I-35 bridge collapes, in Minneapolis Options

[cupcake]

we're too busy building bridges in zimbabwe to spend those resources here...

[Inferia]

or too busy fighting a certain war...

[Hartmann]

or too busy fighting a certain war...

Road repairs and maintenance are funded by state governments, much like levees (hint, hint) so the funds don't come out of federal reserves.

[impala454]

I think of it this way. In the 60's and 70's we were going to the moon, now we're struggling to put people in orbit.

struggling to put people in orbit? while yes the moon missions were awesome accomplishments, we've accomplished far more here in orbit. we went from putting a tiny one seater with almost no cargo into orbit with a monkey, to putting a re-useable vehicle into orbit that can carry 25 tons of cargo. the shuttle has had 2 failures in 118 missions. The Apollo program had 2 failures in 12 missions. I don't see how the hell you could say we're "struggling to put people in orbit" and compare that to the 60s & 70s.

[Inferia]

Road repairs and maintenance are funded by state governments, much like levees (hint, hint) so the funds don't come out of federal reserves.

where as compared to fixing roads in zimbabwe is out of MN state funds...

[Hartmann]

struggling to put people in orbit? while yes the moon missions were awesome accomplishments, we've accomplished far more here in orbit. we went from putting a tiny one seater with almost no cargo into orbit with a monkey, to putting a re-useable vehicle into orbit that can carry 25 tons of cargo. the shuttle has had 2 failures in 118 missions. The Apollo program had 2 failures in 12 missions. I don't see how the hell you could say we're "struggling to put people in orbit" and compare that to the 60s & 70s.

Last I checked, the Shuttle was still using computers built in the 1980's... If another industry was to do the same thing they'd call them nuts. It costs more to put the Shuttle in orbit one time than it cost for a moon landing.

My point is the progress, or the lack their of. There are stretches of interstate that are in absolutely horrid conditions (I-35 between Austin and Dallas comes to mind).

[Hartmann]

where as compared to fixing roads in zimbabwe is out of MN state funds...

I didn't say anything to cupcake's post because it wasn't a blatant attempt to place blame on the administration of this country for this incident (which is what your comment did).

It is just amazing to me how many people immediately turn their attention to Bush on a few issues but don't want to give him any credit for the good things happening (*cough* economy *cough*)

[Inferia]

I didn't say anything to cupcake's post because it wasn't a blatant attempt to place blame on the administration of this country for this incident (which is what your comment did).

It is just amazing to me how many people immediately turn their attention to Bush on a few issues but don't want to give him any credit for the good things happening (*cough* economy *cough*)

I'm sorry, but I beg to differ.

[Hartmann]

I'm sorry, but I beg to differ.

Beg to differ about what? The economy?

Well, the unemployment has hovered around 4.6% one of the lowest numbers in the last 20 years (http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm). No one gives credit to Bush for that, even though he said he'd create jobs.

[GOB]

It is just amazing to me how many people immediately turn their attention to Bush on a few issues but don't want to give him any credit for the good things happening (*cough* economy *cough*)

agreed. especially when bitchy immigrant cunts are the ones doing it.

[Melanie]

I do believe that Interstate maintenance funds come from the Congress through appropriations. Don't mean to be arguing, but just a little FYI.

[impala454]

Last I checked, the Shuttle was still using computers built in the 1980's...

that's because it would cost them more to replace all of those systems than it would be worth.

If another industry was to do the same thing they'd call them nuts. It costs more to put the Shuttle in orbit one time than it cost for a moon landing.

that's because the shuttle can carry 25 tons of shit with it.

My point is the progress, or the lack their of. There are stretches of interstate that are in absolutely horrid conditions (I-35 between Austin and Dallas comes to mind).

So how does this relate to the space program?

step 1. gather underpants
step 2. ---
step 3. profit!

step 1. omg we dont go to the moon anymore, even though we've put hundreds of insanely important satellites into orbit and do regular study which has huge impacts on our lives.
step 2. ---
step 3. omg our roads suck

nobody was out talking about road conditions until this stupid incident. this is starting to sound as stupid as the people who wanted to jet-fuel-fire-proof every skyscraper in the country after 9/11.

[James]

I do believe that Interstate maintenance funds come from the Congress through appropriations. Don't mean to be arguing, but just a little FYI.

True story. Individual state DOTs engineer the roads and submit proposals to the federal DOT for funding.

[Melanie]

True story. Individual state DOTs engineer the roads and submit proposals to the federal DOT for funding.

mmhmm. I used to have to deal with angry constituents in Austin all the time about highways in District 118. Now I have to deal with angry constituents in San Antonio about highways in Congressional District 23. It's a whole bunch of BS. But fun none-the-less. I like the stories constituents call us about. Most people don't know what their municipal, state, and federal representatives are either there for or what services they can call for.

[Hartmann]

Yes, for new roads or extensions of the roads the federal government funds them but I thought maintenance (filling pot holes, safety barricades, etc.) was funded with state money.