Seeing Our Future on Another Planet

President Kennedy said: “We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.” I believe we should go to Mars for the same reasons. It will not be easy; it will be hard. But I believe we are up to the challenge.

The things we learn in the process of trying to get there will advance medicine and science, and thus improve everyone’s quality of life. It will be well worth it in the long run. If not now, when? Also, if a woman were part of the crew, then possibly the first person on Mars might be a woman.

Larry Oliveto

Redondo Beach

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While President Bush proposes “pie in the sky” space missions, the middle class and all of its social securities (post-retirement benefits) slide inexorably into nonexistence. At such a time it’s obvious that Bush has no clue as to what ordinary people are suffering, and the gap between rich and poor seems as far as the distance to Mars.

Dain Olsen

Los Angeles

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Re “Spirit Rover Is Ready for Its Mars Close-Ups,” Jan. 15: A job well done to NASA, and especially to the home team, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Your work will answer many questions -- although I often wonder who is asking these questions. I know many people are asking why we have such expensive health care. No one has ever asked me about the oxygen or helium content in a Martian rock.

The problem I have with the space program now is that it distracts some of our best minds from solving our most pressing problems. Other than that, it is a great adventure. Gee whiz, Mr. Bush, can’t we have both?

Forrest Walker

Los Angeles