Newt Gingrich states we will have the 1st Moon Base and it will be American (in FL campaign speech)

Not sure how much validity this has as of yet but the following was tweeted by:

Kelly O'Donnell
@KellyO Washington, DC
NBC News. Capitol Hill Correspondent. Politics, Campaigns & Congress for TODAY, Nightly News and MSNBC.

...at 17:56 on January 25, 2011

In space country, FL, @newtgingrich promises moon colony. "We will have the first permanent base on the moon and it will be American. "

I don't have a twitter account but I was still able to confirm at least that this reporter tweeted it...



KellyO Twitter Page

This is quite an interesting claim. I realize that politicians may get "campaign woozy" and start spouting off anything to get a cheer from the crowd but this is a pretty direct claim to make on a campaign trail. He was in "Space Country" so I presume this is what the motivation to make the claim was surrounded by, none the less, I felt it may be worthy of some discussion due to the directness.

This would be such a massive undertaking that imo would require a global initiative. To claim that America would be the first and even more suggesting that this base and colony would be singular to America peaks my interests.

I leave it to ATS for discussion.

ETA: This quote was confirmed by NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams.

"We will have the first permanent base on the moon and it will be American. "

Oh man, wait until he finds out the Venusians have had a base there for decades. Won't he look like a tool then

Newt's writing checks he can't cash.

Obama lies about bringing the troop homes, Newt lies about building a moon base

"Permanent"? Is he insinuating there have been non permanent ones there before?

just what the world needs, america expanding its military onto the moon..god help us all.
and let me guess nasa will do it lol. worst idea ever. people this dumb shouldnt be allowed to live

This makes me so angry! I just get livid that this man wants to create a moon base and down here on earth we have American children going to bed hungry. And we also have people living in cars, under bridges etc.... Is a moon base really a priority?

Newt has always been a supporter of the space program. But given our current economic situation, and the Republican mindset to defund everything these days it is just posturing. The American people aren't going to go along with a costly moon colony when so many are out of work, and barely getting by. To come out and say things like this show just how out of touch with reality he is.

The more I think about this the more absurd the reality of a moon base becomes, at least for the next few generations anyway. To think that America, much less a global initiative could construct a moon base with a functioning colony is all but science fiction.

The ONLY way this would be a possibility in the very near future (and singular to America) is if construction has been occurring for some time and all that is lacking is an announcement of said base and pick the members of the colony...should we call then Lunaricans...or Moonericans?

Originally posted by AuntB
This makes me so angry! I just get livid that this man wants to create a moon base and down here on earth we have American children going to bed hungry. And we also have people living in cars, under bridges etc.... Is a moon base really a priority?

Well why don't you take some of those people under your wing then. Not all of us want every single penny spent on welfare, how about a project that advances mankind instead of just of select group of people. This Tax payer supports aggressive exploration of space.

reply to post by Fitch303
I said nothing about welfare. I do bring food to the local Christian food shelf. America is drowning in debt and he wants to build on the moon?

reply to post by Fitch303


We don't really have any business, messing the rest of the solar system until we get our current planet in order. Let alone funding a colony that for all intents and purposes will be inhabited by the military.

reply to post by Fitch303


This Tax Payer Agrees With You. Create Jobs, The Unemployed Will Work and Feed Themselves..

Going to the Moon Is A Great Idea and Job Builder.
How about mining Helium-3 from the moon and returning it to Earth and there other minerals there too.

Here is an article on Helium-3.

Mining The Moon

An Apollo astronaut argues that with its vast stores of nonpolluting nuclear fuel, our lunar neighbor holds the key to Earth's future.

www.popularmechanics.com...

Originally posted by UberL33t
The more I think about this the more absurd the reality of a moon base becomes, at least for the next few generations anyway. To think that America, much less a global initiative could construct a moon base with a functioning colony is all but science fiction.

I disagree about a few generations away. It's a funding issue IMO. If still had the funds and the motivation there are enough innovative people in this country that could be set loose to make it happen. It would push developments like laser-pulse launch platforms (ground based laser shoots a "pusher plate" to launch stuff into orbit. It could work, or it could not work, but the only way to find out is to try.) space stations, and it would pave the way for space-assembled ships. From there we could send guys to Mars and potentially mine the asteroid belt and such. Don't forget all of the inventions that spun off from NASA into the mainstream such as Teflon, WD-40, and plenty of advances in computing. I heard that every dollar pumped into NASA made 8$ of innovation. Not sure if that is true, but they certainly pushed science.

I don't think that Newt will actually do it though. Russia will win the second space race I think.

C'mon Newt old boy, man up and volunteer to be the first inhabitant. You can still take bribes and payoffs via the internet.

reply to post by FissionSurplus


I rather not have Newt being President of the moon.

OT: I really do I hope to see a Moon base in the near future, and hope to live there!! Doubt Newt would be able to deliver though. Though I've heard the russians were planning on a moon base too, so maybe the next space race?

I wouldn't be surprised if this was just another classic example of an insider slowly leaking information to soften the blow of disclosure on a previously classified subject.

Newt is a globalist/insider and I believe its safe to say, probably privy to some sensitive information. Perhaps hes letting us know the existence of a moon base and the unveiling of our clandestine activities up there may be coming. Just saying.

Does everyone here just bash Newt for the sake of bashing Newt? I seem to remember lots of upset people when Obama canned the idea of returning to the moon. I don't think this kind of reaction would be taking place at ATS if Ron Paul floated the idea.

I think it's a fantastic idea to return to the moon.

reply to post by Baldryck


We're not trashing the idea of returning to the moon. I personally think that Newt is enough of a whore to lie about it to get elected

At first I was in agreement with many of you...

A moon base is a waste of money!

We have needy here on Earth,
Right here in the good ole US of A...

We could take that 50 trillion and build jobs right here in America
to support the millions in need...

To feed hungry children...
To make a way for mom and dad to go back to work...

But then I had an epiphany...
A brilliant beautiful thought!

We NEED a moon base!

Yes that is right, spare no expense!
Start construction tomorrow!

Once its built we need to contact our representatives...

Convince our leaders that living in the wretches of Earth is so unclassy...

America is the greatest country on Earth and its leaders are the greatest to ever rule...

Great leaders need a great home... and I can think of none greater than on the moon...

Build a new white house on the moon...
Put Congress, Put the Senate on the moon...

All of our politicians can live on the moon, and rub it in the faces of the rest of the world...

ha ha ha suck it rest of earth! Our leaders here in America deserve to be somewhere greater than you!


...now once they listen to us and actually move to the moon...

We Americans then immediately destroy all rockets, shuttles, and space centers... or anything capable of going to and from the moon...

Trapping those greedy SOB's on the moon Forever...

While we are at it... Declare Newt Emperor of the moon...
It might make him feel good about being there

AND if any countries government starts screwing with its people...
the people of that country can simply remind their administrations
if they dont behave... you will join the american leaders on the moon!

And finally the world will live in peace...

Who agrees?