Many of the opening concepts voiced by Mr. Elon Musk, Dr. Peter Diamandis, and by Mr. Jeff Greason have actually been part of our weblog discusion. It was good to here this from these expert testimony that they gave today.

The opening of Space to the private industry is as simple as telling NASA buy what you want from what is available stop trying to make it your self when none is available.
Make Prizes available to spur on developement though contests.
Accept that there is risk with space and not to try to relieve all actions taken from such risk as to not doing anything at all in space.
Treat NASA more like it is a business for everything else but space exploration another woulds research and science ventures.
These are a few of the things that I hear of the testimony.

Buzz Aldrin echo many of the thoughts and sentaments that have been blogged here on the site in several of the conversations that I know I have enjoyed.
I hope we do get to do this grand vision. That maybe just one of those young minds that are hearing about this dream will get to go and touch another world before the timeline that the President has laid out. One can only wish unless we can all collectively get NASA and the commission to hear our voices with regards to the SEI journey.

I'm going to have to wait for them to release the webcast on their site before watching - too much work for now. Heck - I wish I could go watch (being that I am in Atl)

Does sound like they're saying some interesting things.

Hello to all, how does every one feel about sending James Burk to appearing before the commission. Today I watched another sites Ceo give his view point on the SEI. Can we also send Our site's guru as well. I am sure that he would represent us all in saying lets get going, enough already with this slow motion stuff and risk assesment garbage. Lets have a can do spirit again and get going on the job at hand.

Sure, why not. If James feels that we/he could contribute something useful to the commission.

I'm flattered :) If they had a public hearing in Seattle, I would be camped out down there. Unfortunately, I'm not currently in a position where I can travel to any of the other sites. But I have made use of their email contact form several times. :)

It's a pity the don't publish the comments entered on the moontomars website - I'm sure the postings would be interesting (and entertaining).