So I have something to come clean to and it’s really awesome and I’m really happy about it and it may not matter to you but it matters to me. Here it is:
I was wrong about @JimBridenstine.
He’s not only not bad, he’s really good. He’s good for space and he’s good for @NASA.
I was wrong about @JimBridenstine.
He’s not only not bad, he’s really good. He’s good for space and he’s good for @NASA.
Before @JimBridenstine was appointed I was torn. NASA needs an administrator. It’s an imperative. Without an administrator it’s a large organization without focus or lead. That’s potentially cataclysmic. Yet I was really nervous Rep Bridenstine would be anti-science, anti-people.
At the time, I studied (then-)Representive Bridenstine’s history, his votes, his comments, his posts and writings, his support, and his positions. And I was concerned.
However one vote of confidence that shined through was @Lori_Garver. When Lori said let Bridenstine serve, it melted a terrific amount of resistance on my part. Lori Garver is at least as informed about space, NASA, and government as very much anyone else can think of.
Another vote of confidence for me was the posting of a photo of @BillNye and @JimBridenstine. Believe me, Nye and I don’t agree on plenty–yet my respect for his process and the legitimate gravitas he lends to his positions is unwavering: Nye wants the future to work out. 
& @marcorubio both opposing the nomination was notable but being they (and I) are Floridians this had earmarks of defending Florida’s space industry. For Senators Nelson & Rubio to agree meant it was what politicians are supposed to do: look out for constituents.
To be honest I also never questioned Jim Bridenstine’s credentials. His background in space was strong and being a member of Congress is no small feat or lacking qualification. Plus, Bridenstine’s interest in space was categorically provable.
What I questioned was two things: climate change & Representative Bridenstine’s genuine compassion for all Americans and all people.
Bridenstine’s critiques of President Obama, failure the stand up for the rights of citizens who are LGBT, and his wrongheaded positions of Muslims and immigrants made me more than worry; they made me oppositional.
While my feelings about those all remain strong, I now see @JimBridenstine in a new light.
And what a good light it is!
wired.com/story/nasas-ji…
And what a good light it is!
wired.com/story/nasas-ji…
is coming through on good climate change sense. space.com/40640-nasa-chi…
Climate change is such a significant impacter, the importance of @JimBridenstine’s words cannot be underestimated. popularmechanics.com/science/enviro…
And there’s more. Bridenstine really says important things on twitter which cumulatively are clearly more than simply “the right words”. Jim Bridenstine tweets from the heart.
When you see @JimBridenstine tweet about meeting NASA legend Charlie Bolden you get the feeling he’s as genuinely honored and excited as any of us would be.
He’s no standoff/ish bureaucrat; rather, @JimBridenstine is a real geek amongst geeks.
In other words, @JimBridenstine is the real deal. Yes, there will be other issues to deal with–LGBT, civil rights, et al–and at this point I’m ready to go out on a limb to state for the record I feel Jim Bridenstine is up to the job and I support him.
Glad to have that off my shoulders. All things considering we got more than a little lucky getting @JimBridenstine and I look forward to seeing what more good he brings to @NASA. This really is a good time for space!
