The reason the US isn't in Space in Fenspace is the same reason *random political problem* is happening IRL. Too much infighting and painting of anything to do with space other than currently exploited hard technologies such as GPS and CommSats as a media devil.
And, the folks who'd normally be champing at the bit to moderate the crazies... are up in space or being forced there by the more and more divisive political infighting.
IIRC, 'Dane US Gov't is heavily Republican-controlled, with one crazy or other getting the 2008 GOP nomination and winning on a "those geeks in space are SCARY boogie men and I'll protect you!" platform. Not as a knock against one party or another, just as a reason why the Fen were in space other than "it's cool!"
''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''
-- James Nicoll
And, the folks who'd normally be champing at the bit to moderate the crazies... are up in space or being forced there by the more and more divisive political infighting.
IIRC, 'Dane US Gov't is heavily Republican-controlled, with one crazy or other getting the 2008 GOP nomination and winning on a "those geeks in space are SCARY boogie men and I'll protect you!" platform. Not as a knock against one party or another, just as a reason why the Fen were in space other than "it's cool!"
''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''
-- James Nicoll