1) The "tourism money" defense reminds me of the defense of the expense of the space program (specifically the 1960s moon shot) on the grounds of the useful commercial products it generated. Like Teflon. And Tang. But even to the extent that that's true, isn't going to the Moon a rather overexpensive and roundabout way to generate such a trivial if useful result?
2) Wondering about who could serve as a UK ceremonial president, I note that the foreign ones you list are all retired politicians, so it occurs to me that the Chancellors of Oxford University for the last century or so would have made pretty good ceremonial presidents, as indeed they have in the position they actually held, though as president it should be a term position and not for life.
no subject
1) The "tourism money" defense reminds me of the defense of the expense of the space program (specifically the 1960s moon shot) on the grounds of the useful commercial products it generated. Like Teflon. And Tang. But even to the extent that that's true, isn't going to the Moon a rather overexpensive and roundabout way to generate such a trivial if useful result?
2) Wondering about who could serve as a UK ceremonial president, I note that the foreign ones you list are all retired politicians, so it occurs to me that the Chancellors of Oxford University for the last century or so would have made pretty good ceremonial presidents, as indeed they have in the position they actually held, though as president it should be a term position and not for life.