They Can Put a Man on the Moon But They Can't Fix Stupid

NASA has a new mission. No, nothing sexy like putting a man on the moon or creating a new mission to Mars. Instead the finest scientists and engineers at NASA will be trying to figure out why drivers of Toyotas have a predilection for stepping on the gas while thinking they're on the brake.

NASA and the National Academy of Sciences are joining the government's effort to figure out what caused the sudden acceleration problems that led to Toyota's massive recalls.

NASA scientists with expertise in electronics will help the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study potential electronic ties to unintended acceleration in Toyotas. NASA's knowledge of electronics, computer hardware and software and hazard analysis will ensure a comprehensive review, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Monday.

NASA managed to put spacecraft on the moon that had less computing power than the wristwatches of today's Toyota owners. However, I'm not sure how all that scientific ability is going to cure stupidity. The long skinny pedal is the gas, not the brake. I'm not even an engineer and I figured that one out.

This smells like another attempt by the administration to put the screws to Toyota and leave the impression hanging that they make dangerous cars, while at the same time the government is propping up two of Toyota's big competitors, GM and Chrysler.