Butch and Suni send mixed messages on whether politics delayed their return

"We came up prepared to stay long, even though we plan to stay short."

See full article...

 

[bruindrummer]

Geeze Wilmore comes across as a bootlicker.

 

[BaCoSs]

Confidence in starliner was probably based on the political ramifications if the unfortunate happened during re-entry

 

[evanTO]

The astronauts non-answer-answers and more-praise-than-necessary of Trump and Musk is quite disappointing.

 

[JohnDeL]

I can only say that Mr. Musk, what he says, is absolutely factual. We have no information on that, though, whatsoever; what was offered, what was not offered; who it was offered to, how that process went. That's information that we simply don't have.

"We have no idea if what he said was true, but it sure was factual!"

It sounds more to me as if they are afraid that if they point out that Musk is full of shit, they'll end up stuck in orbit for another nine months.

 

[DistinctivelyCanuck]

runs press conference BS to actual language translator
do you actually expect us to answer your questions honestly? Musk's already said he'll leave us up here when it gets de-orbited if we don't toe the line.

 

[Panj0]

...all of us have the utmost respect for Mr. Musk, and obviously, respect and admiration for our president of the United States, Donald Trump. We appreciate them. We appreciate all that they do...

The oval office approves this statement.

I can only say that Mr. Musk, what he says, is absolutely factual. We have no information on that, though, whatsoever; what was offered, what was not offered; who it was offered to, how that process went.

Um, so how can you say with any degree of certainty that what he says is at all factual, never mind absolutely.

 

[Kvathe]

Geeze Wilmore comes across as a bootlicker.

Unfortunately, he has a few strong incentives to lick that boot.

 

[brianthebloomfield]

I can't put a finger to it but like SO MUCH recently, something about this just makes me feel gross.

 

[Placandeker]

Bootlicking or else.

 

[stormcrash]

How disappointing that they debased themselves like this

 

[Ripaille]

Geeze Wilmore comes across as a bootlicker.

Can you blame him? His one way back to Earth is through Musk's capsule.

 

[Unstablefan]

Can we please get the headline changed from

Butch Wilmore says Elon Musk is “absolutely factual” on Dragon’s delayed return

to

Butch Wilmore says Elon Musk is “absolutely factual” on Dragon’s delayed return; Immediately contradicts himself

 

[JudgeMental]

"We have no idea if what he said was true, but it sure was factual!"

It sounds more to me as if they are afraid that if they point out that Musk is full of shit, they'll end up stuck in orbit for another nine months.

Came here to say this. Could be an effort to remain apolitical, but also they're talking about a man who has the emotional resilience of a toddler who needs his nappy changed while holding the keys to their safe return. I know in Wilmore's shoes I'd be measured in my response.

edit Disambiguation

 

[libelle]

And the interviewer didn't once say "blink twice if you're under coercion."

 

[Caleth]

The astronauts non-answer-answers and more-praise-than-necessary of Trump and Musk is quite disappointing.

Well given their ability to return to the ground and their jobs relies on Trump and Elon what exactly would you have them do?

They have been told to give a dog and pony show or being stuck in orbit; so they do what they are told.

The problem here is the Implication, go see the It's Always Sunny in Philly show for the point. But things can be implied quite easily when your out there in space reliant on two raging narcissist assholes to get you home safely.

So what would you have two government employees do when they rely on such people to get them home, and have jobs? Should they throw up double birds and hop out the airlock to prove a point? Or do they get back and then speak up. Especially since others talking shit to Elon now has him pushing to end the ISS program entirely.

So swallow some pride, kiss some ass, and save hundreds of jobs or disregard all that and flush it for some a meaningless gesture that will hurt far more than just you?

These folks are some of our best and brightest and they are being used as pawns in a game of "How stupid can I be and how much will you kiss up to me?" It's not their fault.

 

[odikweos]

Now every conversation must begin by kissing their asses. Amazing times.

 

[Siosphere]

NASA has always tried to be apolitical, likewise with all astronauts. It's why they continue to work with Russia despite what Russia does, but something about these answers strike me as really odd.

Praising of Musk, praising of Trump, stating that Musk is absolutely factual but not actually knowing it at all.

Like I get you might not be in a position to call them out, but as many others have said, this just reeks of bootlicking, which seems so out of place for what I would expect.

 

[tom-ba]

How can you state something is factual if you don't know if any of the elements of that statement are true?

 

[danilluzin]

"Please glorious leader bring us back xoxo"

 

[uesc_marathon]

Absolutely amazing how craven everyone is in the face of the shadow president and his puppet king.

 

[josephandrews222]

...I'm surprised the poor guy didn't say he looks forward to a safe splash landing in the Gulf of America.

 

[Siosphere]

Well given their ability to return to the ground and their jobs relies on Trump and Elon what exactly would you have them do?

They have been told to give a dog and pony show or being stuck in orbit; so they do what they are told.

The problem here is the Implication, go see the It's Always Sunny in Philly show for the point. But things can be implied quite easily when your out there in space reliant on two raging narcissist assholes to get you home safely.

So what would you have two government employees do when they rely on such people to get them home, and have jobs? Should they throw up double birds and hop out the airlock to prove a point? Or do they get back and then speak up. Especially since others talking shit to Elon now has him pushing to end the ISS program entirely.

So swallow some pride, kiss some ass, and save hundreds of jobs or disregard all that and flush it for some a meaningless gesture that will hurt far more than just you?

These folks are some of our best and brightest and they are being used as pawns in a game of "How stupid can I be and how much will you kiss up to me?" It's not their fault.

There is 0 chance that if they called out Trump or Musk and said that it was all political theater that they would be stuck on the ISS.

They have their own way down, there is a vehicle docked there that can take them home right now. And no employee of Nasa would not do their job and see them safely down if they just decided to head home.

 

[shawnce]

Butch blink twice if Musk has you by your seat on the Crew Dragon.

 

[DCRoss]

Now every conversation must begin by kissing their asses. Amazing times.

... brought to you by Carl's Jr.

 

[Darkly]

We've seen this kind of thing before. Usually though, the people in the videos are captured combatants. The old... 'Yes, the people responsible for my current safety are all lovely people and doing everything they can for my wellbeing'. That's all this is.

 

[Jarrex]

Well given their ability to return to the ground and their jobs relies on Trump and Elon what exactly would you have them do?

They have been told to give a dog and pony show or being stuck in orbit; so they do what they are told.

The problem here is the Implication, go see the It's Always Sunny in Philly show for the point. But things can be implied quite easily when your out there in space reliant on two raging narcissist assholes to get you home safely.

So what would you have two government employees do when they rely on such people to get them home, and have jobs? Should they throw up double birds and hop out the airlock to prove a point? Or do they get back and then speak up. Especially since others talking shit to Elon now has him pushing to end the ISS program entirely.

So swallow some pride, kiss some ass, and save hundreds of jobs or disregard all that and flush it for some a meaningless gesture that will hurt far more than just you?

These folks are some of our best and brightest and they are being used as pawns in a game of "How stupid can I be and how much will you kiss up to me?" It's not their fault.

I am pretty sure that leaving astronauts in space would be one of the only things that could piss off just about everyone in the country. I can understand not wanting to get political, but then just don't say anything. Otherwise, you come across as a complete dipshit saying "absolutely factual".

 

[fragrom]

So, I gotta say this and I know it won't be super popular, but: Ars, why are we normalizing this?

Why is the NYT, Ars, and every publication acting like the bootlicking dog and pony show is normal? It's obvious to anyone, literally anyone, with an IQ above room temperature, that these astronauts have more or less been threatened by Musk and Trump. Where's the actual analysis of said statements and providing the meaningful answers that exist within the bootlicking? The answers that are basically: we're stuck up here and our jobs have been threatened by the likes of Tweedle-dee and Dumber?

I'm sorry, but the longer every publication treats this idiocy with any sense of normalcy, we're going to be stuck here a lot longer.

 

[Demosthenes642]

"We have no idea if what he said was true, but it sure was factual!"

It sounds more to me as if they are afraid that if they point out that Musk is full of shit, they'll end up stuck in orbit for another nine months.

Thus far that doesn't seem like a totally irrational fear.

 

[Sajuuk]

Can we please get the headline changed from

Butch Wilmore says Elon Musk is “absolutely factual” on Dragon’s delayed return

to

Butch Wilmore says Elon Musk is “absolutely factual” on Dragon’s delayed return; Immediately contradicts himself

Ars didn’t even report on Musk calling other astronauts “retarded” when it was relevant to their previous story. This is the headline and content they want.

Edit: I’m also going to bookmark this article for the next time someone here wants to say Eric doesn’t do politics or denies the obvious reality (or existence) of access journalism.

 

[Edified]

Press: You're technical professionals... let me ask you strictly political questions :/

 

[Demosthenes642]

There is 0 chance that if they called out Trump or Musk and said that it was all political theater that they would be stuck on the ISS.

They have their own way down, there is a vehicle docked there that can take them home right now. And no employee of Nasa would not do their job and see them safely down if they just decided to head home.

Butch and Sunni have to think about NASA and the space program too. Telling Trump and Musk to suck it and jumping in Crew Dragon for a ride home would likely have bad consequences for not just them but NASA in general and so I wouldn't blame them too much for keeping their heads down. Last thing we want is a political officer on the ISS.

 

[Cormacus]

There is 0 chance that if they called out Trump or Musk and said that it was all political theater that they would be stuck on the ISS.

They have their own way down, there is a vehicle docked there that can take them home right now. And no employee of Nasa would not do their job and see them safely down if they just decided to head home.

You're right. The question is whether they ever get to go up again.

 

[SinclairZX81]

There is 0 chance that if they called out Trump or Musk and said that it was all political theater that they would be stuck on the ISS.

They have their own way down, there is a vehicle docked there that can take them home right now. And no employee of Nasa would not do their job and see them safely down if they just decided to head home.

That's all true, but it's not just about them. There are tens of thousands of people who are employed by NASA for the ISS program, and those people have their own lives and many of them have families.

Given Musk's volatility and his access to Trump, and Trump's volatility, Butch or Suni calling out the political BS in this case means the early retirement of ISS is a likely a lot closer to happening. And in the current environment, those NASA jobs for ISS aren't going to be preserved - they'll be cut.

Being brave and protesting is a lot less palatable when the wellbeing of tens of thousands of other people is on the line. And you have to face them when you get home and they start getting firing notices.

So, you get what happened here, which sounds disturbingly like Soviet-era cosmonauts in front of TASS, speaking of how wonderful everything was in their program even when things like Soyuz 1 were happening.

 

[Sea-breeze]

Maybe they were afraid grok was going to say, “I’m sorry, Butch. I’m afraid I can’t do that,” but with f-words.

 

[thrillgore]

Wilmore: From my standpoint, politics is not playing into this at all. From our standpoint, I think that they would agree, we came up prepared to stay long, even though we plan to stay short. That's what we do in human spaceflight. That's what your nation's human space flight program is all about, planning for unknown, unexpected contingencies. And we did that, and that's why we flowed right into Crew 9, into Expedition 72 as we did. And it was somewhat of a seamless transition, because we had planned ahead for it, and we were prepared.

Butch, blink twice if you're being held at gunpoint.

 

[gsgrego]

I'm going to assume that elmo threatened to give his family to Russia, any females to the tate brothers.

 

[AverageDutchGuy]

I'm guessing Wilmore and Williams want to have a continuing career in NASA and spaceflight and are well aware of what that currently means. I doubt they like the groveling they have to do right now, but I also doubt they have much of a choice if they want to keep their jobs.