Context: Daniel Fischer of cosmos4u tweeted, "Setback for the @ISEE3Reboot - Arecibo down for checks after earthquake. No one was hurt", and linked to a photo of the telescope as well as an ISEE3Reboot Twitter account status update. Â Daniel replied back to the ISEE3Reboot account asking for clarification on whether running out of time was really a setback. Â The ISEE3Reboot account replied back, giving Fischer flack for not being a native English speaker.
The last time I checked, space exploration is an international endeavour that brings together people of all backgrounds, creeds, and nationalities.  Discouraging participating in publicly funded projects in this field simply based on what languages you may or may not speak is pretty xenophobic, and dare I say, racist.  Whether it's Keith Cowing or someone else behind this account, it's not known for sure, but the word choice indicates it's probably Cowing.
Here's the original conversation on Twitter.
