National Park on the Moon?!

[FastHands]

Is this real life?

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/07/10/national-park-on-the-moon_n_3573308.html?utm_hp_ref=technology&ir=Technology

Its astronauts haven't been there since 1972, but US legislators have proposed declaring a national park on the surface of the Moon to protect the hallowed turf of the Apollo landings.

US representatives Donna Edwards of Maryland and Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas proposed the idea to prevent potential damage in the event of a commercial enterprise setting up shop on our natural satellite.

"As commercial enterprises and foreign nations acquire the ability to land on the moon it is necessary to protect the Apollo landing sites for posterity; and establishing the Historical Park under this Act will expand and enhance the protection and preservation of the Apollo lunar landing sites and provide for greater recognition and public understanding of this singular achievement in American history," the legislation says.

[FastHands]

Well I had 2 simultaneous thoughts, despite understanding the desire to protect a historic site:

1) We're doing a great job funding/sustaining the ones that are, yeno, on this planet
2) Is the moon a US territory now? Guam, the moon... I mean, I know we did plant a flag and all. And since there aren't people living there yet, I guess we have more right to it than we did to the country we have *now*.

[FastHands]

And as for being born 100 years to early, just be glad you weren't born 100 years EARLIER. You'll feel better.

[Deleted]

So even if it is true, I feel really weird about us "claiming" something on the moon. I mean - it isn't really US territory to claim and put a national park on.

[angelaa73]

Why not? Finders keepers!

[sergey]

Somewhat related- I read an article a while ago about moon-travel companies taking outrageous non-refundable amounts of money as deposits for private trips to the moon and how it's basically (obviously) a huge scam because it won't happen in these people's lifetime.

[FastHands]

I don't think anyone should own the moon or settle it. Research it if you must, but GTFO. We've fucked up this planet enough. Leave the moon alone so at least our tides are in order. lol

[sonrisa]

Yay! American hubris! Next let's patent the America Gene.

[FastHands]

How would they decide who from earth gets to go? What's the habitable area as compared to earth? I assume it's just the super rich who'd go.

OMG YOU GUYS.. if an asteroid comes, the rich right wingers will go to the moon! I never thought I'd wish for the impending end of the world, but holy (if brief) awesomesauce.

[FastHands]

"Oh, my bad. I guess we totally WERE ruining the planet. Good luck with that. Beam me up!"