Assuming you are the President of USA if a group of scientists came to you having strong evidence for an alien civilization what will you do.

Why would they come to me? Surely they would publish such a thing without government intervention. And if they did come to me, surely what I do about it would depend in what that evidence consists in, no?

Why would they come to me? Surely they would publish such a thing without government intervention. And if they did come to me, surely what I do about it would depend in what that evidence consists in, no?

 

And why didn't the OP think of this?

Assuming you are the President of USA if a group of scientists came to you having strong evidence for an alien civilization what will you do.

 

Immediately register the domain "encyclopediagallacticaportal.com".

Immediately register the domain "encyclopediagallacticaportal.com".

 

I will capitalise on your error before you notice it by registering encyclopediagalacticaportal.com.

alienfriendfinder.com

Damn you Sayonara!!! (shakes fist vehemently)

 

I'd say you have all the gall, but it appears I do instead! (hehe)

Invite them for a BBQ and a few beers.

 

(and if honesty offends, you shouldn`t have asked!)

Try to make contact.

I would sequester the group of scientists for a debriefing of indeterminate length. While they are being... questioned, I would have my spin doctors start a whisper campaign about how the government doesn't spend enough money on research into alien civilizations. Then I would call my... contact at the Carlyle Group and put together a comprehensive portfolio of contractors who specialize in alien civilization consulting.

 

Next I would accuse France of conspiring with evil aliens.

 

My next step would depend on whether or not the aliens were superior in technology to us. If they are then I would try to determine what they might like as a gift of goodwill (possibly France?). If they're not then I would find out what they have of value and start another whisper campaign about how we need more of whatever it is they have.

 

Next I would start work on the Patriot Act III (making me Earth Emperor) so I could force it through Congress right after the scientists reveal their discovery. Finally, after insuring that the scientists knew how profitable my side of the academic fence is, I would let them go so they could let the people know about this amazing new discovery which will change the face of life on Earth.

I still like Harry Truman's answer from Futurama: "If you come in peace, surrender or be destroyed! If you're here to make war, we surrender!"