Can You Trust A Politician...
...who is not even remotely familiar with the concept of nuclear fusion?
That's the question that comes to mind after reading that of the question that was posed to John Edwards at a campaign event in New Hampshire recently:
Another man, Howard Epstein, asked Mr. Edwards whether he supported nuclear fusion in the context of mining on the moon.
“You are over my head now,” said Mr. Edwards in a frank response that may very well have been shared by audience members who were not science-minded. “You are asking me if I would support what?”
I realize that I'm an unrealistic dreamer, but sometimes I think it would be nice if people who were running for high office had a grander view of the universe than petroleum -v- ethanol.
I'd say Mr Edwards is an unusually trustworthy politician: when asked about a subject that he didn't understand, he came right out and said so. Over here in the UK, politicians often claim expertise on subjects such as Global Warming, Economics, Education etc, of which they are profoundly ignorant.
Posted by: Anthony Webb | October 31, 2007 at 06:37 PM
I'm going to work the Rs on this one.
Posted by: M. Simon | December 29, 2007 at 11:49 PM
It's probably better, all things considered, that he doesn't know.
Posted by: Rob McMillin | January 21, 2008 at 08:41 PM
I don't think the man can be blamed for not keeping up with lunar mining economics. Obviously, the asker was aware that helium-3 is currently the only resource economically-viable to import from space, but since the technology to use it doesn't exist, Edwards isn't ignorant, he's pragmatic.
Posted by: Eduardo | February 11, 2008 at 09:11 PM
Don't laugh too hard - in 1978 I had to explain "Gasohol" to a certain former US Senator. -S-
Posted by: Dr.Shalit | April 20, 2008 at 01:56 PM