Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller for July 05, 2011
Transcript:
Danae: So what's the physics problem you're trying to work out, Jeffrey? Jeffrey: The Pentagon's research agency has a contest to come up with an idea on how to send people to another solar system. Danae: Cool! What's the prize? Jeffrey: Half a million dollars. Danae: OK, I'm in!! How do I sign up? Jeffrey: Um... it's by invitation only, to the top 150 minds in the country. Danae: Whoa! I better get home and check the mail. Jeffrey: Yes, by all means, go do that.
pouncingtiger over 13 years ago
Danae’s delusional/disillusioned and Jeffrey’s glad that she’s gone.
bagbalm over 13 years ago
I just realized what would work – but now I need to save it for a book…
weasel_monkey over 13 years ago
About 0.58% of the US Federal Budget is directed towards NASA for all of its programs. Between 28-38% of the Budget is earmarked for the DoD of which the Pentagon is part… and yet they can only offer a paltry $500k for an idea on how to take the human race to another solar system? Priorities?
Coyoty Premium Member over 13 years ago
The Pentagon is really doing that.
My invitation apparently got lost, too.
fullyloaded55 over 13 years ago
The answer is right before us…the U.S. Mail Service…It’s faster than the speed of light and half the cost of it’s competition…LOL…
farmermatt over 13 years ago
Danae already appears to be living on another planet.
Sandfan over 13 years ago
I get these invites all the time. They’re sent by a front organization called Publisher’s Clearing House.
GROG Premium Member over 13 years ago
You may already be a winner!
Can't Sleep over 13 years ago
Uh-huh, and who’s on the list of people the Pentagon are planning to send? (Can I make some suggestions?)
The frightening thought is that the Pentagon plan sounds real. (Tell me it’s not so, Wiley!)
wittyvegan over 13 years ago
@towerwarlock: You are mixing something up. It is the Tea Party that complains all the time if decisions are left to experts … sorry: elites.
lewisbower over 13 years ago
A waste is a terrible thing to mind.
Justice22 over 13 years ago
I like Danae’s confidence. Going a loooong way in this world.
palos over 13 years ago
As others have alluded, the contest appears to involve one way tickets
Lawrence Stetz Premium Member over 13 years ago
I think the brainiacs would be more interested in proving that the could figure out the problem than the money.
puddleglum1066 over 13 years ago
I don’t know why they’ve organized this “contest.” By their own admission, the DoD has been routinely performing operations in other solar systems since at least 2009. See this Air Force recruiting ad:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzAoBzQv0jA Note the setting, a planet with two (very large) moons, and note the tag line: “IT’S NOT SCIENCE FICTION. IT’S WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY.” (But look quickly, as the Air Force seems to have been trying to make this ad disappear since early 2010.)
freeholder1 over 13 years ago
Danae is the perfect example of modern education telling a kid over and over that she should be confident and proud even when she doesn’t study or learn or pay attention to anyone else. Explains the Kardashians.
freeholder1 over 13 years ago
Basil: you might also point out how NASA as a civilian run agency returned $8 for every $1 invested and only started losing money once the DOD could steal…er, re-appropriate funds from it. Kind of like where all the money went from Soc Sec.
wynot over 13 years ago
Are they red because they’re afflicted with sunburn?
bmonk over 13 years ago
Will they contact Chap Foey Rider? (see: http://www.amazon.com/Chap-Foey-Rider-Capitalist-Stars/dp/1587151960)
freeholder1 over 13 years ago
g: i raised one of these. Trust me. They may be alien, but they have plenty of help staying that way from idiot administrators and misguided teachers who have been rid of any real enforcement powers.
dflak over 13 years ago
Jeffery might be the only male in Wiley’s universe that truly understands women.
Varnes over 13 years ago
weasel_monkey, they should do what Eisenhower did with the interstate highway system. Declare it vital to our national defense, and fund it through the defense budget. NASA would have more money than it could ever find uses for……Just like the Pentagram….
Varnes over 13 years ago
Line from the new Jim Lauderdale and Robert Hunter bluegrass CD, Reason and Rhyme.Blackbird sitting on a daisy chain Sayin’ come in out of the rain. Why not just postpone the war, Feed your hungry, clothe your poor, Before you take your sword back out again…
Biltil Premium Member over 13 years ago
Sad thing is, based on the history of government thought, Danae is probably in the top 150 thinkers
freeholder1 over 13 years ago
plowshears everywhere thank you, Varnes.
Ernest Lemmingway over 13 years ago
I wonder sort of gasket Danae will blow when she realizes she’s not on the list? Or worse, she uses Jeffrey to submit her own ridiculous idea and it’s the WINNER because politicos know as much about reality as she does? If I sound cynical about our leaders, it’s because I helped elect them.