy







>________________________________
> From: Mendy Ouzillou <ouzillou at yahoo.com>
>To: Greg Hup? <gmhupe at centurylink.net>; "meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
>Sent: Friday, November 2, 2012 1:51 PM
>Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] NASA SETI Misappropriation of Tax Payer Funds
>
>Greg,
>
>
>If I could agree more than 100%, I would.
>
>Some of the "blimp" reports claim the researchers are looking for likely areas to hunt.? Crater or no, why can't they do this using Google Maps and Google Earth like the rest of us.
>
>My second issue, is why is a private citizen being given a free ride.? What are this person's credentials that he can add scientific value or meteorite hunting expertise?? I want to go on the blimp - sounds like fun and at least I know what one looks like.? Even better why not reach out to the professional meteorite hunters on this list who have shown success over years of hunting in different countries, terrains and conditions and work together towards a common goal.? I'm willing to bet that 1 hour strategizing with one of you pro hunters would pay off infinitely more than 1 month in a tax-payer waste of money blimp.
>
>Finally, I have always been a strong supporter of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). This sort of thing makes me reconsider that support, especially in TERRESTRIAL matters where they are not the experts.
>
>Grrrrr ...
>
>Mendy
>
>>>________________________________
>>> From: Greg Hup? <gmhupe at centurylink.net>
>>>To: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>>>Sent: Friday, November 2, 2012 1:10 PM
>>>Subject: [meteorite-list] NASA SETI Misappropriation of Tax Payer Funds
>>>
>>>To All Concerned US Tax Payers...
>>>
>>>I have been troubled by what is a clear misappropriation of US tax payer funds by NASA/SETI. At a time of this country's financial crisis, this is no time to squander our tax dollars!!
>>>
>>>We have all seen and read about 'The Blimp" that was, as stated in the article link below, "... a NASA-hired airship." Not only are they using a privately owned "Blimp" for frivolous and far-fetched 'research', but they are also giving free joy rides to private citizens as stated from the article, "Glenn Rivera [a private citizen] was invited by astronomers [NASA/SETI] to hunt for more meteorite crash-landing sites from a NASA-hired airship."
>>>
>>>In recent conversations, I and many of my colleagues and some NASA scientists (who wish to remain anonymous), have all concluded that finding meteorites [of any size] is completely impossible and a waste of tax payer dollars! How can one think you can spot a black rock the size of
>a dime, a golf ball or even a basketball from an altitude of 1000 feet?
>>>
>>>The only entity that benefits from these dream hunts is the private company who owns "The Blimp". They get paid by NASA for use of "The Blimp" and they also benefit from all of the free advertising with their logos and web addresses emblazoned on the sides of "The Blimp"!
>>>
>>>As far as I am concerned, hunting for meteorites floating in the sky is full of hot air!
>>>
>>>Here is the link the the article I reference:
>>>http://novato.patch.com/articles/hunt-goes-on-for-more-meteorites#photo-12000260
>>>
>>>Best Regards,
>>>Greg
>>>
>>>====================
>>>Greg Hup?
>>>The Hup? Collection
>>>gmhupe at centurylink.net
>>>www.LunarRock.com
>>>NaturesVault (eBay & Facebook)
>>>http://www.facebook.com/NaturesVault
>>>IMCA
>3163
>>>====================
>>>Click here for my current eBay auctions:
>>>http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZnaturesvault
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>
>>
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Received on Fri 02 Nov 2012 05:09:19 PM PDT