"First, I don't think Geoff was performing political vandalism if such a thing was possible. Polictics are part and parcel of life so either get a thicker skin folks or don't read this stuff."

Amen.

"I would like to respond here about this being about the educational "system" of the USA. It simply put it is not.

It's about intelligent well educated people not choosing NASA as an employer. Not a lack of educated people."

Strange as it may seem I agree that NASA main problem with recruiting the "best" is lack if interest in working at NASA.
But at same time, I don't agree that what NASA *really* needs the best from science field. I think mainly NASA needs people who will be good government employees. So people who understand all the rules and regulations that the government is making, is a essential skill. Now, all these bureaucrats, should also have a basic understanding of science- which they don't.

So, for government employees we need people who know how to act morally. We need people who know how to lead. We need people who understand basic economics. We need people to understand the role of government, in the unique society that has one of it's tenets, the pursuit of Happiness. In short, we need people who are educated.

Some more people who have some specialized skill in archiving and disseminating information would also be handy.

"NASA and Space Exploration are getting very poor PR by sticking around in LEO and having nutty people running around NASA. The few anti-Mars Society/Amatuer Space Cadet posts by NASA employees here show the levels of intelligence found now at the agency!"

I don't know what your specific gripe is, but the PR dept has been lacking for quite some time.

"This disinterest by the younger graduate might be in part formed by the lack of support by teachers is true, but only in part. Society in general, Television News and NASA have just as much if not more to do with this problem."

Look it's simple. Just look at the NASA astronauts waiting in line. Who wants to wait in line? And how much effort and time was required for the honor of waiting in line?
That is the tip of the iceburg.
All the people at NASA need to mesmerize, this line:
"Socialism has never worked, and Socialism will never ever get humans into space."