Obama eyes next NASA boss

US President Barak Obama is expected to tap four-time shuttle astronaut and retired Marine major general Charles Bolden as NASA's next Deputy Administrator, according to several news reports. Charles Bolden, Image courtesy NASA Pending senate approval, Bolden would be the first black person and second astronaut to take the …

[Bryce Prewitt]

zOMG RACEIST!!!1!

Don't you know that in America there are no colors? No black or brown or yellow or even white - only varying degrees of Americans. African American, Asian American, Caucasian American (what?).

To use such archaic terminology is simply racist! You racists!

[amanfromMars]

Incoming Missives ...... Batten down the hatches or Splice the Main Brace ...?

"he doesn't have plans"

Maybe Lockheed Martin's Jeremy Greaves has a Space Virtualisation Program for Media BlitzKrieg.

"NXXXXT Generation Games Play ...... Today *" .....is ITs Entitlement ....Releasing Relativity Heavy MetAIdDataBase CodeXXXX into the Enigma Equation for the Sublime Persuasions Alive in IMPerfect Temptations. The Strawberry Fields of Saints and Sinners in Post Modern Past Master Idiom.

IMPerfect in Quantum would be Instant Message Perfect .

And that is not Only Inside Source Material...... IT is an Eldorado Lode and Aladdin's Cave Windfall for Virtual Driver Drivers.

Perfect for a Renegade into Renaissance with Absolutely Fabulous Change. ....... Above and Beyond the Call and Duty.

[Chris Bradshaw]

Does his race matter??

ActuallyI agree with the honourable (if somewhat excitable) Mr. Prewitt. If he was a white astronaut, you would write just that he is the second astronaut to hold the post, not that he is white. Hispanic or Asian heritage is not usually mentioned in this context (the first asian to hold this office, ...). Also, there is a picture, so those readers who care what he looks like can see. Would you put in a comment if he was mixed race??

We are not in apartheid South Africa, and this is not the 1960s.

[Tom Cooke]

@Chris Bradshaw

Unfortunately we're not in the 25th century, or whenever Star Trek's world of total tolerance and harmony is supposed to exist. I agree it *shouldn't* be necessary to say it, but in 2009 (as opposed to 2509) United States, apparently you can't *not* say "First African-American to <whatever>" either...

[T-Bo]

Experience, just for a change

Being a merkin myself, I think it's good that BO is tapping someone with practical experience and proven leadership skills for this position. Much of NASA's management sorely lacks these, and has for some time.

Also -- RE: the race scrap above -- give it a rest, guys ... too early in the week .... :)