Jim Inhofe: “It is a shame when we pander to trial lawyers and allow them to kill an industry before it is able to get off the…”

“It is a shame when we pander to trial lawyers and allow them to kill an industry before it is able to get off the ground. I urge these Democrats to stop the obstruction and pass this important legislation that will let the American people have the freedom to experience space, the final frontier. I have such faith in the private sector that I've dreamed of the day that government monopoly would be replaced by commercialization or at least some form of partnership. It has taken two decades, but now there are tangible indications that such a dream could indeed become a reality. Many of them are detailed in this week's cover story. But one of the most visible indications is yet to come. This week, Scaled Composites' SpaceShipOne is set to make the first of the two required flights to claim the $10 million Ansari X-Prize far hauling three people (or an equivalent mass) to the edge of space twice within two weeks. The prize could be won as early as next week.”