BTW, not sure why this subject is less "space-related" than the environmental notes that pop up on the Space section now and then, but it ain't my call.

I understand your point. It wasn't a simple decision. The off-topicness wasn't a matter of one kind of science versus another, or even the political content. Many threads naturally drift into politics over on Space; what pushed my button was the overt desire to establish a political thread that was offtopic from the beginning. The thread was entirely political, using alleged opposition to space as one more premise to bash Liberals.

("Alleged" is right--you did a nice a job of fleshing out the discussion beyond that one dimension.)

Finally, I find the topic interesting, and I want to post, which made the off-topicness more of an issue. I'd have been sanctioning it if I posted, and giving up the ability to turn a blind eye. I'd have preferred to ignore it, but SDAI-Tech1 waved that red flag in my face.

Responding will have to wait until later, though. Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to the salt mines I go.

--Robert