:37:02
Every idea that offers a competitive
advantage to Americans is subject to theft.
:37:08
And that, gentlemen, could be catastrophic.
:37:11
Mr Shannon,
:37:13
over the past ten years,
this committee has approved
:37:17
hundreds of millions of dollars
for your research projects
:37:22
without having one good,
goddamn idea about where the hell
:37:27
all the money was going.
:37:29
He's talking about our tax dollars up there.
:37:33
We were under the impression, Senator,
:37:35
that you passed legislation
to ensure that you wouldn't know.
:37:39
Or perhaps, more accurately,
that you didn't want to know.
:37:44
I'm aware of the law, Mr Shannon,
thank you. I wrote it.
:37:48
But I don't remember,
when I drafted it, that I anticipated
:37:52
a large portion
of the south side of Chicago blown up.
:37:57
What assurances can you give me
and this committee
:38:01
that this event will never happen again?
:38:06
None, Senator.
:38:09
The incident in Chicago was tragic,
to be sure.
:38:12
But sometimes that is the price we must pay
:38:15
to ensure our competitive edge in the future.
:38:18
We didn't intend to pay for
our space exploration programme
:38:22
with the lives of ten American astronauts.
But we did.
:38:25
Nevertheless,
we must not waver in our commitment
:38:29
to scientific research and development.
:38:32
As you gentlemen know,
:38:35
there are many threats to our way of life.
:38:38
And not all of them wear uniforms
:38:40
and carry guns.
:38:42
Mr Shannon, I want to thank you for your
appearance today before this committee.
:38:48
You have spoken like a true patriot
:38:50
of whom this country can be very proud.
:38:54
Thank you, sir.