Once Again, Taxpayers Would Underwrite Halliburton

Red Planet Profits

(Halliburton), which was headed by Vice President Dick Cheney and is a major financial backer of the Administration, has long supported funding a Mars plan because it is good for its drilling technology business (it was also Cheney who spearheaded the Mars plan inside the White House).

Well, surprise, surprise!

As Streich wrote, "Drilling technology for Mars research will be useful for the oil and gas industries." He says "the oil industry is in need of a revolutionary drilling technique that allows quicker and more economical access to oil reserves." A Mars mission "presents an unprecedented opportunity" to develop that drilling technique and "improve our abilities to support oil and gas demands on Earth."

…all for free to Halliburton and at the expense of the taxpayers. Typical Repug policy.

On top of the Halliburton factor, USA Today reports that Cheney "persuaded Bush that there could be military benefits, such as space-based defense systems."

Cheney: "Oh Buuuushhiiieeee…we can get some more war toys if we do this!"

Bush: "Really, Uncle Dick? That'll be swell!"