The news that the spacecraft called Kepler will launch Friday morning brings with it the usual excitement that the search for something new to us in the universe has on those who care about such things.Kepler's mission—"to discover Earth-like planets in Earth-like places"—as it orbits our Sun seems like something more noteworthy than a mention in the Science Times.
But just suppose that Kepler gives us data from which we can suggest that Earth-like planets are rare in the universe.
I mean do we want our lives on our rare Earth organized into societies with organizing principles that are not based on enrichment of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Does anyone really believe that American society right now exhibits these objectives?
See Marjorie Cohn's piece in Counterpunch for a discussion of the Bush administration's view of the ideal society.
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