MANFREDEYE NEWS AND OPINIONS

No, not the puny space between his ears, but all of Outer Space. In a new National Space Policy released two weeks ago the administration stated that its number one priorities were to “strengthen the nation’s space leadership and ensure that space capabilities are available in time to further U.S. national security, homeland security, and foreign security policy objectives,” and also to “strengthen and maintain the national security of the United States.”

Further, “Freedom of action in space is as important to the United States as air power and sea power,” and the Policy goes on to state that future arms control agreements that might limit U.S. space options are to be rejected outright and that the U.S. claims the right to deny access to space to anyone “hostile to U.S. interests.”

Pretty ambitious, huh? Even for the baddest bully on the block. I’m sure Russia was surprised to learn that they are only there due to America’s beneficence. And no doubt China and India and any other country that might have been contemplating space exploration are not very happy, either. This doctrine is an unabashed grab for world power.

Of course, private spacecraft will be allowed–subject to approval from Washington–but one can bet that nearly all of these will belong to mega-corporations whose continued proliferation will benefit nobody except the already ultra-rich, and will further open the gap between rich and poor.

And beyond our piddly planet, our solar system? The Bush Space Policy assumes authority over the entire galaxy, the entire universe. Isn’t this the type of arrogance that might bring the wrath of the Klingon Empire down upon us? Just kidding there, but hey, you never know. When you proclaim your self-importance and imperviousness to the universe, there are probably others out there–or maybe even here–that you didn’t count on. Overreaching is the way most empires begin their decline.