Dinner at Fiola Fiola

Hey everyone. Unfortunately we are experiencing a few technical difficulties, so we will be skipping an episode this week. But we will be back next Monday! Same story, different week. Have a beautiful week everyone. 3

In this episode, Dan Goldin officially starts on his job as the new NASA Administrator and uncovers what is the complex, carefully constructed, system of relationships that the folks of the Old NASA Institution have established in Washington. In doing so, he realizes what the situation of the Space Station Freedom actually is - it's at an impasse.

"Man in Black: Perhaps an arrangement can be reached?
Vizzini: There will be no arrangements -- and you're killing her!
Man in Black: But if there can be no arrangement, then we are at an impasse."

- The Princess Bride, 1987

In the early 90s, the Administrator of NASA, became one of the most controversial Presidentially appointed positions in the U.S. government. And, the International Space station was NASA's most controversial program. Out of the blue Dan Goldin, a government rookie, was asked to consider the role of Administrator of NASA after President George H.W. Bush just fired Dick Truly, the previous Administrator, in a shocking and high profile way. This STORYTIME is about this government rookie's journey going from a Washington outsider to becoming the only Administrator to successfully gain Congress' support for the Space Station and finally deploy it into space by convincing President Clinton that the U.S. should partner with our former Cold War enemies - the Russians.

"Never make choices out of desperation, I think through it"
- Nas

The stories you hear when dining and drinking with the insiders of the political and economics world. Behind the scenes. Genuine. No punches pulled. Coming soon.