Not Because They Are Easy

Apollo Moon Landing

Forty years ago today, men walked on the moon for the first time. It was an amazing accomplishment, and one that people told President John F. Kennedy would not, and should not, ever happen. But he did not listen to the naysayers. He believed that government could accomplish big, sweeping things; and furthermore, government should challenge itself to do so.

Those who came before us made certain that this country rode the first waves of the industrial revolution, the first waves of modern invention, and the first wave of nuclear power, and this generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the coming age of space. We mean to be a part of it–we mean to lead it. For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace. We have vowed that we shall not see space filled with weapons of mass destruction, but with instruments of knowledge and understanding.

Yet the vows of this Nation can only be fulfilled if we in this Nation are first, and, therefore, we intend to be first. In short, our leadership in science and industry, our hopes for peace and security, our obligations to ourselves as well as others, all require us to make this effort, to solve these mysteries, to solve them for the good of all men, and to become the world’s leading space-faring nation.

We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people. For space science, like nuclear science and all technology, has no conscience of its own. Whether it will become a force for good or ill depends on man, and only if the United States occupies a position of pre-eminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theater of war. I do not say that we should or will go unprotected against the hostile misuse of space any more than we go unprotected against the hostile use of land or sea, but I do say that space can be explored and mastered without feeding the fires of war, without repeating the mistakes that man has made in extending his writ around this globe of ours.

There is no strife, no prejudice, no national conflict in outer space as yet. Its hazards are hostile to us all. Its conquest deserves the best of all mankind, and its opportunity for peaceful cooperation many never come again. But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas?

We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too (emphasis mine).

When was America’s last scientific breakthrough of this magnitude? Where is the sweeping vision of our leaders? Why is it that every time a government official proposes a grand idea, swarms of nasty little minds nibble it to death like piranhas attacking a tasty dolphin?

Tidbits

Quick, Mr. President: Make a Speech!

Heading into a critical period in the debate over health-care reform, public approval of President Obama’s stewardship on the issue has dropped below the 50 percent threshold for the first time, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Obama’s approval ratings on other front-burner issues, such as the economy and the federal budget deficit, have also slipped over the summer, as rising concern about spending and continuing worries about the economy combine to challenge his administration. Barely more than half approve of the way he is handling unemployment, which now tops 10 percent in 15 states and the District.

The president’s overall approval rating remains higher than his marks on particular domestic issues, with 59 percent giving him positive reviews and 37 percent disapproving. But this is the first time in his presidency that Obama has fallen under 60 percent in Post-ABC polling, and the rating is six percentage points lower than it was a month ago.

Obama has taken on a series of major problems during his young presidency, but he faces a particularly difficult fight over his effort to encourage Congress to pass an overhaul of the nation’s health-care system.

I spoke to my father last night. He is an expert on government-run health care, due to his years of experience as Regional Administrator of the Health Care Finance Administration. He says there are two ways to reduce health care costs, provide quality health care and cover all Americans (Obama’s Three Principles).

The first way is single-payer. The second is Hillarycare from the 90’s, which was something no one had ever tried, and thus, would only work in theory.  So, the only guaranteed way is single-payer, which is the system every other civilized country in the world has.

Unfortunately, since single-payer will not put bunches of money into health insurance company coffers, it won’t happen.

Iraq Troop Deaths Under “Dovish” Obama Reach Century Mark

Remember how Hillary voted for the war? I’m sure the fact that Obama plans on remaining in Iraq 4-evah is all her fault. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

The number of U.S. troops who have died while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom since President Obama’s inauguration has now reached 100. This figure includes both combat and non-combat deaths that occurred since January 20. A few of the deaths were of servicemembers who died of injuries received before the inauguration but did not pass away until afterwards. Three U.S. soldiers who were killed in a Katyusha rocket attack last night were the latest reported casualties.

President Obama ran a campaign that promised Americans an end to the war in Iraq. Many were hoping for an  immediate resolution in January. Their disappointment in the president’s slow withdrawal and change of focus to Afghanistan and Pakistan is eclipsed only by those who are directly serving in the war theater. According to army officials, the suicide rate among Iraq and Afghanistan servicemembers is higher than last year and increasing. Indeed, of the 100 dead, only 32 were reported as combat incidents.

Mitt, Sarah are Top Two Likely Republican Nominees in 2012

Since Mitt has that all-important PA (Penis Advantage), plus more than 2.5 years experience as a Governor, plus oodles and buckets of $$$$, plus that mushy “post-partisan” lack of any convictions whatsoever…I’m guessing it’s gonna be Mitt.

If the 2012 presidential election were held today, President Obama and possible Republican nominee Mitt Romney would be all tied up at 45% each, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

The president, seeking a second four-year term, beats another potential GOP rival, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, by six points – 48% to 42%.

In both match-ups, seven percent (7%) like some other candidate, with three percent (3%) undecided.

Palin is second only to Romney as the presidential candidate Republican voters say right now that they’ll vote for in 2012 state GOP primaries. But she’s also one of two candidates they least hope wins the party’s nomination.

Six months in office for our Obamacratic Establishment, and already the Republicans are being seen as a viable alternative.

We.

Told.

You.

So.

OPEN THREAD

UPDATE per LadyBoomerNYC: SOS Clinton goes On the Record tonight at 10 pm, with Greta van Susteren. Thanks, LB, for the heads-up!

Morning Widdershins: THE PLEASURE OF THEIR COMPANY

I am a bookworm. I make no bones about it, I read a lot. I have spoken before of my love for the written word and am hard pressed to pinpoint a time in my life when I did not have a book in my hands which led to some pretty bad dinners set before my family when I found myself buried within the pages of a book while the dinner was left to overcook itself.

Books have been my salvation in a sense. They took me away to safe places as the world in which I resided was shook by uncertainties and chaos over which I had little control. Finding refuge in the pages, I was able to shut out my surroundings for a time, carried away to other worlds that served as a balm to a troubled spirit.

Although I have read many books, there are a few that had a profound impact on me as I permitted the author to take up residence in my mind. Upon reading Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” I felt the dust in my mouth as he narrated the story of the Joad family, inching their way across the nation seeking the land of plenty as had been promised awaited them in California during the Depression years of the 30’s. His ability to chronicle the devastation of that time along with the displacement of whole families who had tended the land for centuries, was a mixture of despair and hope. He was able to capture the indestructibility of the human spirit coupled with the exposure of a corrupt system of governance that led to so much of the suffering. The impact was stunning.