We should have seen it coming.

Seemingly unaware that he has an agency dedicated to the monitoring and study of the engines of climate (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency), on January 26, President Obama decided that NASA should turn its gaze inward. According to the Orlando Sentinel: “The White House will direct NASA to concentrate on Earth-science projects – principally, researching and monitoring climate change.” Apparently NOAA will now begin work on a return to the Moon.

Now, it seems, NASA is to attend to the Muslim world’s perceived lack of self esteem. Major General Charles F Bolden Jr [USMC], NASA Administrator, told Al Jezeera that “ … before I became the NASA administrator, [President Obama] charged me with three things. [ H ]e wanted me to help re-inspire children to want to get into science and math, he wanted me to expand our international relationships, and third and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science ... and math and engineering.” Apparently the State Department will now begin work on a Mars mission.

General Bolden also mentioned that “we can’t get beyond LEO (Low Earth Orbit) without the help of others.” Michael Griffen, NASA Administrator under GW Bush, doesn’t agree with either assertion. “NASA ... represents the best of America. Its purpose is not to inspire Muslims or any other cultural entity,” he says, “To the extent that we wish to go to Mars, we can go to Mars.”

This administration just doesn’t understand the instruments of national government. Their worldview is simplistic to the point of being sophomoric. Their sense of cause-and-effect is stripped of all nuance and subtlety – and therefore, any awareness of unintended consequences. We’ve given the keys to the car to an ADD kid on a sugar high, and shouldn’t be surprised that he’s driving through the yard.