We are SO screwed, as a country.

So, I'm watching a press event put on by NASA about the first deep-space images from the Webb telescope. The woman emceeing sounds like an IDIOT. She can't speak well, and pronounces words like someone with a junior high school level of reading ability (if that). And as I listen to her, I'm just stunned that someone this inarticulate and seemingly stupid is the representative of NASA. So I look her up. Her name is Michelle Jones, and she isn't just a low-level communications staff member, she is the CHIEF of communications for NASA, who, according to her LinkedIn page, "leads a staff of more than 60 communicators and communications managers in executing a comprehensive, multidisciplina ry communications program." (I'd bet money she didn't write that sentence, either.) Turns out, she only has a bachelor's degree—in "communications and media studies." Communications and media studies?! What kind of "degree" is that? You "study" the MEDIA?! (I guess journalism was too difficult for her. And you know how I feel about journalists: Journalists can't write; sports journalists can't write or play sports, and broadcast journalists can't write or act.) And get this—her degree is from the University of Maryland's "global campus." In other words, correspondence school. A half-step up from community college. So you're telling me, out of a nation of 330 MILLION people, that the MOST qualified person to lead the communications operations of one of our most important and prestigious scientific institutions only has a bachelor's degree? From a mail-in college? We seriously couldn't find someone with even a master's degree? And with more impressive academic credentials—som ething a bit more meaty than "communications and media studies"? And we couldn't find someone with a scientific background? I don't know—maybe someone with some knowledge of astronomy or physics?

Well, it should come as no surprise that she is a black woman. And there's this (also from her LinkedIn page): "Jones is recognized as an advocate, change agent and influential leader for the center’s diversity and inclusion efforts. In addition to being the longest serving Diversity Dialogue Project facilitator, she is also a member of the center’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Over the years, Jones has spearheaded several diversity and inclusion initiatives and a host of employee engagement activities, including the "i am goddard” campaign and the annual Celebrate Goddard event." (Yes, the "i am goddard" campaign is spelled just like that on her LinkedIn page. Because why would anything involved with our SPACE PROGRAM need to use proper spelling?) And if you're wondering what the "Celebrate Goddard" event was, yes, it involved "celebrating" GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans) people. Because "diversity" is what is of CRITICAL importance for, you know—science stuff, like getting to Mars and the rest of the solar system, don't you know?

But don't get me started.

1 Tim, I am sorry to say that absolutely none of that surprises me in the least. All we have to do is look at Biden's current Press Secretary. God help us.

2 Yeah Bill; it's the rise of the imbeciles!  We are being taken over by the dimwits.

If this is the best America can do we are ruined.

3 Just a new (and improved) version of "Planet of the Apes."

4 So, I'm watching a press event put on by NASA about the first deep-space images from the Webb telescope. The woman emceeing sounds like an IDIOT.

5 like getting to Mars and the rest of the solar system, don't you know?like getting to Mars and the rest of the solar system, don't you know?