Astronaut Neil Armstrong Dies at 82

“One giant leap for mankind”
US News • Views: 41,272

When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took humanity’s first steps on the moon in 1969, I was a teenager in Hawaii, watching the dawning of a new era of space exploration in grainy black-and-white live television. Today we celebrate the life of a real American pioneer: Astronaut Neil Armstrong, First Man to Walk on Moon, Dies at Age 82.

Video
UPDATE at 8/25/12 1:18:34 pm

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192 comments
1 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:04:45pm

Our flag is still there.

2 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:05:24pm
3 Charles Johnson  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:06:08pm

re: #2 Gus

I used the picture you posted earlier - that is the classic photo of Neil.

4 HappyBenghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:06:52pm

A legend not only for our time but for all time. Thanks Neil.

5 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:09:07pm

re: #3 Charles Johnson

I used the picture you posted earlier - that is the classic photo of Neil.

Sure is. You can see the excitement in his eyes.

6 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:10:27pm

I highly recommend this book:

First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong
By James R. Hansen

On July 20, 1969, the world stood still to watch thirty-eight-year-old American astronaut Neil A. Armstrong become the first person to step on the surface of another heavenly body. Perhaps no words in human history became better known than those few he uttered at that historic moment. In a penetrating exploration of American hero worship, Hansen addresses the complex legacy of the First Man, as an astronaut and an individual...

7 allegro  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:10:51pm

Just posted at the tail end of the last thread...

I remember that day in 1969 vividly. I was 16, just had a huge fight with my parents, and I was seriously considering running off to live with the hippies (and really cute guy) I met in Lincoln Park (Chicago). The amazing accomplishment I watched on TV! from the freaking moon! made me realize what a dumbass move that would be when I could choose to get over my piddly, teenage problems, get that science education I had been working towards, and do something with my life.

Thanks Neil! I know I was only one of millions who were so inspired by that extraordinary accomplishment.

8 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:12:21pm

re: #6 Gus

I will read that book after I read this one. [Link: www.amazon.com...]

9 HappyBenghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:14:27pm

I need to read The Right Stuff. Read an excerpt in 10th grade about Chuck Yeager. Always felt a small personal connection to the Space Race due to my great aunt's work with NASA.

10 CriticalDragon1177  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:15:01pm

Charles Johnson,

Neil Armstrong died? I had no idea. We lost great pioneer.

11 abolitionist  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:15:30pm

Flew re: #9 HappyWarrior

I need to read The Right Stuff. Read an excerpt in 10th grade about Chuck Yeager. Always felt a small personal connection to the Space Race due to my great aunt's work with NASA.

The movie is pretty awesome too.

12 Lidane  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:16:42pm

This actually made me tear up, and I wasn't alive when the moon landing happened.

My ex-stepdad worked at NASA when I was growing up. The space program was a big part of my life as a kid. It hurts to think that a legend is now gone. :(

13 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:16:46pm

This song, which I put in the last thread as well, expresses my feelings best.

Youtube Video

And tonight I'll drink a toast to absent heroes.

14 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:16:58pm

This is very nice.

Readers’ Moon Memories - Slide Show - NYTimes.com

15 HappyBenghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:17:21pm

re: #11 abolitionist

Flew

The movie is pretty awesome too.

Yeah need to see that too. Reminds me though, I remember when John Glenn went back up to space after retiring from politics. I was 11 years old. That was way cool. The astronauts and other flight engineers were and are such awesome guys.

16 Charles Johnson  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:18:17pm
17 Charles Johnson  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:19:02pm
18 HappyBenghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:20:06pm

re: #17 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Amazing guy. Knew he was a Korean War vet but not that he flew that many combat missions.

19 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:20:58pm

re: #14 Gus

This is very nice.

Readers’ Moon Memories - Slide Show - NYTimes.com

re: #14 Gus

This is very nice.

Readers’ Moon Memories - Slide Show - NYTimes.com

VERY COOL

20 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:23:39pm

Here's the list of Apollo astronauts. Of the dozen that have walked on the moon, 4 have already picked up their final transfer flight tickets.

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

21 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:24:10pm

I was just a kid in West Islip, Long Island. My dad called out to me and my brother who were riding our bicycles - mine was a Royce Union banana seat bike -- around the neighborhood to tell us that they landed on the moon. We scurried back home to watch the news on TV.

22 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:28:46pm

1969

23 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:29:14pm

What a year.

24 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:30:22pm

re: #20 William Barnett-Lewis

Here's the list of Apollo astronauts. Of the dozen that have walked on the moon, 4 have already picked up their final transfer flight tickets.

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

We need to get back before the last of them has passed. Someone needs to step forward and do this. We have the know-how, we need the billions. Whoever provides them will be remembered a million years from now, when other present-day billionaires have faded into the mist of history.

25 darthstar  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:31:46pm

Facepalm. Rest in peace, Neil. And Neil, keep that heart of gold of yours.

26 Ben G. Hazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:32:28pm

re: #9 HappyWarrior

I need to read The Right Stuff. Read an excerpt in 10th grade about Chuck Yeager. Always felt a small personal connection to the Space Race due to my great aunt's work with NASA.

re: #11 abolitionist

Flew

The movie is pretty awesome too.

As I replied to HappyWarrior a thread back, here's a recommendation from me:

If you get a chance to rent it from Netflix or buy the set, watch the late-90s HBO miniseries From The Earth to the Moon. A Ron Howard/Tom Hanks venture, it chronicles the Apollo program fairly well over 12 one-hour episodes.

The entire miniseries is excellent; great stories and an stellar ensemble cast.

27 Sionainn  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:33:03pm

re: #26 TedStriker

re: #11 abolitionist

As I replied to HappyWarrior a thread back, here's a recommendation from me:

If you get a chance to rent it from Netflix or buy the set, watch the late-90s HBO miniseries From The Earth to the Moon. A Ron Howard/Tom Hanks venture, it chronicles the Apollo program fairly well over 12 one-hour episodes.

The entire miniseries is excellent; great stories and an stellar ensemble cast.

Sounds really interesting.

28 Daniel Ballard  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:33:58pm

I was 9 when Neil walked the moon. Much to my youthful awe and envy we could hear the Saturn 5 engines being tested west of our home. We sometimes heard sonic booms from aircraft out of Edwards AFB. We hung on the news of the X-15 pilots accomplishments. Mom was a civil air patrol member. We flew out of VNY.

Heady days for a youngster.

29 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:34:26pm

Image: 278860main_image_1182_1024-768.jpg

Fly Me to the Moon

Grammy Award-winning producer Quincy Jones presented a platinum copy of 'Fly Me to the Moon' to Senator John Glenn and Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong during NASA's 50th anniversary gala in 2008, a song he originally produced and performed with Frank Sinatra.

Senator Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth as an astronaut in NASA's Mercury Program. Neil Armstrong is the first person to set foot on the moon.

During the gala, Jones performed 'Fly Me to the Moon' with Frank Sinatra Jr.

Image Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

30 darthstar  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:36:27pm

Isaac bears down on Florida.

31 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:37:09pm

re: #24 Shiplord Kirel

We need to get back before the last of them has passed. Someone needs to step forward and do this. We have the know-how, we need the billions. Whoever provides them will be remembered a million years from now, when other present-day billionaires have faded into the mist of history.

The PRC will be there before 2025. We won't. :(

32 darthstar  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:37:22pm

re: #28 Daniel Ballard

[Embedded content]

I was 9 when Neil walked the moon. Much to my youthful awe and envy we could hear the Saturn 5 engines being tested west of our home. We sometimes heard sonic booms from aircraft out of Edwards AFB. We hung on the news of the X-15 pilots accomplishments. Mom was a civil air patrol member. We flew out of VNY.

Heady days for a youngster.

I was five, and was glued to the TV throughout that mission.

33 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:37:30pm

re: #28 Daniel Ballard

[Embedded content]

I was 9 when Neil walked the moon. Much to my youthful awe and envy we could hear the Saturn 5 engines being tested west of our home. We sometimes heard sonic booms from aircraft out of Edwards AFB. We hung on the news of the X-15 pilots accomplishments. Mom was a civil air patrol member. We flew out of VNY.

Heady days for a youngster.

We moved a lot faster back then. Before the moon landing space, NASA, all of this was everywhere. We used to visit the Allied Building in Manhattan to see the space exhibits. It was in other different museums around Manhattan and sometimes just about anywhere -- like a mock up of the LM.

34 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:37:42pm

The next person to walk on the Moon may not be an American. With a 46% creationist population and luddite simpletons trumpeting their ignorance even in the halls of Congress, we probably don't deserve it.

35 Ben G. Hazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:37:51pm

re: #27 Sionainn

Sounds really interesting.

Can't go wrong with Tom Hanks (who, in addition to his co-producing duties, acts as the narrator for the prologue beginning almost every episode, as well as a major role in the last episode), Kevin Pollak, and Cary Elwes, among others.

36 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:37:59pm

re: #33 Gus

We moved a lot faster back then. Before the moon landing space, NASA, all of this was everywhere. We used to visit the Allied Building in Manhattan to see the space exhibits. It was in other different museums around Manhattan and sometimes just about anywhere -- like a mock up of the LM.

And of course the World's Fair.

37 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:38:34pm
38 HappyBenghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:39:46pm

DeGrasse Tyson had a fascinating article about NASA in a Foreign Affairs magazine a couple issues or so back. That was a good read. I've never been hugely into the sciences but space exploration is so fascinating for so many reasons.

39 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:40:01pm

Yeah, I noticed that. My father was born on Oct 2, 1935. He's a day older than the youngest astronaut that walked on the moon...

40 Lidane  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:40:25pm

What kills me is that we're sitting here mourning a legend who showed us what American science and ingenuity can do when it's supported and encouraged, and there are a bunch of atavistic, ignorant morons in this country who want to make our kids dumber and deny the very same science that Neil Armstrong brought to life.

It's galling that 40 years after we walked on the moon, there are people who would turn our educational system back to the goddamn Dark Ages if they could.

41 Kragar  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:42:43pm

re: #40 Lidane

What kills me is that we're sitting here mourning a legend who showed us what American science and ingenuity can do when it's supported and encouraged, and there are a bunch of atavistic, ignorant morons in this country who want to make our kids dumber and deny the very same science that Neil Armstrong brought to life.

It's galling that 40 years after we walked on the moon, there are people who would turn our educational system back to the goddamn Dark Ages if they could.

What kills me is there are people out there who completely deny he ever walked on the moon.

42 darthstar  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:43:17pm

re: #41 Kragar

What kills me is there are people out there who completely deny he ever walked on the moon.

They'll all be in Tampa Monday.

43 Daniel Ballard  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:43:17pm

re: #34 Shiplord Kirel

I hope you are wrong, that science becomes popular again. It should and it can. President Obama, restore NASA funding. Use science and adventure to thrill us again. With all due respect to Curiosity, manned flight is where the thrill and advancement of humanity really resides.

A Penney For NASA. 1% of out massive budget is a deal. Take it Mr President. Take it home and make it stick.

44 Daniel Ballard  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:45:52pm

Charles-Listen up outside-a couple military jets are giving the Valley a low pass.

Today the pilots remind us of who has passed.

45 Lidane  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:47:00pm

re: #41 Kragar

What kills me is there are people out there who completely deny he ever walked on the moon.

Those same morons also deny that the Earth is billions of years old, deny that evolution is real, deny the benefits of vaccines, and deny AGW.

I don't care if they want to be stupid. Just don't make our kids stupid by dumbing down the science curriculum in schools with their ignorance.

46 Sionainn  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:47:35pm

re: #30 darthstar

Isaac bears down on Florida.

I liked Gus' better (Uterus shaped hurricane makes a beeline for the Republican National Convention) Gus' tweet

47 dragonath  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:48:54pm

From the Smithsonian Air and Space museum:

Image: RobertMcCall_FirstMenOnTheMoon_1971_100.jpg

Image: SI-99-15221_640.jpg

The artist is Robert McCall

48 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:50:13pm

I had just started flight training at Fort Wolters at the time of the first Moon landing. The powers that be let us off for the afternoon and evening, probably in the hope that it would provide a boost to morale.
We all trooped to the rec room and watched, interested and whispering casual comments at first, then quieter and more focused, then finally silent and spell-bound. It seems like yesterday, the grainy black and white video, Neil's first words, Walter Cronkite struck speechless for probably the only time in his life. It did indeed provide a boost to my morale, one that persists to this day.

50 sffilk  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:50:40pm

May G-D comfort his family as He does all mourners in Zion and Jerusalem.

The world has become a much sadder place today. He was truly a hero of the 20th century, one of the greatest.

51 Charles Johnson  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:51:40pm

Wow, there are some serious jets flying around the LA area. Just passed close to my house and made the windows shake. I don't know where they're from, but I'd be willing to bet they're saluting Neil.

52 Charles Johnson  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:52:15pm

re: #44 Daniel Ballard

Charles-Listen up outside-a couple military jets are giving the Valley a low pass.

Today the pilots remind us of who has passed.

Yeah, they passed over here a few minutes ago. I think they must have come from the LAX area.

53 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:52:33pm

re: #45 Lidane

Those same morons also deny that the Earth is billions of years old, deny that evolution is real, deny the benefits of vaccines, and deny AGW.

I don't care if they want to be stupid. Just don't make our kids stupid by dumbing down the science curriculum in schools with their ignorance.

They have self-selected for the dust-bin of history. We should thank them for sorting this out on their own.

54 Sionainn  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:52:51pm

re: #41 Kragar

What kills me is there are people out there who completely deny he ever walked on the moon.

My husband (a high school anatomy and physics teacher) and I (daughter of a Ph.D. in zoology) are encouraging our daughters, particularly in math and science. They love it and I'm hoping that they'll continue with their insatiable curiosity about the world their whole lives.

55 wrenchwench  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:54:05pm

re: #46 Sionainn

I liked Gus' better (Uterus shaped hurricane makes a beeline for the Republican National Convention) Gus' tweet

Tampon, Florida is right in the middle. O:

56 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:54:41pm

re: #42 darthstar

They'll all be in Tampa Monday.

With the Uterus Shaped Hurricane zeroing in. (USH)

57 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:55:35pm
58 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:55:46pm

re: #46 Sionainn

I liked Gus' better (Uterus shaped hurricane makes a beeline for the Republican National Convention) Gus' tweet

Gracias.

59 Skandal  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:55:47pm

Buzz Aldrin punched in the face a conspiracy nut who claimed the moon landing was fake:

Youtube Video
60 Daniel Ballard  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:56:14pm

re: #52 Charles Johnson

I'm a little misty eyed from that sound at this moment of remembrance.

61 Targetpractice  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:56:47pm

Thank you, Neil, for ensuring that I and all those of my generation never lived in a world where man had not walked on the Moon.

Godspeed.

62 Charles Johnson  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:57:54pm

Actually, turns out those jets were not for Neil:

63 Sionainn  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:58:42pm

re: #55 wrenchwench

Tampon, Florida is right in the middle. O:

Love it!

64 Daniel Ballard  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:59:13pm

re: #62 Charles Johnson

Kismet.


Those pilots knew.

65 Sionainn  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 1:59:27pm

re: #57 Stanley Sea

[Embedded content]

That's a keeper quote.

66 Ben G. Hazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:01:54pm

re: #62 Charles Johnson

Actually, turns out those jets were not for Neil:

[Embedded content]

The timing is serendipitous, though.

67 Ayeless in Ghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:02:36pm

Saturn 5

Youtube Video
68 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:03:54pm

A political break

69 Stephen T.  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:04:16pm

I've had the Thunderbirds flying in an airshow over my house today. While the jets flying over may not have been for Neil Armstrong. I think they may have done some tribute. I thought I saw the "missing wingman" formation at one point.

70 makeitstopghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:05:24pm

re: #21 Gus

I was just a kid in West Islip, Long Island.

Dude. I'm sitting on my porch in Islip Terrace. Small world.

71 darthstar  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:07:19pm

re: #68 Stanley Sea

A political break

[Embedded content]

librul media

72 BARACK THE VOTE  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:08:03pm

My name is The Left. I'm taking questions for five minutes. /

73 bratwurst  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:09:10pm

re: #68 Stanley Sea

A political break

[Embedded content]

More than a few nitwits on the internets calling The Economist a "liberal rag" today...never mind that they endorsed George W. Bush in 2000 and the Iraq War in 2003.

74 makeitstopghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:09:31pm

re: #72 The Left

My name is The Left. I'm taking questions for five minutes. /

Why do you hate America?
/

75 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:09:37pm

"We are heartbroken to share the news that Neil Armstrong has passed away following complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures, ... Neil was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. ... Neil Armstrong was also a reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his job. He served his Nation proudly, as a navy fighter pilot, test pilot, and astronaut."
-- President of the United State of America, Barrack Obama

76 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:10:06pm

re: #72 The Left

My name is The Left. I'm taking questions for five minutes. /

Why do you hate apple pie and Megyn Kelly's boobies? Oh, and Jesus too.

77 BARACK THE VOTE  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:12:11pm

re: #74 makeitstop

Why do you hate America?
/

Because someone has to!

78 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:12:24pm

re: #72 The Left

My name is The Left. I'm taking questions for five minutes. /

Hey, you're kinda cute!
*smooch*

79 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:12:45pm

re: #72 The Left

My name is The Left. I'm taking questions for five minutes. /

Why the fuck do you hate off shore tax shelters?

80 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:13:33pm

re: #72 The Left

My name is The Left. I'm taking questions for five minutes. /

How can I enjoy sex as much as you people? My life has been, er, restrained.

81 BARACK THE VOTE  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:13:58pm

re: #76 Shiplord Kirel

Why do you hate apple pie and Megyn Kelly's boobies? Oh, and Jesus too.

I love apple pie, but my ratio of cinnamon to nutmeg is special.
I love boobies, but especially the left one.
Jesus saves, Satan spends.

82 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:14:07pm

re: #80 Stanley Sea

Restrained? OMG!

83 freetoken  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:14:29pm

re: #68 Stanley Sea

I note that the extreme, WND-class, Obama haters are coming out strong in the comments at that Economist article. Those commenters are doing everything they can to ignore the actual substance of the article - the commenters do this by not even mentioning Romney but instead starting in on the canned tirades against President Obama.

It's a subtle but sure demonstration that what the Economist writer presented has indeed merit. Romney has tacked so far, so quickly, into the reactionary right camp that he can't be taken to have any belief that is his own.

84 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:15:05pm

Buzz Aldrin's statement:

I am very saddened to learn of the passing of Neil Armstrong today. Neil and I trained together as technical partners but were also good friends who will always be connected through our participation in the mission of Apollo 11.

Whenever I look at the moon it reminds me of the moment over four decades ago when I realized that even though we were farther away from earth than two humans had ever been, we were not alone.

Virtually the entire world took that memorable journey with us. I know I am joined by millions of others in mourning the passing of a true American hero and the best pilot I ever knew. My friend Neil took the small step but giant leap that changed the world and will forever be remembered as a landmark moment in human history.

I had truly hoped that in 2019, we would be standing together along with our colleague Mike Collins to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of our moon landing. Regrettably, this is not to be. Neil will most certainly be there with us in spirit.

On behalf of the Aldrin family, we extend our deepest condolences to Carol and the entire Armstrong family. I will miss my friend Neil as I know our fellow citizens and people around world will miss this foremost aviation and space pioneer.

May he Rest in Peace
-- Buzz Aldrin

85 darthstar  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:15:25pm

re: #80 Stanley Sea

How can I enjoy sex as much as you people? My live has been, er, restrained.

No fair posing questions for Ann Romney...

86 BARACK THE VOTE  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:16:30pm

re: #79 Stanley Sea

Why the fuck do you hate off shore tax shelters?

hate the sin, not the sinner. //

re: #80 Stanley Sea

How can I enjoy sex as much as you people? My live has been, er, restrained.

Let a hundred flowers bloom!

87 Skandal  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:16:38pm

It took enormous courage for the pioneers to venture into space. Success was far from guaranteed. They even prepared a speech had things not gone as planned:

Doomsday Speeches: If D-Day and the Moon Landing Had Failed

88 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:17:28pm

re: #72 The Left

My name is The Left. I'm taking questions for five minutes. /

Why do you hate drones?

89 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:19:02pm

Good read:

Drones and Race

There's a mention of drones way down in  Ta-Nehisi Coates'  fascinating article "Fear of a Black President".  Despite the other strengths of Coates' writing and analysis, this passage exhibits the crippling effect of the "progressive consensus"

The political consequences of race extend beyond the domestic. I am, like many liberals, horrified by Obama’s embrace of a secretive drone policy, and particularly the killing of American citizens without any restraints. A president aware of black America’s tenuous hold on citizenship, of how the government has at times secretly conspired against its advancement—a black president with a broad sense of the world—should know better. Except a black president with Obama’s past is the perfect target for right-wing attacks depicting him as weak on terrorism. The president’s inability to speak candidly on race cannot be bracketed off from his inability to speak candidly on every­thing.

Barack Obama came into office promising to wage war on Al Qaeda. He has done so with great success. To argue, as Coates does, that President Obama's drone war on AQAP results from a craven "submission" to right wing fear mongering is to attack President Obama's character for the sin of doing what he said he would do and for not doing what Dennis Kucinich promised to do. The progressive fantasy that the President somehow should be following their policies and not his policies is a damaging fantasy. Coates even alludes to the progressive complaint that their criticism of the President meets with hostile response from many Democrats but he does not understand what draws the hostility. Progressives don't seem to be able to make policy criticisms without insisting that the President is, as the Republicans claim, a weak vacillating character whose statements about his own intentions can be ignored. Such arguments don't make much sense, but they do have the effect of amplifying the fundamental GOP marketing message that Democrats are weak and untrustworthy. Enough of this stupidity. We have a strong Democrat in office - give him his due.

Continue reading.

90 Ayeless in Ghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:20:13pm

I have been instructed to inform you that The Left will take no more questions until further notice and further application of booze.

Youtube Video
91 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:20:44pm

I remember being in Florida, and watching the Apollo missions launch. Standing on the bed, looking out the window, across the water & wondering why the ground was shaking beneath my feet. Very special men to fly in those things. RIP Neal.

92 ghazidor  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:20:47pm

re: #72 The Left

My name is The Left. I'm taking questions for five minutes. /

Aren't you scared of going to hell for your socialistic ideals like using public funds to help the poor and the Ill? Why should we all be made to suffer just to help out our neighbors who are in need? My pastor keeps telling me that as a Christian I am guaranteed prosperity yet you advocate taking my money away to give it to someone else that hasn't even worked for it! How can you be so un-Christian and flaunt "Gods plan" so wantonly?

93 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:20:47pm

re: #90 Aye Pod

rofl

94 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:21:02pm

re: #90 Aye Pod

So, apply the booze already...

95 Ayeless in Ghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:21:59pm

Update: Comment 90 now with video

96 TDG2112  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:22:17pm

Image: 65_years.png


"The universe is probably littered with the one-planet graves of cultures which made the sensible economic decision that there's no good reason to go into space--each discovered, studied, and remembered by the ones who made the irrational decision."

97 Ben G. Hazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:22:19pm

re: #84 Gus

Buzz Aldrin's statement:

I am very saddened to learn of the passing of Neil Armstrong today. Neil and I trained together as technical partners but were also good friends who will always be connected through our participation in the mission of Apollo 11.

Whenever I look at the moon it reminds me of the moment over four decades ago when I realized that even though we were farther away from earth than two humans had ever been, we were not alone.

Virtually the entire world took that memorable journey with us. I know I am joined by millions of others in mourning the passing of a true American hero and the best pilot I ever knew. My friend Neil took the small step but giant leap that changed the world and will forever be remembered as a landmark moment in human history.

I had truly hoped that in 2019, we would be standing together along with our colleague Mike Collins to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of our moon landing. Regrettably, this is not to be. Neil will most certainly be there with us in spirit.

On behalf of the Aldrin family, we extend our deepest condolences to Carol and the entire Armstrong family. I will miss my friend Neil as I know our fellow citizens and people around world will miss this foremost aviation and space pioneer.

May he Rest in Peace
-- Buzz Aldrin

Classy guy, Buzz is; it really is a shame that all three couldn't make it to the 50th anniversary, but death comes for us all, even for heroes and legends.

Just a side note: Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle, Breaking Bad) played Aldrin in From the Earth to the Moon; IMO, his best dramatic role besides Breaking Bad's Walter White.

98 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:22:20pm

re: #94 Dancing along the light of day

I think they are waiting for the Scotch to age. /

99 William of Orange  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:23:15pm

No way!! Biggest mistake of the day.

100 Sionainn  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:23:54pm

re: #89 Gus

Good read:

Drones and Race

Barack Obama came into office promising to wage war on Al Qaeda. He has done so with great success. To argue, as Coates does, that President Obama's drone war on AQAP results from a craven "submission" to right wing fear mongering is to attack President Obama's character for the sin of doing what he said he would do and for not doing what Dennis Kucinich promised to do. The progressive fantasy that the President somehow should be following their policies and not his policies is a damaging fantasy. Coates even alludes to the progressive complaint that their criticism of the President meets with hostile response from many Democrats but he does not understand what draws the hostility. Progressives don't seem to be able to make policy criticisms without insisting that the President is, as the Republicans claim, a weak vacillating character whose statements about his own intentions can be ignored. Such arguments don't make much sense, but they do have the effect of amplifying the fundamental GOP marketing message that Democrats are weak and untrustworthy. Enough of this stupidity. We have a strong Democrat in office - give him his due.

Continue reading.

Meh. I'm a liberal and I'm glad we are using drones instead of people to take out terrorists. I've got not one problem with it at all.

101 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:23:54pm

re: #84 Gus

Buzz Aldrin's statement:

I am very saddened to learn of the passing of Neil Armstrong today. Neil and I trained together as technical partners but were also good friends who will always be connected through our participation in the mission of Apollo 11.

Whenever I look at the moon it reminds me of the moment over four decades ago when I realized that even though we were farther away from earth than two humans had ever been, we were not alone.

Virtually the entire world took that memorable journey with us. I know I am joined by millions of others in mourning the passing of a true American hero and the best pilot I ever knew. My friend Neil took the small step but giant leap that changed the world and will forever be remembered as a landmark moment in human history.

I had truly hoped that in 2019, we would be standing together along with our colleague Mike Collins to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of our moon landing. Regrettably, this is not to be. Neil will most certainly be there with us in spirit.

On behalf of the Aldrin family, we extend our deepest condolences to Carol and the entire Armstrong family. I will miss my friend Neil as I know our fellow citizens and people around world will miss this foremost aviation and space pioneer.

May he Rest in Peace
-- Buzz Aldrin

More tear drops.

102 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:24:23pm

re: #95 Aye Pod

Update: Comment 90 now with video

Linky? PLEASE?

103 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:25:54pm

re: #101 Stanley Sea

More tear drops.

Yep.

104 Ayeless in Ghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:26:40pm

re: #102 Dancing along the light of day

Linky? PLEASE?

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

105 TDG2112  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:26:53pm

re: #40 Lidane

What kills me is that we're sitting here mourning a legend who showed us what American science and ingenuity can do when it's supported and encouraged, and there are a bunch of atavistic, ignorant morons in this country who want to make our kids dumber and deny the very same science that Neil Armstrong brought to life.

It's galling that 40 years after we walked on the moon, there are people who would turn our educational system back to the goddamn Dark Ages if they could.

Take action
[Link: penny4nasa.org...]
[Link: www.fightforspace.com...]

106 jaunte  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:27:29pm

re: #72 The Left

My name is The Left. I'm taking questions for five minutes. /

Of all the places you and the UN could choose to invade... why Texas?

107 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:28:37pm

re: #90 Aye Pod

LOLOL

108 Ben G. Hazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:29:34pm

re: #106 jaunte

Of all the places you and the UN could choose to invade... why Texas?

I'll take this one: because they deserve it, that's why.

///partially

109 freetoken  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:30:14pm

Some Tennessee Republicans dodge questions about GOP abortion language

Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander disagrees with the anti-abortion language his party’s platform committee adopted in Tampa this week.

The Republican National Convention’s Platform Committee adopted language that called for outlawing all abortions and made no exceptions for rape, incest or threats to the life of the mother.

The issue – thrust into the spotlight by the platform committee’s work and controversial comments by Missouri GOP Senate candidate Todd Akin – has left other Tennessee Republicans scrambling.

They are eager to condemn Akin for saying women’s bodies have special ways of protecting themselves from impregnation due to a “legitimate rape.”

But only Alexander and Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Brentwood would offer definitive positions on whether there should be exceptions.

Despite repeated attempts through e-mails and phone messages, Republican Reps. Stephen Fincher of Frog Jump and Scott DesJarlais of Jasper, as well as Sen. Bob Corker would not respond to the question about whether there should be exceptions for cases of rape, incest or threats to the life of the mother.

Rep. Diane Black of Gallatin responded but didn’t say what her own view was on whether exceptions should be allowed.

[...]

Black, in a statement, said Friday: “I believe that life begins at conception; that each life is given by our Creator. I am proud to be a member of a party that stands for protecting all human life – both the born and unborn. States should have the ability to decide whether there will be exceptions made in cases of rape, incest or threat to the life of the mother.” She did not say whether she favors the exceptions.

[...]

One of the tasks of this whole abortion plank of the GOP is to act as the surrogate for "America is a Christian Nation" claim.

Now, in the given example, how can one square the " life begins at conception" belief of Diane Black with the "States should have the ability to decide whether there will be exceptions..."? Well, one can't, really. But that doesn't matter, because the religious mantra of "life begins at conception", like all mantras, is there simply to be repeated in a robot-like fashion, without thought.

110 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:30:30pm

re: #99 William of Orange

No way!! Biggest mistake of the day.

They did. I posted the link here before I did a quick scan, said "WTF!" and scrambled back for a quick edit before time was up.

111 BARACK THE VOTE  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:30:52pm

jimmah: I'm in the mood for some half man, half biscuit.

me: ??

112 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:31:49pm

HAHAHAHA

113 William of Orange  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:31:51pm

Sad day.

114 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:32:59pm

re: #106 jaunte

Of all the places you and the UN could choose to invade... why Texas?

That's where the Alamo is. The plan to demolish it to make way for the Che Guevara Center for Social Change. They need the golf courses for parking.

115 BARACK THE VOTE  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:33:24pm

me: Everyone's gonna think that's some kinda freaky sex thing.

Jimmah: Wha?

116 Ayeless in Ghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:33:29pm

Half Man Half Biscuit

Youtube Video
117 freetoken  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:35:02pm

'Birther' bill supporters among GOP Platform Committee members

At an event in Michigan on Friday, Mitt Romney joked about the veracity of President Obama's birth certificate and once again called attention to the GOP's awkward dance with a grassroots movement that has long questioned the president's citizenship and eligibility to hold office.

While the "birther" cause seems confined to the harebrained fringes of American politics, it's actually somewhat closer to the official domain of Republican politics than party leaders would like to admit.

[...]

Tennessee Rep. Marsha Blackburn, a co-chairman of the platform committee, co-sponsored a 2009 House bill called the "Presidential Eligibility Act."

The bill would have required presidential candidates to submit a copy of one's birth certificate before seeking office. It died in committee.

At the time, Blackburn said she had no doubts about Obama's citizenship. But she defended the proposal, saying that "the best way to prevent this distraction from manifesting itself in future elections is to implement a standard of proof that all candidates must abide by when they pursue the office of president."

A second platform committee member, Alabama state Sen. Cam Ward, co-sponsored a 2011 bill in the state house requiring candidates "to submit a certified copy of his or her birth certificate before his or her name is placed on a ballot."

Then there's Kim Lehman, a member of the Republican National Committee from Iowa who was also involved in drafting the party platform. Lehman hasn't questioned Obama's citizenship - just his religion.

She caused a stir in 2010 when she falsely claimed that Obama is a Muslim and accused the media of concealing his true faith.

[...]

Birtherism runs deep in the GOP "base".

119 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:36:02pm

re: #100 Sionainn

Meh. I'm a liberal and I'm glad we are using drones instead of people to take out terrorists. I've got not one problem with it at all.

QFT.

120 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:36:41pm

Predator® UAS

121 William of Orange  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:37:55pm

Interesting to read the Nixon transcript that was made if the moonlanding went wrong. Thankfully it turned out to be an all around great mission. I was actually born the moment that great candle under their butts, the Saturn V rocket, lit up. Kind of my spiritual link to the moonlanding.

page 1

page 2

122 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:38:04pm
Youtube Video

The Romney Bunch

123 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:41:42pm

NASA to Fly T-38 and F-18 Fighter Jets 1,500 Feet Above LA on Saturday

NASA, in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration, will conduct training and photographic flights over the Los Angeles area on Saturday, Aug. 25.

Two NASA jets, a T-38 and an F-18, will fly approximately 1,500 feet above Los Angeles starting...

Keep reading.

124 jaunte  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:41:56pm
125 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:41:56pm

re: #115 The Left

me: Everyone's gonna think that's some kinda freaky sex thing.

Jimmah: Wha?

Of COURSE it is!

126 freetoken  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:43:04pm

Kim tells us "what life is about":

Youtube Video
127 wrenchwench  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:44:34pm

re: #118 Skandal

The Apollo 11 Lunar plaque left on the Moon:

HERE MEN FROM THE PLANET EARTH FIRST SET FOOT UPON THE MOON JULY 1969, A.D. WE CAME IN PEACE FOR ALL MANKIND (Signatures: Armstrong, Collins, Aldrin, Nixon)

I'm glad they let Collins sign it. Nixon, not so much.

128 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:45:06pm

"If we die, we want people to accept it. We are in a risky business and we hope that if anything happens to us it will not delay the program. The conquest of space is worth the risk of life."

—Grissom, after the Gemini 3 mission, March 1965

129 Achilles Tang  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:45:12pm

re: #126 freetoken

Kim tells us "what life is about":

[Embedded content]

Did you actually look up and watch the whole thing?

130 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:45:16pm

re: #126 freetoken

Kim tells us "what life is about":

[Embedded content]

absolute sick

131 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:45:34pm

Thank you Neil. I just wish our nation hadn't thrown your achievement in the trash can. Perhaps the Chinese will set up a tourist trap at Tranquility base when they get there long before our achievement hating, science fearing & young earth creationist ignorance pushing TP/GOP ever allows our nation to.

132 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:45:38pm

re: #128 Dancing along the light of day

"If we die, we want people to accept it. We are in a risky business and we hope that if anything happens to us it will not delay the program. The conquest of space is worth the risk of life."

—Grissom, after the Gemini 3 mission, March 1965

Sierra Hotel

133 Ayeless in Ghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:45:43pm

We gotta say goodnight - all this talk of biscuits is getting me hot :)

Have a good one folks!

134 freetoken  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:45:49pm

re: #129 Achilles Tang

Only watched the Youtube takeout, not the whole show.

135 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:46:10pm

re: #129 Achilles Tang

Did you actually look up and watch the whole thing?

I watched it. Sick.

136 wrenchwench  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:46:31pm

re: #124 jaunte

[Embedded content]

The guys at Pocho.com are tweeting tasteless yet funny jokes.

137 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:46:47pm

We talking about today's role models?

138 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:46:56pm

re: #135 Stanley Sea

I watched it. Sick.

Well, to have that much money/shoes/etc. for nothing. I guess that's what pisses everyone off.

139 freetoken  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:47:10pm

re: #137 Gus

Kim K. Kim is our role model.

140 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:48:01pm

re: #139 freetoken

Kim K. Kim is our role model.

First time I ever heard her voice.

141 makeitstopghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:48:02pm

re: #122 Stanley Sea

[Embedded content]

The Romney Bunch

Gah. Too much slap echo on the vocals.

/recording geek

142 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:48:02pm

re: #139 freetoken

Maybe yours, not mine!

143 freetoken  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:48:08pm

Anyone with less than 50 pairs of shoes doesn't know what life is all about.

144 Achilles Tang  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:48:21pm

re: #138 Stanley Sea

Well, to have that much money/shoes/etc. for nothing. I guess that's what pisses everyone off.

How much did these bimbos contribute to a Romney superpac? Do they know how to spell "election"?

Edited to add: I was going to misspell that word.

145 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:48:30pm

re: #143 freetoken

Anyone with less than 50 pairs of shoes doesn't know what life is all about.

I don't know about that.

146 freetoken  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:48:58pm

Mitt Romney : average American :: Kim K. : average American .

147 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:49:47pm

re: #144 Achilles Tang

How much did these bimbos contribute to a Romney superpac? Do they know how to spell "election"?

Prob nothing. And no, I'd bet you $$ that they don't vote. Unless there's a camera. Kanye, yes. Kim, no.

148 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:49:55pm

I'm pretty sure there are plenty of people that own more than 50 pairs of shoes and knows more about life than some guy with one pair of shoes.

149 Interesting Times in Benghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:50:57pm
150 abolitionist  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:51:00pm

re: #146 freetoken

Mitt Romney : average American :: Kim K. : average American .

Not Sure : average American

151 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:51:04pm

GAH No more Kim K crap

More importantly....I've cleaned my floors today. Whoo, living alone has benefits....housework! No, I'm loving it, just loving it.

152 Daniel Ballard  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:51:25pm

re: #123 Gus

NASA to Fly T-38 and F-18 Fighter Jets 1,500 Feet Above LA on Saturday

They are trimming trees for the landing? Oh I just gotta be there with my crew and the cameras.

153 wrenchwench  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:51:29pm

re: #140 Gus

First time I ever heard her voice.

I learned how to pronounce 'Kanye'.

154 freetoken  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:51:37pm

And with that... it's time to go for my walk. Maybe I'll be able to glean a few figs.

Oh, speaking of figs, that reminds me. Though I'm pretty disappointed with combining figs with chocolate, with the low cost of mangoes these days I tried combining mango with chocolate. Not a clashing flavor combination, but also not really enhancing the chocolate. Makes the latter taste "nuttier" without tasting more chocolaty.

155 Skandal  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:53:12pm

New York Times front page July 21, 1969

156 wrenchwench  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:53:55pm

re: #154 freetoken

And with that... it's time to go for my walk. Maybe I'll be able to glean a few figs.

Oh, speaking of figs, that reminds me. Though I'm pretty disappointed with combining figs with chocolate, with the low cost of mangoes these days I tried combining mango with chocolate. Not a clashing flavor combination, but also not really enhancing the chocolate. Makes the latter taste "nuttier" without tasting more chocolaty.

I ate a piece of frozen mango last night. Better than ice cream.

157 ghazidor  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:54:09pm

Well I hope that the cat remembers todays experience for a while, he has been getting more and more pushy about begging food when I am eating something. This time I set down a plate of 400 degree still sizzling chicken wings fresh out of the oven and walked out of the room for a minute, one screeching yowl later I walked back in to find one of the wings off the plate and on the table, and the cat on the floor giving me a dirty look. Honestly it is like he thinks I set him up or something... ;)

Bwahahahaha!

158 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:54:30pm

re: #153 wrenchwench

I learned how to pronounce 'Kanye'.

I learned how to pronounce it when I listened to him a few time on an acid jazz radio show a while back. Kahn-yeah.

159 wrenchwench  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:56:00pm

re: #158 Gus

I learned how to pronounce it when I listened to him a few time on an acid jazz radio show a while back. Kahn-yeah.

That must have been when you were in California.

160 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:56:26pm

re: #159 wrenchwench

That must have been when you were in California.

Denver actually. KUVO

161 Ben G. Hazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:56:32pm

re: #128 Dancing along the light of day

"If we die, we want people to accept it. We are in a risky business and we hope that if anything happens to us it will not delay the program. The conquest of space is worth the risk of life."

—Grissom, after the Gemini 3 mission, March 1965

A quote used as a bit of a plot device in the From the Earth to the Moon episode about Apollo 1; fellow astronaut Frank Borman reads it during Congressional hearings on the accident when asked a hypothetical question about what the crew would say about the Apollo program. I don't know if that happened in real life, but if it did, it was a fitting tribute to those who died.

Also, Walter Mondale was played as a bit of a dick in that episode as willing to shut down the Apollo program if it meant that he could fund his pet projects; I still want to scream "You suck, Mondale!" at the screen every time I watch that episode.

162 dragonfire1981  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:56:38pm

Giant steps are what you take
Walking on the moon
I hope my legs don't break
Walking on the moon
We could walk forever
Walking on the moon
We could live together
Walking on, walking on the moon

163 makeitstopghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:56:44pm

re: #157 Tiny Alien Kitties are Watching You

Well I hope that the cat remembers todays experience for a while, he has been getting more and more pushy about begging food when I am eating something. This time I set down a plate of 400 degree still sizzling chicken wings fresh out of the oven and walked out of the room for a minute, one screeching yowl later I walked back in to find one of the wings off the plate and on the table, and the cat on the floor giving me a dirty look. Honestly it is like he thinks I set him up or something... ;)

Bwahahahaha!

That'll learn him! Heh.

164 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:57:44pm

Sierra Hotel = shit hot.

:)

165 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 2:58:23pm

Chinese Moon landing: The Sputnik from hell.

Just as in 1957, there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth in Congress, hand-wringing in the media, and plenty of recriminations. Unlike in 1957, the blame will almost place itself, on a political luddite culture whose headlong plunge back to the Dark Ages can hardly be disguised once disaster strikes.

166 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:01:32pm
167 PhillyPretzel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:04:24pm

re: #166 Gus

I like the phrase after "@" The Real Buzz.

168 wrenchwench  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:07:13pm

re: #165 Shiplord Kirel

Chinese Moon landing: The Sputnik from hell.

Just as in 1957, there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth in Congress, hand-wringing in the media, and plenty of recriminations. Unlike in 1957, the blame will almost place itself, on a political luddite culture whose headlong plunge back to the Dark Ages can hardly be disguised once disaster strikes.

That plunge is ironically aided by one of the last men to walk on the moon, Harrison Schmitt.

[...]

Schmitt was chair of the NASA Advisory Council, whose mandate is to provide technical advice to the NASA Administrator, from November 2005 until his abrupt resignation on October 16, 2008.[13] In November 2008, he quit the Planetary Society over policy advocacy differences, citing the organization's statements on "focusing on Mars as the driving goal of human spaceflight" (Schmitt said that going back to the Moon would speed progress toward a manned Mars mission), on "accelerating research into global climate change through more comprehensive Earth observations" (Schmitt voiced objections to the notion of a present "scientific consensus" on climate change as any policy guide), and on international cooperation (which he felt would retard rather than accelerate progress), among other points of divergence.[14]

Regarding the international scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change, Schmitt has said that "[t]he CO2 scare is a red herring",[15] that the "global warming scare is being used as a political tool to increase government control over American lives, incomes and decision-making," and that scientists who might otherwise challenge prevailing views on climate change dare not do so for fear of losing funding.[16]

Likewise, in a 2009 interview with conservative talk-radio host Alex Jones, Schmitt asserted a link between Soviet Communism and the American environmental movement: "I think the whole trend really began with the fall of the Soviet Union. Because the great champion of the opponents of liberty, namely communism, had to find some other place to go and they basically went into the environmental movement."[17] At the Heartland Institute's 6th International Conference on Climate Change Schmitt said that climate change was a stalking horse for Nazism.[18]

In January, 2011, he was appointed as Secretary of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department in the cabinet of Governor Susana Martinez,[19] but was forced to give up the appointment the following month after refusing to submit to a required background investigation.[20]

[...]

New Mexico's embarrassment.

169 Dancing along the light of day  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:12:23pm

re: #152 Daniel Ballard

They are trimming trees for the landing? Oh I just gotta be there with my crew and the cameras.

9/20 is now on my calendar! WOOT!

170 Charles Johnson  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:13:15pm
171 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:13:15pm

Paged #Drones and Race

172 William Barnett-Lewis  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:13:17pm

re: #165 Shiplord Kirel

Chinese Moon landing: The Sputnik from hell.

Just as in 1957, there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth in Congress, hand-wringing in the media, and plenty of recriminations. Unlike in 1957, the blame will almost place itself, on a political luddite culture whose headlong plunge back to the Dark Ages can hardly be disguised once disaster strikes.

I wish I could believe that. No, if we haven't purged the TP/GOP from our political system by then, their response will be "So? God doesn't want us there."

173 Gus  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:15:18pm

No sound from the actual film, but:

Neil Armstrong: Astronaut -- Ukulele Player

Youtube Video
174 Stanghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:20:17pm

See ya'll, got the save me invite to a bbq.

175 Charles Johnson  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:23:50pm

Buzz Aldrin is on Twitter, by the way:

@TheRealBuzz

176 909Ghazis  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:23:50pm

Rest in Peace Mr Armstrong. We not only sent people to the moon we brought them back. I look around now and all I can say is; "And we sent men to the moon? What the fuck happened to us?"

177 William of Orange  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:28:58pm

You've got to be joking me....

178 Charles Johnson  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:29:08pm

I see the wingnuts are having another outrage-fest because they uncovered the shocking fact that two women who are portrayed as ex-Republicans in a pro-Obama web ad are registered as Democrats.

That's the thing about ex-Republicans - they tend to register as Democrats.

179 HappyBenghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:31:38pm

re: #178 Charles Johnson

I see the wingnuts are having another outrage-fest because they uncovered the shocking fact that two women who are portrayed as ex-Republicans in a pro-Obama web ad are registered as Democrats.

That's the thing about ex-Republicans - they tend to register as Democrats.

Yeah, I don't know what they expect. Their heads are totally buried in the sand. Their problem not mine.

180 Daniel Ballard  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:31:54pm

re: #175 Charles Johnson

Thanks much!

181 William of Orange  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:32:31pm
182 Skandal  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:33:23pm

re: #165 Shiplord Kirel

It's amazing how quickly the technology progressed and how much determination it entailed. It took a mere 66 years to go from the first flights at Kitty Hawk to arriving at the Sea of Tranquility. The most inspirational, exciting and potentially important adventure we as a species have ever undertaken appears close to being abandoned. As significant as projects such as the Curiosity Rover are nothing is comparable to the absolute thrill of humans exploring beyond this (as Carl Sagan put it) Pale Blue Dot.

Vimeo
183 wrenchwench  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:34:48pm

re: #178 Charles Johnson

I see the wingnuts are having another outrage-fest because they uncovered the shocking fact that two women who are portrayed as ex-Republicans in a pro-Obama web ad are registered as Democrats.

That's the thing about ex-Republicans - they tend to register as Democrats.

In a two party system it is important to be able to count to two.

184 Daniel Ballard  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:37:32pm

The very finest thing we could possibly do for Neil Armstrong's memory is get humans back into space on American spaceships designed to take us farther than we have gone before. L3, Mars, the belt. Those are the frontiers we can visit or cower from.

185 makeitstopghazi  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:39:17pm

re: #184 Daniel Ballard

The very finest thing we could possibly do for Neil Armstrong's memory is get humans back into space on American spaceships designed to take us farther than we have gone before. L3, Mars, the belt. Those are the frontiers we can visit or cower from.

Unfortunately, the anti-science Modern GOP will force the 'cowering' option on us all.

186 Daniel Ballard  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:41:20pm

re: #185 makeitstop

Maybe. It ain't over YET.

187 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:44:42pm

Lest the Magical Balance Fairy rear its brainlesss head, yes, there are still lefty space luddites. They are apparently afraid we intend to strip mine Saturn (quite a trick, no?) or build a refuge for the 1% on, appropriately enough, Uranus. They are not the problem just now, though, and they are certainly not the ones carrying out a wholesale assault on science.

188 Shiplord Kirel  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:51:52pm

re: #185 makeitstop

Unfortunately, the anti-science Modern GOP will force the 'cowering' option on us all.

They'll collapse into a regional rump party in 10 years or less, reflecting their origin in the religious right. Like the modern evangelical movement itself, this will actually be geared toward marketing rather than political power. They will make millions peddling conspiracy books and DVDs, MLM schemes, home-schooling anti-texts, and quack health supplements but they will be a mere irritant rather than a player on the national stage. The traditional Republican business community will find a new horse to put its money on, possibly right-leaning Democrats, or a recurrent crop of super-rich independents, or possibly even a new party entirely.

189 abolitionist  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 3:52:48pm

re: #184 Daniel Ballard

The very finest thing we could possibly do for Neil Armstrong's memory is get humans back into space on American spaceships designed to take us farther than we have gone before. L3, Mars, the belt. Those are the frontiers we can visit or cower from.

Explanation of L3: Lagrangian point

The Lagrangian points (play /ləˈɡrɑːndʒiən/; also Lagrange points, L-points, or libration points) are the five positions in an orbital configuration where a small object affected only by gravity can theoretically be part of a constant-shape pattern with two larger objects (such as a satellite with respect to the Earth and Moon).

There are 5 such L-points. For our Earth-Moon system, L3 would be a stable point nearby Earth but on the opposite side from the Moon. But since the Moon would be permanently eclipsed, one of the other points might be more advantageous.

190 OhNoBenghazi!  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 4:12:46pm

Wow, it puts things in perspective, doesn't it? All of the vitriol and nonsense that dominates our attention right now, will be a footnote in history, maybe.

Neil Armstrong though, and Sally Ride, and Guy Bluford , along with all of the other NASA pioneers, these are the men and women who represent the best of humanity. In the future, whether we travel to Mars, or to the ends of the Milky Way, we'll know that, as amazing as those accomplishments will be, none of it would have happened without that one small step taken by Neil Armstrong.

He'll be sorely missed, but never forgotten.

191 OhNoBenghazi!  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 4:14:36pm

I wasn't even a sparkle in my parents eyes when we landed on the moon, but my how it inspired my father, and then, my childhood. So much in fact, that after the Challenger disaster, my family and I attended Judy Reznik's funeral, outside of course. The Temple that her family attended, is less than a mile from my house. In fact, we graduated from the same high school. She's a hometown hero.

192 nutz4Tuna  Sat, Aug 25, 2012 5:09:10pm

The Onion's Headline from 21 JUL 1969


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