First off I wish to apologize for posting my 'rant' (Re: public funding of certain research projects & programs) On your "Space Elevator" thread :( - I had intended placement of said post on another thread (the identity of which, in eschewal of WWIII, will remain undisclosed ;-) )

FWIW, I feel public funding of "Space Elevator" research and implementation are well within 'bounds'... I have long felt that 'Reaction craft' as applied to surface-to-'space' transit are inherently dangerous, excessively costly and a bit 'primitive' --- Whereas "Space Elevator" (i.e. 'climber') technology offers much to its favor on all these fronts (to say nothing of 'spin-off' technologies...)

As for your (I assume rhetorical) Gibe? - I wish to state that 'Sarandon' is my family name *NOT* a political statement! :-)

Very best regards
Dan Sarandon