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I have a slew
of dire topics to speak of, but REFUSE to pass up an opportunity to honor
one of the true “superheroes” of our time. Amazingly, press
coverage of the death of Neil Armstrong has been scarcely broader than gold
manipulation; however, in a nation focused on the NOW; on superficiality,
gossip, texting, and video games; a guess an “old
coot” like Neil Armstrong – let alone, his lesser-known partners
Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins – are not
worthy of a few hours of attention…
Space
legend Neil Armstrong dies
I was not
yet born when Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20th, 1969
– in easily, the most spectacular scientific accomplishment in
human history. Jules Verne wrote a fictional account of a moon landing
in 1865 – From the Earth
to the Moon – but not a soul imagined it could ever happen.
It took a century of study, but finally – after four other
manned space missions – Apollo 11 accomplished the
impossible…
Apollo 11 Moon Landing
Back then,
the U.S. was still on the gold standard – and hadn’t yet sold its
manufacturing base to the Far East for lobbyists’ campaign
contributions. Thus, a nearly debt-free, fully employed America could afford
to spend 2%-5% of its budget on NASA, creating technology with very real,
productive applications – and, of course, expanding mankind’s
frontiers. Today, however, the “rich and powerful” America spends
less than 0.5% of its budget on NASA; and, after essentially scrapping most
of its space program, NASA has largely become irrelevant. Quite the sad
commentary indeed…
Budget of NASA
When I
think of Neil Armstrong, the thing that stands out most is his courage.
The moon is 239,000 miles away, like circumventing the globe ten times; thus,
the thought of making a first-time trip of this distance – with
just two companions, to boot – is mind-boggling. Let alone, with
essentially untested technology, in OUTER SPACE. Furthermore, on the
way home, your vehicle “burns up” as it plunges into the
Ocean, protected only by a parachute.
It must
have been the loneliest, and most exhilarating, feeling EVER, when Neil
Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon
– a moment I wish I could have experienced, as many readers have. When
America is no longer a “superpower” – which sadly,
won’t be long now – historians will write of the “rise and
fall” of an Empire. In my mind, the Apollo 11 will be regarded as
America’s apex; and for that, I salute Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins – with all my heart.
You
certainly did make “ONE GIANT LEAP” for mankind!
PROTECT
YOURSELF, and do it NOW!
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