Can you believe that US Government Defense system is spending 1000s of dollars to "Track Santa"? Seriously??!?
Military center tracking Santa's sleigh ride COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Who says Santa Claus doesn't exist? The military personnel charged with being the eyes in the sky are certainly acting like he does — and they've been joined on the Internet by millions of believers. Even doubters have reason to pause when they hear the North American Aerospace Defense Command — or NORAD, which monitors air and space threats against the U.S. and Canada — is in charge of the annual Christmas mission to keep children informed of Santa's worldwide journey to their homes. "They challenge it, but only to a point," said Senior Master Sgt. Sharon Ryder-Platts, 49, who for five years has been a Santa tracker, taking calls from those wanting to know the location of jolly old St. Nick. According to NORAD, Santa began his latest flight early Wednesday at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean. Historically, Santa visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and Australia. NORAD points out that only Santa knows his route. Last year, NORAD's Santa tracking center answered 94,000 calls and responded to 10,000 e-mails. About 10.6 million visitors went to the Web site, which can be viewed in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese and Chinese. (I get it, Santa is the spirit of Christmas,and it's great for the Children, But in this economy to pay people to answer the phones, work the computer systems and "track santa" it's just a big waste of money in this economy. I VOTE EVERY single Election since I was 18. I voted in every election in 2004 and every election in 2008. I love the Spirit of Christmas! I really really do. But with everyone needing "Bail outs' why spend alot of money for something that happens once a year. Me and my family even fight for this Country! With a Brother overseas right now, missing his third Christmas, Don't you dare tell me about the spirit of Christmas! It's because of what we Do, Makes you guys have another Christmas safe. Of course there not going to tell you how much they spend. "They want you to have the Spirit Of Christmas! God Bless our Troops and God Bless the Men and Women who make this Country Safe! Of course there not going to tell you how much they spend. "They want you to have the Spirit Of Christmas! God Bless our Troops and God Bless the Men and Women who make this Country Safe!
Marriage & Divorce - 11 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Someone has to be there watching monitors anyway, so why not? How much of our government money is actually spent to give citizens magic and joy? Let it be. I think it's a good thing.
2 :
Get over it, it's fun and some of us still believe! Where's your sense of childhood, and imagination!??!
3 :
It isn't going to cost us anymore to add some Christmas joy by them tracking SANTA!!!! If you are so worried about it why don't you offer to pay for it. Ya I didn't think so, someone has to be there anyways so who cares if they are watching an extra monitor. They have been doing it for years so deal with it.
4 :
OK Scrooge.... They spend millions of dollars to decorate the White House as well. It's your money! So that makes me laugh... Did you vote? You will never stop the spending but if you stay involved in your government you can voice your opinions to your leaders. If it bothers you that bad don't go online to track him my kids and I will be on norad.com well into the night!! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5 :
omg! lightnen up its christmas for gods sake!
6 :
I think it's sweet :)
7 :
Nowhere in that article does it say how much this project costs. You could argue they're stimulating the economy if the people handling the calls and e-mails are temps, but maybe they have to be there anyway, or maybe they've got a simple automated system set up. And I'll bet it takes a minute to plot a flight route for Santa on the fancy systems they've already spent money on for serious things.
8 :
You understand that the Military is a 24 X 7 operation. It gives those that have to pull duty something fun to add to the assignment. They are not expending anything that would not have been spent anyway. Therefore, take your bah humbug attitude on down the road.
9 :
Oh my god. Where is your Christmas Spirit? Little kids love tracking Santa, its fun for them! I used to watch it when I still believe in Santa. I was actually just watching it a minute ago. Stop being such a scrooge!
10 :
we spend 1000000 times that on "diplomacy" which is nothing but high end cocktail parties for the elite. which is a bigger problem to you?
11 :
I get the drift of your post, but I have to wonder if it's costing much at all for NORAD to "track" Santa. The web site is already up, the people are already there answering phones, and email responses can be canned reports linked to the supposed track....I'd like to see a fair accounting of the true cost before getting much outraged over it all. Besides, in all honesty, a few thousand dollars (assuming your assertion can be proved) isn't a lot of money. How many hits and phone calls and emails did they take? Divide a few thousand bucks into that many participating people. Is it really so expensive?
Title : Can you believe that US Government Defense system is spending 1000s of dollars to "Track Santa"? Seriously
Description : Can you believe that US Government Defense system is spending 1000s of dollars to "Track Santa"? Seriously??!? Military center t...