And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
When I was 3 years old, I sat on the floor in front of my grandparents television and watched Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on the moon. I remember this. I have been fascinated by every mission since.
Each time, whether an Apollo mission, a Space Shuttle, or one of the many probe launches, I have been initially apprehensive and then I have wept. I weep because we have once again broken the bonds of this small rock we live on! I weep because I am overwhelmed by the shear complexity of it and the monumental effort of my fellow human beings to do something beyond mere existence! In the last 30 years, I have also wept because we, as a species, appeared to have lost the will and drive to venture beyond our limited horizon. When spouse, siblings, or children have asked why I am crying...I cannot fully convey the emotions to them. They do not understand.
When SpaceX came on the scene, I was hopeful. The latest NASA Orion mission, circling the moon and returning the Astronauts safely home? I wept and I cheered!
We humans have NOT forgotten what we are capable of! We will not die out on this dust mote we call home, having never ventured out into the greater universe!
I am now 60 and in failing health. With luck, I may live to see humans, once again, set foot on the moon in the next few years. I will not live to see a base on the Moon. I will not live to see a manned trip to Mars. That's ok. Knowing that my species is capable and WILLING to step "beyond" and continue the journey for the journeys sake...that's enough.
You bring some sadness to me with this comment, that though you are about 14 years younger than me you only have a chance to maybe see humans return to the Moon. I pray that you make it that long and maybe longer.
I was 7 when they selected the first U.S. Astronauts and was enthused from then on. I had an insatiable for Sci-Fi since that time and have seen some of it become reality. My health is not bad and I hope to see the first humans on Mars. Colonies may not happen though.
Thank you, Bill. I'm good with whatever amount of time I get. I've already survived far longer than I ever thought I would. Everything else is gravy. Knowing that there are folks like those at SpaceX and others, who are willing to do the difficult things BECAUSE THEY CAN and not just because of the myriad squabblings and scratchings that we humans have carried on about for millennia ...that's enough. Whether or not I, or any of us, get to witness it is not important. As long as there are those who continue to pick up and carry the torch a little further.
Thank you CW for posting this. I don't have much patience for videos or podcasts (gimmee a freakin' transcript), but this one? I watched all 25 minutes. The best part is getting the scale of that monster up close.
When I was 3 years old, I sat on the floor in front of my grandparents television and watched Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin set foot on the moon.
ReplyDeleteI remember this.
I have been fascinated by every mission since.
Each time, whether an Apollo mission, a Space Shuttle, or one of the many probe launches, I have been initially apprehensive and then I have wept.
I weep because we have once again broken the bonds of this small rock we live on!
I weep because I am overwhelmed by the shear complexity of it and the monumental effort of my fellow human beings to do something beyond mere existence!
In the last 30 years, I have also wept because we, as a species, appeared to have lost the will and drive to venture beyond our limited horizon.
When spouse, siblings, or children have asked why I am crying...I cannot fully convey the emotions to them. They do not understand.
When SpaceX came on the scene, I was hopeful.
The latest NASA Orion mission, circling the moon and returning the Astronauts safely home? I wept and I cheered!
We humans have NOT forgotten what we are capable of!
We will not die out on this dust mote we call home, having never ventured out into the greater universe!
I am now 60 and in failing health.
With luck, I may live to see humans, once again, set foot on the moon in the next few years.
I will not live to see a base on the Moon.
I will not live to see a manned trip to Mars.
That's ok.
Knowing that my species is capable and WILLING to step "beyond" and continue the journey for the journeys sake...that's enough.
Amen.
DeleteWell said.
You bring some sadness to me with this comment, that though you are about 14 years younger than me you only have a chance to maybe see humans return to the Moon. I pray that you make it that long and maybe longer.
DeleteI was 7 when they selected the first U.S. Astronauts and was enthused from then on. I had an insatiable for Sci-Fi since that time and have seen some of it become reality. My health is not bad and I hope to see the first humans on Mars. Colonies may not happen though.
Thank you, Bill.
DeleteI'm good with whatever amount of time I get. I've already survived far longer than I ever thought I would. Everything else is gravy.
Knowing that there are folks like those at SpaceX and others, who are willing to do the difficult things BECAUSE THEY CAN and not just because of the myriad squabblings and scratchings that we humans have carried on about for millennia ...that's enough.
Whether or not I, or any of us, get to witness it is not important.
As long as there are those who continue to pick up and carry the torch a little further.
Thank you CW for posting this. I don't have much patience for videos or podcasts (gimmee a freakin' transcript), but this one? I watched all 25 minutes. The best part is getting the scale of that monster up close.
ReplyDelete