More than Ice

The International astronomers Union (IAU) will be having a conference August 15-25 to finally answer the question that has haunted for long enough: Is Pluto a real planet?

Some 3,000 astronomers and scientists from around the world will meet in Prague this week to decide whether Pluto, discovered in 1930, measures up to the definition of a planet. Link

First of all, it takes 3,000 people to do this. How the hell do you ever get a consensus? So apparently Pluto is too small to be called a planet. They have discovered, since Pluto was discovered, many other objects larger or of similar size in our solar system. So many scientists want to take away its prized classification of being a planet. The article describes what some of the main objections from keeping planet status from Pluto:

In the run-up to the assembly, emotions have been running high in both directions. Some have appealed to Gingerich's group not to downgrade Pluto, saying it would disappoint children and throw our understanding of the universe into chaos. Link

Do it for the children. What would happen, if the elementary teachers across the world had to tell their students this horrible news?
"Robby, I know Pluto is your favorite planet, but a group of mad scientists decided Pluto just didn't cut it to be a planet"
"Oh, Mrs. Larson, say it ain't so"

I can see why the emotions are running high at the conference, but I feel like this is going to become a national issue. In 2004, Republicans had "Gay Marriage." If the democrats were smart they would abandon the "War Sucks" and pick-up "Pluto...More than a huge piece of floating ice"

And yes, understanding whether Pluto is a planet or not is what keeps our universe in order.