Posted on 06/30/2011 2:41:09 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
Thank you. I have nothing but esteem for all those that risked everything for all of us.
Then it also wasn't NASA's to give. The American people paid for it. Were we asked about what these brave people could or could not receive for their service? To "give" something to someone with stipulations that they can't do anything with it without permission is to demand they store it (without charge) until they want it back. It stinks, and NASA comes out the bad guy in this.
Of course it is.
All agencies have guidelines on how to dispose of damaged/obsolete/excess/used articles. So it IS their responsibility to insure that employees/vendors/users do not enrich themselves from improper acquisition of same.
It seems NASA was unaware he had kept the camera. That does not change the legality.
Each astronaut was given the opportunity to carry some mementos on flights, and also had lots of other items that were theirs to dispose of as they wished.
I'm sure this guy sold most of his legal stuff, but needed more. He was SELLING his autographs (some hero, huh?).
Tough to see one of the "Right Stuff" guys fall on hard times, but that does not excuse his behavior.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.