Thursday, February 17, 2005
How Could This Have Happened?
"America's lead in education and research that enabled the country to leap ahead of other nations and into space is eroding as competitors catch up to the U.S. in math and science, said former astronaut and Sen. John Glenn.
"Glenn, 84, spoke Wednesday at the Distinguished Speaker Series at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and received a standing ovation when introduced as "a true American hero." In 1962, Glenn piloted the Mercury-Atlas 6 Friendship 7 spacecraft on the United State's first manned orbital mission.
"He made history again in 1998 when, at the age of 77, he became the oldest astronaut in history during a nine-day mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery.
"Cut backs in education and research are causing America to lose its once commanding lead in scientific fields, he said."
Now, I wonder how that happened.
