A call for reason and fairness in the case of
U.S. vs. Walter Anderson

by Walt Anderson

April 28, 2006

One of the primary “purposes” of the not-for-profit organization I created in 1993 is the Private and Commercial Development of Space and Space Related Education.

The U.S. Federal Prosecutors claim that investment corporations which I controlled and managed that were owned by the Smaller World Trust actually belonged to me and that I personally have a tax liability related to the prior success (even though I did not get the personal use of funds).

At some point during my trial, I will need to communicate to the Jury why I believed strongly enough (and still believe) in the importance of the private development of space.  I need to explain why I would spend millions that I helped earn and create on this cause rather than on myself, for myself.

The people who helped to set up and manage this web site are from the “Alternate Space Community”.  They may understand my motivation.  Others outside that Community may not understand.

Year after year at the International Space University, Space Frontier Foundation, International Aeronautical Federation and other meetings and organizations all over the world, I have heard both formal and informal explanations of why space exploration and development is important.

I have also been part of raging debates about the best way to achieve the “vision” or which part of the vision is most important (i.e. the issue of Moon First vs. Direct to Mars).

I have my own detailed vision and ideas of the strategies needed to achieve these visions.  I have come to these views through a lot of intellectual and theoretical learning, but also from some very practical experience in the real world of business and space business.

The active and free competition between competing organizations will help make success more likely for some.  Free markets and free minds will always prevail over centrally planned activities and restrictions on free expression.

I believe that the successful development of near earth resources will make the difference between all the people on earth having a positive future with opportunities for everyone to enjoy access to modern infrastructure, technology and a healthy environment.  Without the energy and resources from space activities the continuing development of the planet will destroy the planet.  With space development earth could become a garden with the resources to support all the citizens of earth at a comfortable level.

I believe that the migration of humans off earth is the next step in human evolutionary history.  Stagnant organisms die and expanding ones flourish.

I also believe that the challenges of space development are worthy of the best and brightest of human kind.  The psychological benefits of expanding the frontier will promote more freedom and opportunities on the earth.

I would rather be part of building the future than building a bigger home or having more possessions.  That for me is the ultimate luxury.

I have spent a very large part of my life pursuing these beliefs and in spite of my current difficulties I will continue to pursue these beliefs to the best of my ability.
I hope I can explain this vision to those outside the Space Community.

[WEBMASTER'S NOTE: All articles submitted by Walt Anderson are handwritten by him, and either mailed to me directly, or transcribed by a volunteer third party, then e-mailed to me for placement in a web template. These articles are only spell-checked and style-edited. They are never edited for content - these are Walt's own words, and are respected as such.]

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