Obama plans to cut Nasa's budget could hand space domination to Russia and China and put US security at risk

In USATODAY

Members of the Texas congressional delegation say they plan to build alliances with other lawmakers as part of a campaign to head off possible deep budget cuts for NASA, officials said.
The drive comes amid expectations that billions of dollars will be shifted from various federal agencies into new programs to stimulate the economy and stabilize the financial system as President-elect Barack Obama seeks to rescue the economy, the Houston Chronicle reported Tuesday in an online story from its Washington bureau......

It is essential for the new Obama administration to pare government spending where possible and to reduce waste. However it is neither sensible nor reasonable to cut expenditure to a level which, will cripple the space exploration programme. The space agency's budget amounts to just $20.2 billion- 0.6% or less of national spending. Severe cuts will also put astronauts safety at greater risk.

In addition the US risks being relegated to third place behind Russia and China.
China plans to build a lunar base. By 2011 China will have started a programme of exploration focusing on Mars. The Chinese intend in the long term to launch manned space probes to Mars and Saturn.
Russia will resume unmanned lunar missions in 2009. A mission to Venus is planned for 2015. Russia plans to replace the ISS (International Space Station) with an all-Russian station in Earth orbit.This will be an assembly platform for probes to the Moon and Mars.

Unwise cuts by Obama will have grave implications for American security. Dominance in space is a sine qua non for global military superiority. The Chinese and Russians realise as much.

Foreclosure Angel Foundation established by Marilyn Mock to help struggling home owners avoid foreclosure

The Foreclosure Angel Foundation is a non-profit organization established to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure on their homes. This radical initiative is the brainchild of small businesswoman Marilyn Mock. It restores one's faith in humanity. It had its genesis in a chance meeting at a foreclosure auction in Dallas, Texas.

Marilyn Mock went to the auction. She met Tracy Pottsboro who faced losing her home to foreclosure. Marilyn Mock, stepped in to purchase it. She gave it back to Tracy. Tracy can now pay back for the house as her financial situation improves.

Texas Republican Party advice to Obama whose half-brother lives in a slum:People in glasshouses should not throw stones

Barack Obama has viciously attacked John McCain in relation to the number of houses which he owned. Obama claims to be looking out for the people who have had the misfortune of losing their homes in an economic downturn? Pertinently this ad poses the question: if Obama cares so much for people who are having bad luck, how come he didn't take of his own family first? His own half-brother in Kenya - George -lives in a slum.

Clinton fights for her political life.

Hillary Clinton is now fighting for her political life. Since Super Tuesday the Obama campaign has continued to build momentum. Barack Obama easily defeated Clinton in the Wisconsin primary last night. He also won the Hawaii caucus decisively. In recent days Clinton has increasingly used negative campaigning. Referring to Obama she has said. "It's time that we move from good words to good works, from sound bites to sound solutions.

Mr Obama has defeated Clinton in ten successive contests since Super Tuesday two weeks ago. Most disconcerting for Clinton is the fact that many blue collar voters, females and the elderly -for long the mainstay of her campaign- have begun to drift towards Obama. The problem for Clinton is that Obama’s support is now well balanced amongst whites, blue-collar workers and the elderly as well as the youth. Obama is no longer over reliant on African Americans.

It is estimated that Obama has the support 1,335 delegates to Clinton’s 1,251.
Sen. Barack Obama has opened up a 14% lead over Hillary Clinton in a national presidential preference telephone survey conducted by Zogby International for Reuters.

The Ohio and Texas primaries will be held on 4 March, together with the smaller states of Vermont and Rhode Island.
Clinton will expect strong Hispanic support in Texas. She was a strong favourite to win Texas . However a CNN poll has shown both candidates are now neck and neck. Even in Texas support for Clinton appears to be ebbing away.
The war of words between both candidates can be expected to intensify. An increasingly desperate and shrill Clinton may drive more voters into the Obama camp. Can the legendary Clinton machine snatch victory from the jaws of defeat?

If Clinton loses Ohio and Texas she is effectively finished as a serious prospect for the nomination. If she wins one, the fight will in all probability go to the convention floor. Hillary and Bill will then endeavour to sway the super delegates by emphasizing that she is the more experienced candidate. If this transpires the ensuing bloodletting could tear the Democratic Party asunder. The issue of the Florida and Michigan delegates has yet to be resolved. Is it likely that only 48 states will choose the Democratic nominee? Clinton will fight furiously to ensure that delegates from Florida and Michigan can vote.
These delegates-if allowed to vote at convention- could exercise a major influence on the outcome.