"Overhead projector"

[Theophylact]

Just in case you were wondering what McCain was talking about.

[surreal]

Yep Beemer posted about it in another thread.

It really drives home the point that McCain doesn't understand technology and education doesn't it?

[Chuckiechan]

Why should the Federal Government pay for it?

I want one too!

[jokostel]

same here!
I also want the govt to buy me a new pickup.

[Chuckiechan]

I presume Theo and Surreal are both in bankrupt blue states, and have not even thought about raising the money from private donors, and donation drives.

Why shovel my money into your personal pork project? Don't you have something called State tax?

Wasn't there something in that bill about repainting all of the gold globes on the top of flagpoles, too?

And how about the one for hiring people to scrape off pigeon droppings for bio fuel!

[jokostel]

Amen.

[Beemer]

Adler Planetarium's Statement on Obama-McCain Debate

STATEMENT ABOUT SENATOR JOHN McCAIN’S COMMENTS AT THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

Last night, during the presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee, Senator John McCain made the following statement:

McCain: “While we were working to eliminate these pork barrel earmarks he (Senator Obama) voted for nearly $1 billion in pork barrel earmark projects. Including $3 million for an overhead projector at a planetarium in Chicago, Illinois. My friends, do we need to spend that kind of money?”

To clarify, the Adler Planetarium requested federal support – which was not funded – to replace the projector in its historic Sky Theater, the first planetarium theater in the Western Hemisphere. The Adler’s Zeiss Mark VI projector – not an overhead projector – is the instrument that re-creates the night sky in a dome theater, the quintessential planetarium experience. The Adler’s projector is nearly 40 years old and is no longer supported with parts or service by the manufacturer. It is only the second planetarium projector in the Adler’s 78 years of operation.

Science literacy is an urgent issue in the United States. To remain competitive and ensure national security, it is vital that we educate and inspire the next generation of explorers to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Senator McCain’s statements about the Adler Planetarium’s request for federal support do not accurately reflect the museum's legislative history or relationship with Senator Obama. The Adler has approached the Illinois Congressional delegation the last few years for federal assistance with various initiatives. These have included museum exhibitions, equipment and educational programs we offer to area schools, including the Chicago Public Schools.

We have made requests to Senators Durbin and Obama, as well as to 6 area Congressmen from both political parties. We are grateful that all of the Members we have approached, including Senator Obama, have deemed our activities worthy of their support, and have made appropriations requests on our behalf, as they have for many worthy Illinois nonprofit organizations.

As a result of the hard work of our bipartisan congressional delegation, the Adler has been fortunate to receive a few federal appropriations the past couple of years. However, the Adler has never received an earmark as a result of Senator Obama's efforts. This is clearly evidenced by recent transparency laws implemented by the Congress, which have resulted in the names of all requesting Members being listed next to every earmark in the reports that accompany appropriations bills.

Chuck and jokostel
Have either of you been to a planetarium?

Will jokostel leave the keys in his new pick-up so the rest of his community will have access to it?

A couple of other questions.

Did McCain misrepresent what the device is?

Did Obama vote on the appropriation bill containing the earmark as McCain said?

[MTAtech]

Originally Posted by Chuckiechan

Why should the Federal Government pay for it?

I want one too!

I've already got one, it's very nice.

While one can argue that the feds shouldn't pay for it, it can't be argued that it's a waste of money. It's a highly useful educational tool.

Earmarks are a fact of life that isn't worth our breathe. They amount to $18 billion in a $3 Trillion budget.

[The Real Bingo]

Originally Posted by MTAtech

I've already got one, it's very nice.

While one can argue that the feds shouldn't pay for it, it can't be argued that it's a waste of money. It's a highly useful educational tool.

Earmarks are a fact of life that isn't worth our breathe. They amount to $18 billion in a $3 Trillion budget.

Great attitude. Our national deficit is $500 billion, but our GDP is over $13 trillion, so who cares?

[Disley]

Originally Posted by jokostel

same here!
I also want the govt to buy me a new pickup.

Get a job in a bank then.