60 Minutes Special on KSC Job Losses - Discussion

[nathan.moeller]

CBS aired a short but effective documentary on the KSC job losses tonight.  The situation is exactly what a lot of us here predicted over the last few years.  Unemployment in Brevard County is 11% and climbing.

Businesses that sprang up during the shuttle era (most notably covered was Shuttles Bar'n'Grill) are shutting down left and right.  Many KSC workers (who were promised job security by candidate Barack) are having a hard time finding work due to the continuing slow down of the economy.

Excellent but heartbreaking look at the impact of the end of shuttle.  Glad CBS took the time to dedicate a segment to this (though they could easily fill a couple of hours with this story).

[Robotbeat]

Not entirely surprising. Florida is experiencing the effects of austerity on state and federal level while states like Minnesota (who haven't cut back nearly as much) are doing quite well since they're mostly feeling the effects of the federal cut back and not also the state cutback. We can put the nail in the coffin of the theory of expansionary austerity.

[Antares]

You don't want to start that argument.  It will go OT very fast and you will get crushed.

[Chris Bergin]

Video is already available.

As Nate said. Emotional and heartbreaking realism amid the fluff and youtube "Increasing the awesome" grinning guy.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7403938n

[Robotbeat]

You don't want to start that argument.  It will go OT very fast and you will get crushed.

Crushed by reality or just by overwhelming groupthink?

Fiscal austerity when you're already in a (minor) depression hurts, as this video clearly shows.

[Chris Bergin]

Not entirely surprising. Florida is experiencing the effects of austerity on state and federal level while states like Minnesota (who haven't cut back nearly as much) are doing quite well since they're mostly feeling the effects of the federal cut back and not also the state cutback. We can put the nail in the coffin of the theory of expansionary austerity.

This isn't about Florida's economy. It's about the end of the Shuttle's impact!

[Jim]

Businesses that sprang up during the shuttle era (most notably covered was Shuttles Bar'n'Grill) are shutting down left and right.  Many KSC workers (who were promised job security by candidate Barack) are having a hard time finding work due to the continuing slow down of the economy.

There was no such promise for KSC workers

[cro-magnon gramps]

There are a number of culprits to blame for what is happening, both in Florida and World Wide;
   but specific to Florida, it was predicted that new jobs would be created and the fall out of the cancellation of Constellation and the Shuttles, along with decreases in taxes would increase the number of those new jobs; sadly as I predicted, based on the experience in Canada after the Avro Arrow disaster of the late 50's, we are now seeing the chickens coming home to roost and there is no food in the trays ;-( why don't Governments learn from history, instead of pursuing ideology;

to any displaced workers, reading this thread / forum, you have my sincerest thanks for your service to Space Exploration, and heart felt sympathy for your present situation;

Gramps

[Chris Bergin]

On Atlantis: "She was pulled from the service of her country long before she was ready" - so well said.

[Robotbeat]

Not entirely surprising. Florida is experiencing the effects of austerity on state and federal level while states like Minnesota (who haven't cut back nearly as much) are doing quite well since they're mostly feeling the effects of the federal cut back and not also the state cutback. We can put the nail in the coffin of the theory of expansionary austerity.

This isn't about Florida's economy. It's about the end of the Shuttle's impact!

It's pretty relevant. Firing workers in a down economy is a lot harder on them (and society as a whole, what with unemployment insurance then foreclosures, etc, since a heck of a lot fewer companies are hiring) than in a boom. And Florida's economy (for instance) is hurting more than average.

[nathan.moeller]

Businesses that sprang up during the shuttle era (most notably covered was Shuttles Bar'n'Grill) are shutting down left and right.  Many KSC workers (who were promised job security by candidate Barack) are having a hard time finding work due to the continuing slow down of the economy.

There was no such promise for KSC workers

Skip to 2:19 in this video -

[Chris Bergin]

Not entirely surprising. Florida is experiencing the effects of austerity on state and federal level while states like Minnesota (who haven't cut back nearly as much) are doing quite well since they're mostly feeling the effects of the federal cut back and not also the state cutback. We can put the nail in the coffin of the theory of expansionary austerity.

This isn't about Florida's economy. It's about the end of the Shuttle's impact!

It's pretty relevant. Firing workers in a down economy is a lot harder on them (and society as a whole, what with unemployment insurance then foreclosures, etc) than in a boom. And Florida's economy (for instance) is hurting more than average.

Ok, I'll go with that as it's hard for me to get armwavey about somewhere I'm 4,000 miles away from. Speaking of which, shocking how that guy was spending $600 a month on meds (relevant to me being British).

Wasn't surprised to see the emotion of the Crane and Hypergolics guys. Was probably the most obvious thing to expect after covering what they do - and how much they cared - since starting the site.

[cro-magnon gramps]

They were being paid by tax dollars anyway, what different does being on unemployment insurance make? If anything, it's an improvement: unemployment insurance runs out eventually.

that has to rank with this quote just minutes after the twin tower's fell:
     Worse things happen in third world countries everyday, so why get upset over this!

thankfully he apologized later that afternoon, but I am doubtful I will see an apology from you;
Gramps

[Lurker Steve]

You don't want to start that argument.  It will go OT very fast and you will get crushed.

I have no need for Political advise from the state that gave us Jesse Ventura, Al Franken, Michelle Bachman, and Tim Pawlenty. They are almost as embarrassing as our jailed ex-governors from Illinois.

[QuantumG]

thankfully he apologized later that afternoon, but I am doubtful I will see an apology from you;

Why would I apologize for telling you my honest opinion? I'm sorry your government decided to create a county with so much dependence on federal taxes. I'm sorry you have so many people who are happy to accept money taken by force from their fellow countrymen. I'm sorry so few seem to have a clue how destructive and dysfunctional it is to blame the pain of the bust for the insanity of the boom, and long for continuation of external support so a locality that can't support itself can ignore its parasitic nature. I'm not sorry for saying it's good it might all actually end one day, and these people can get productive jobs elsewhere.

[Martin FL]

CBS aired a short but effective documentary on the KSC job losses tonight.  The situation is exactly what a lot of us here predicted over the last few years.  Unemployment in Brevard County is 11% and climbing.

Businesses that sprang up during the shuttle era (most notably covered was Shuttles Bar'n'Grill) are shutting down left and right.  Many KSC workers (who were promised job security by candidate Barack) are having a hard time finding work due to the continuing slow down of the economy.

Excellent but heartbreaking look at the impact of the end of shuttle.  Glad CBS took the time to dedicate a segment to this (though they could easily fill a couple of hours with this story).

Superb documentary.

[Chris Bergin]

Not surprised this became heated, but let's not. However, we could do without inciteful comments too.

[Rocket Science]

Sometimes it is important to see the faces behind the statistics. Decisions made based on the theories and promises have real life consequences… Thank you CBS.

[Bubbinski]

Just saw it and it was very depressing.  Yes, the shuttles were retired much too soon.

[10W29]

Businesses that sprang up during the shuttle era (most notably covered was Shuttles Bar'n'Grill) are shutting down left and right.  Many KSC workers (who were promised job security by candidate Barack) are having a hard time finding work due to the continuing slow down of the economy.

There was no such promise for KSC workers

Skip to 2:19 in this video -

He just promised that not ALL the jobs and expertise would be lost...and they haven't been.  .  . yet, but they're working on it