George Bush, space ranger

President Bush has signed a new National Space Policy which claims the U.S. has a right to deny access to space to anyone "hostile to U.S. interests," the Washington Post reports.

The document, the first major overhaul of U.S. space policy in 10 years, has a new emphasis on security and defense, as opposed to research, while encouraging private enterprise in space, the paper says.

Administration officials said the revisions were not paving the way for putting weapons systems into Earth orbit, but some policy makers, and bloggers, were concerned about the possibility. Others pointed out that space has become increasingly important to the military, which relies on satellites for communication and navigation.

Blog community response:

"The Bush Space Policy assumes authority over the entire galaxy, the entire universe. Isn't this the type of arrogance that might bring the wrath of the Klingon Empire down upon us? Just kidding there, but hey, you never know. When you proclaim your self-importance and imperviousness to the universe, there are probably others out there-or maybe even here-that you didn't count on. Overreaching is the way most empires begin their decline."
--ManfredEye

"I'll put myself on the record right now and say that I hope the US government is developing space weapons. Some Death Starish thing that can take out target on the ground or a launched ballistic missile with precision. Then maybe countries like North Korea would have a little more incentive to stop screwing around."
--The Political Pit Bull

"While the new NSP doesn't go as far as some space hawks wanted it to in openly endorsing the strategy of fighting 'in, from and through' space, neither has it served to put a blanket - even a thin one - on those ambitions. And in taking a decidedly 'us against them' tone, it is likely to further cement the view from abroad that the United States has taken on the role of a 'Lone Space Cowboy.' And as much as people love John Wayne movies overseas, that will not be a good thing."
--DefenseTech.org