Doc
05-23-2017, 06:42 AM
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-nasa-moon-dust-bag-met-20170228-story.html
I'm sort of torn on this one because the artifact was initially stolen and sold. Granted, it was recovered and that could make that moot but could one sell something of such importance? I mean there is some validity the the national treasure argument. Could one sell off the Declaration of Independence for example? It was our tax dollars that generated and allowed the collection of the dust.
But then the flip side is does it still have any value scientifically? Is all its value just as a curiosity, or just the sake of saying one possesses "moon dust"? If so, does that value make it a true National Treasure? Probably no. (Yes, I'm arguing both sides).
And of course let's not forget the incompetence that set it in motion, or better yet, plural set of events. You have a government thief who stole it and sold it first then an inattentive one who dumped it after it was recovered.
I'm sort of torn on this one because the artifact was initially stolen and sold. Granted, it was recovered and that could make that moot but could one sell something of such importance? I mean there is some validity the the national treasure argument. Could one sell off the Declaration of Independence for example? It was our tax dollars that generated and allowed the collection of the dust.
But then the flip side is does it still have any value scientifically? Is all its value just as a curiosity, or just the sake of saying one possesses "moon dust"? If so, does that value make it a true National Treasure? Probably no. (Yes, I'm arguing both sides).
And of course let's not forget the incompetence that set it in motion, or better yet, plural set of events. You have a government thief who stole it and sold it first then an inattentive one who dumped it after it was recovered.