NASA Moon Rock Bust Proves Astronomically Sad

[N1ceDreamz]

If its her property, where's the crime?
Just ask Armstrong. His answer basically determines everything, doesn't it?

Any material gained off of earth is illegal unless its in a government lab. This is because of an early space exploration legislation in the 60-70s that banned its sale. The governments feared that alien material may contain germs which would potentially effect our environment or start a xeno plague.

The law was never taken out of effect, and quickly forgotten about by the time the space race hysteria ended. Its a controlled substance just like selling uranium is frowned upon. Moon dirt is also dangerous if not handled properly. If you spill it and inhale it, its the same as inhaling particles of shattered glass. It can and will hurt your lungs and possibly eyes.

Oh! Wow, that's actually pretty serious. I thought she was in trouble for theft, not accidentally threatening us with xeno-plague.

They take this stuff pretty seriously because of that fact. Its very dangerous to the unsuspecting. It could have led to a plague, with no guarantee we could cure it. This is why they seal the rocks away in labs or museums, they cant be allowed to be in open air. This is also why moon rocks are illegal to have, and far more illegal to sell.

But isn't the moon a barren wasteland, where NO LIFE WHATSOEVER can survive? Not even single cell organisms could survive? Even if there was some kind of dangerous microbe there at one stage that was perserved somehow, frozen maybe, wouldn't the lack of atmosphere, lethal temperature fluctuations and constant solar radiation (particularly the last one) render them unrevivable?

I'm not some kind of world-class astronomer or anything like that, but that explaination doesn't fly with me. Could an alien microbe pose a threat to us/our planet? Maybe; but I don't see how such a microbe could come from the moon of all places.

 

[Formica Archonis]

What gives a fucking aeronautics agency the power to conduct police-like investigations like this?

Same thing that gives it to the anyone in New York City [http://www.webhostingtalk.com/archive/index.php/t-224799.html] willing to pay $40/hr.

 

[Micalas]

She's forced to sell her dead husbands possessions to get treatment for her son.
"America, fuck yeah"

I was hoping you were going to suggest that she sell her pee

 

[doublenix]

Wow. Let the old woman sell the speck. The law mentioned above is ridiculous. How about NASA buys the thing and comes out the hero in the end? It's the least they could do after making an elderly woman pee herself. Geez.

 

[Lokithrsourcerer]

Just.. what?

If it turns out to be genuine, and it doesn't fall under the description of "fraud", why are we even considering the possibility of not letting her sell it? Why would it be illegal to sell a rock from a moon? Is it dangerous? Is it government property?

My guess is that moon rocks are stolen property that are worth millions because of how much money it took to get them.

that's exactly right it is considered property of NASA and it is very precious there is not much of it about and they use it for a variety of experiments when designing new craft etc. However under the circumstances it sounds pretty petty of them on this occasion.

 

[Draconalis]

How about NASA buys the thing and comes out the hero in the end? It's the least they could do after making an elderly woman pee herself. Geez.

Shit... are you kidding me? With all the budget cuts and lay offs I keep hearing about, they don't have the money to give anyone a million dollars for a grain of moonsand.

 

[Boba Frag]

What gives a fucking aeronautics agency the power to conduct police-like investigations like this?

Same thing that gives it to the anyone in New York City [http://www.webhostingtalk.com/archive/index.php/t-224799.html] willing to pay $40/hr.

That is some seriously depressing and disturbing news :-/

Yeeesh. I know I flipped the lid and when I spotted the notification about being quoted, I thought the flame war was upon me... But it seems I'm clearly not the only one seething with rage about this.

Multiple police forces is a good idea for a huge country like the US, and for the serious ones the FBI that range cross country...

But man. This militarisation of different agencies shit will not lead anywhere good.

 

[Boba Frag]

Bruises on her arms and she was so terrorised that she lost bladder control???
74 years old?!?!

Who the FUCK interviewed her?

The Batman, by the sounds of things, and judging Christian Bale's temper.

OT; Huh...well, thats pretty sad. Poor woman must have had a heart attack when the G-Men swooped down.

I think it would result in Batman breaking several digits and kneecaps if that shit happened to an old lady on his watch.

Absolutely wretched news. The poor woman... I'm not surprised she had an accident.

I hope she can get a pro bono lawyer or something because there might be a case for wrongful harassment there.
Maybe by suing them she can get some money for her sick son.

 

[Strazdas]

Well, if the rock is authentic, then i dont see a crime.

 

[Craazhy]

OH WHO WOULD BE SO CALLOUS AND DISGUSTING AND IMMORAL AS TO SELL SOMETHING NO ONE BUT THEMSELVES CAN CLAIM OWNERSHIP TO?! What the hell is wrong with that old bat?! Some people have ALL THE GODDAMN NERVE!

It's just... damn, it's just un-American--- selling things--- goddamn! Liberal, communists bastards...

 

[doublenix]

How about NASA buys the thing and comes out the hero in the end? It's the least they could do after making an elderly woman pee herself. Geez.

Shit... are you kidding me? With all the budget cuts and lay offs I keep hearing about, they don't have the money to give anyone a million dollars for a grain of moonsand.

A million? No way. A couple grand to buy some good PR that helps counter this and things like the layoffs? Might be worth their time and money looking into. Makes them look like slightly less like douchey.