Tag Archives: Mars

Bahrain, Space

Inspired Thoughts: Bahrain PM Not Going to Mars…………

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“Building the nation, consolidating its landmark achievements and safeguarding its security and stability require all Bahrainis to join ranks and stand united against whoever seeks to target its safety and sovereignty, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa said…….. This came as HRH Premier received at the Gudaibiya Palace today a number of MPs, Municipal Councils’ members, clerics, scholars, intellectuals, media persons, businessmen and scores of citizens representing all segments of the Bahraini society…………..Businessmen and traders praised HRH Premier’s recent fruitful visit to Saudi Arabia, citing the smooth flow of lorries through the King Fahad Causeway. Those present extended sincere congratulations to HRH Premier for his safe return home, noting that his return has filled the hearts of the citizens with joy and happiness. They lauded his constant keenness to advance the nation in all fields……………”

Wow. Remember when I post a few weeks ago a report about the UAE sending (actually buying, or was it renting?) a mission to Mars? I was told by someone that they were thinking of a manned mission to Mars. That is when I thought right away of his highness the prime minister of Bahrain (PM in power for some 43 years, about, oh, 35 years longer than Iraq’s Al Maliki, about thirty years longer than Bashar Al Assad, about two years longer than the late Muammar Gaddafi, about 15 years longer than Joe Stalin).

Actually the mere thought of the Al Khalifa ruling family of Bahrain made me think of space colonization. It was an inspiring thought, inspired by an inspiring elite. I better quit this one while I am ahead.

Cheers

Mohammed Haider Ghuloum

[email protected]

NASA, Outer Space, Science, UAE

United Emirates of Disneyland: the Potentates Buy a Space Program and Emigrate to Mars……

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February 2014: “”Gravity” is just a film. Imagine a similar real-life scenario: Would there be any chance of survival? That’s a concern for the General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments, or GAIAE, the United Arab Emirates’ religious watchdog, for anyone who wishes to travel to Mars. The GAIAE has issued a fatwa, or an official Islamic ruling, to warn Muslims against a Mars mission…………”

July 2014: “To date, there have been 41 past missions to the red planet, many of them from established space agencies, and only 16 have been a total success. To ensure that the UAE’s mission achieves its goal, the country’s newly established space agency will have to draw upon the lessons of previous attempts, as well as coordinate closely with international parties to ensure there is no room for failure. “The majority of things we’ve sent to Mars have failed,” said commander Chris Hadfield, the Canadian astronaut who was in the Emirates last week to meet officials from the country’s nascent space agency…………….”

Why not? There are rumors that the Bin Zayed Al-Nahayn Brothers who own Abu Dhabi and rule the UAE are planning a vacation getaway for the family on the Red Planet. Just rumors. Some people I know claim, rather hopefully, that the brothers may be planning to emigrate to Mars. Some would have preferred for them to opt for one of the Jovian planets like Jupiter or Uranus. Oh well……

So what have we here? A United Arab Emirates of Disneyland. A continuation into outer space of a trend toward phony culture and science (and politics). Fake Sorbonne. Fake New York University. Fake MIT. All the curricula ‘adjusted’ and watered down to account for ‘local culture’: you figure out what that means. Fake Louvre. Fake Vatican and Fake Kaaba (stay tuned)? Fake Army (imported veteran mercenaries). Fake population (7 million temporary foreigners out of a total population of 8 million). But not all of it is entertaining.
And now? The ultimate in scientific fakery: a fake Mission to Mars. No research and no technological advancement needed, all bought and paid for. It is like when you buy a Boeing airplane: you own the airplane, but you do not acquire the technology (well, you learn how to fly the jet and flush the toilet).

Now what is there they can get that NASA (and maybe others) have not got? Unless they plan to rename a mountain or a famous waterway on Mars after the UAE rulers.

Cheers

Mohammed Haider Ghuloum

[email protected]