William Atkins
Saturday, 17 January 2009 19:53
Science -
Space
Page 2 of 3
Griffin also talked about the reason for the success of the United States and NASA.
He stated,
“... despite the fact that we all had individual differences about how to do things, that for the most part, the center of mass of the country could find a way to leave their differences aside and cooperate and collaborate toward a common goal, and he thought that was really the secret of American success, not that we were smarter or better or harder working than anybody else, but that we would, by and large, row in the same direction.”
Griffin also commented on the efforts being taken today for detecting extraterrestrial life. He stated,
“I would be very surprised if we didn't find life elsewhere, and frankly I expect to live to see it."
He adds,
"I would be surprised to find that life never originated on Mars, and I wouldn't be terribly surprised to find dormant or quiescent life underground.”
Although Griffin is expected to be replaced as the Barack Obama Administration takes over for the George Bush Administration, nothing has been finalized as of the writing of this article. However, Griffin sees the signs on the wall, and he is preparing for a leadership change at NASA.
Griffin concluded his farewell speech to NASA employees by saying,
“I remind everybody again, Federal executive agencies in a democracy do not make policy. In fact, it would be a dangerous lapse in government if we did. It is nice when we are asked for our opinions on what policy ought to be, but we don't make policy. We carry it out.
"Policy is determined by elected and appointed officials in the executive branch and elected officials in the legislative branch. Those two groups have to work together to hammer out some kind of a common set of direction to the executive branch agencies, and then we strive, should strive to do our best to carry it out, whatever it is.”
This article concludes on page three with a conclusion to Griffin's comments.
