European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 01, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Put Bucks where our future is space exploration Max Shadle recent articles in the newspaper have Dis cussed problems that Nasa has Bee having with design proposals for the space station Freedom. It seems that budget considerations arc rapidly erod ing what conceptually should be a grand technological achievement for the United states. Unfortunately if the narrow minded legislators currently wielding the budget a have their Way what we will end up with in space is the equivalent of an orbiting Porta potty with solar panels. Such a scaled Dow version of the space station will be less effective and will doom it to eventual fiscal failure. The attitude that lawmakers arc displaying with regard to Freedom s design and funding is terribly nearsighted. It reflects a Lack of the adventurous pioneering spirit that helped shape America and that opening laugh Moser Zurich Switzerland Hame Spoa Finland its such a Beautiful Day 1 decided to walk Home has been the hallmark of civilization. Throughout the centuries Mankind has constantly been in search of new frontiers to discover explore and colonize. This insatiable desire to explore new worlds has Leto countless new discoveries dramatic technological growth and continual advancement of civilization. In the 1960s and 70s America was heavily committed to exploring the newest Frontier that of space. President Kennedy committed the nation to Landing a Man on the Moon and his enthusiasm and vision helped unite americans behind the space pro Gram. Public interest in the space program during this period was nearly at a fever pitch. Rocket launches were televised continual updates were shown on prime time flight status captured new headlines and space Memorabilia was everywhere. Each astronaut was practically a household  was devoted to this new adventure and every american took Pride in our achievements. Enthusiasm for the space program was further inspired by a sense of Competition with the soviet. Union in the race to Moon. Now the Only Competition to the american space program is from the nay Sayers in Congress who claim there is no Money for further space exploration. At a time when our space program should be dramatically expanding be cause of our tremendous technological capabilities it is left floundering As a result of budget cuts made by legislators who have neither the political courage nor the vision to support a project such As Freedom s development which could serve As a springboard to an expedition to Mars. What is needed is loud Public support directed at the president vice president and every member of Congress urging them hot to let our space program die because of insufficient funding. The unite states does not have to Bear the entire fiscal Burden of funding Freedom s develop men development. And construction of the space station should be an International Effort with All participating nations sharing in the expense. Such a cooperative Effort would be Well suited to exploration and eventual colonization of a Frontier currently unhampered by political social or economic boundaries. For such an Effort to be successful the United states must take a Strong Lead in Freedom s development. I urge everybody to tace a few moments and write to president Clinton vice president Gore and to your senators and representative. To assist in this Effort i will provide you names and mailing addresses of them. I can also provide Sample copies of letters to Send so that if you wish All you have to do is sign the letter and mail it. I also have forms available to use As petitions so that you can organize support within your school club Church group military unit stairwell Etc. If you need any Tif these items please write to Max Shadle to Usa eur car 420, Box 1293, Apoate 09063. We owe this Opportunity to our generation and to future generations. Help keep our nation s Pioneer spirit alive and voice your support now for full development of the space station Freedom., Max Shade Woric in Heidelberg Germany. Send in your column plus photo of yourself to be our guest sunday Magazine the stars and stripes " Apo 09211 or Postrach 1114 37, d-6100 Darmstadt 11, Germany. Contents Meg Ryan and Bui Pullman in sleepless in Seattle which May have trouble pulling i men. Page 8. To Star from the cover 4-6invading Normandy forthe 50th. Al Loti Tony Kom Ciser tells a Long Tail woj a a a tit Wio killed Bob Crane it i Harrison Ford s stamp on the fugitive. " Dave Barry on our sunday is a weekly supplement of the stars and stripes editor Buck Fox Art direction Susan Harris production Bernard Jensen editorial assistance Louis Pierce i Page sunday August 1, 1993