Remembering Apollo 11

Posted Thursday, July 16, 2009, at 5:08 PM

I was a young teenager when Apollo 11 blasted off on a historic mission to land on the Moon.

Like many families in America, our family had watched the Space Program blossom right before our eyes. I can remember the tears in my moms eyes the morning John Glen was shot into space and orbited the Earth.

The morning Apollo 11 took off, I remember I was excited that we were actually going to do it, go land on the Moon. Previous missions had come close, by now we were actually going to do it.

As Apollo 11 got closer to the Moon, my dad was overcome by the sheer gravity of the moment. Mankind, through thousands of years of wonder and mystery, had wanted to go to the Moon, and now, in just a few short hours, men would walk on the Moon, and history would be made.

We watched and heard the words, "The Eagle has landed," and our family, like many others, cheered, and cried, and hugged, and prayed.

There was something else about this trip, about men landing on the Moon that I remember. Folks were proud that an American spacecraft would be the first to land on the Moon.

Yes friends, it was indeed call the "Space Race."

JFK challenged the country to greatness, and the country responded. It was a triumph of the American Free Enterprise system that won the Space Race.

President Obama may want to look at a true Democratic President, JFK, and his method of inspiring a country to do great things.

There were over three hundred thousand scientists and engineers that worked on the Apollo program, very few of these folks worked for the government. It was not government that got Americans to the Moon, it was the American way of life, the American dream, and the American free enterprise system.

What an incredible moment that was for America and for the world.

Listen up Hopey Change!

And, as Americans, we went out of our way to share our triumph with the world, and left a plaque on the Moon declaring that we went to the Moon on behalf of world peace.

The left today, with its warped view of an evil America, is looking to kill the very foundations that make America great.

This country has done and can do great things, however Freedom is required, self determination is required, and a Government that respects and honors the Constitution is required.

This current administration is showing no quarter in seeking to destroy all of things things. Therefore, expect America to accomplish nothing except misery.

Comments
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Wow what a shocker you take a moment in history that was great to America and instead of fully remembering you take the moment to take a cheap shot at the president. You are one sad individual, Mr. Eldridge.

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Thu, Jul 16, 2009, at 5:35 PM

Yes, JFK inspired a nation. BHO so has done nothing inspirational. Nobody is saying "I am going to work harder than ever before for the betterment of our nation". From what I am seeing, they are asking themselves "how am I going to provide for my family while paying all these new taxes".

For an explanation, see my post on Sam's "control freaks".

-- Posted by Chunky Peanut Butter on Thu, Jul 16, 2009, at 7:26 PM

Dang Sam,

Socialism has failed again.

Three major banks announced serious multi-billion dollar profits today -- First full reporting period after the final bailout.

Chrysler and GM have cleared bankruptcy and are rebuilding under new, lean management teams.

While you have been ranting, you just sort of ignored the FACT that at no time did the federal bailout and stimulous affect more than 2% of the Gross National Product.

We're not out of the woods yet, but banks and auto makers which otherwise would have gone belly up are viable again and the U.S. economy is starting to rebuild.

Where did Obama go wrong.

Of course, you did not notice that several moderate Republican Senators have already announced they will vote for Justice Sotomayor.

Yet, with his keynot speech at the NAACP convention this week -- President Obama took on BLACK PARENTS/BLACK FATHERS to be responsible, live to their responsibilities, direct their children into achievement and get them off the street corners.

No other U.S. president has been able to make that case with as much power and effectiveness.

I can remember the 1930s when FDR's catch phrase, "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself," was repeated constantly.

I remember JFK's eloquence with his "Ask Not" inaugural and his declaration at the Berlin Wall.

We have a different time, different challenges and a different president leading the nation out of a total disaster.

And we have the same brand of uber conservatives attacking a Democratic President, as declared FDR was destroying America, JFK was destroying America, LBJ was destroying America, Jimmy Carter was destroying America and we all know, William Jefferson Clinton absolutely destroyed America.

There was nothing left for DUBYAH AND THE DRAFT DODGERS TO DO but try to DESTROY THE WORLD.

Today, this week, President Obama's leadership has very clearly prevented DubYah's successful destruction of capitalist society.

-- Posted by HerndonHank on Fri, Jul 17, 2009, at 3:18 PM

"auto makers which otherwise would have gone belly up are viable again and the U.S. economy is starting to rebuild."

The problem is that Chrysler and GM who we were warned "couldn't go into bankruptcy" and just had to be bailed out by the government... went into bankruptcy anyway. So what did tens of billions of dollars by them? A few months before they went into bankruptcy anyway.

The unions certainly came out ahead but I can't say I'm surprised since they have a lot of campaign money invested in Obama. It's funny how a politician can't take a lot of money from a company and pass legislation without being hammered for being bought out but when it's a union doing the buying it's suddenly ok.

FDR: We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

Obama: If we don't pass the stimulus it the economy will be a catastrophe.

JFK: Ask not what you're country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country

Obama: I think it's good when you redistribute the wealth.

Comparing Obama to FDR or JFK is an insult to their accomplishments. Well at least FDR anyway, JFK didn't get a whole lot done to warrant exceptional consideration. He had the Cuban Missile Crisis and supported some things people agreed with but his likeability was a bigger factor in his legacy and how he's remembered than his accomplishments.

-- Posted by McCook1 on Fri, Jul 17, 2009, at 4:46 PM

GI,

Just exactly what was the finished product of WW2 spending? What will the finished product of stimulus 2009 be?

-- Posted by Chunky Peanut Butter on Fri, Jul 17, 2009, at 6:19 PM

E-gad, there is enough hostility here, to reach the moon, no charge. Glad I'm earth-bound.

In Messiah. Arley

-- Posted by Navyblue on Fri, Jul 17, 2009, at 9:13 PM

GI,

You are correct, it's a very good start. We, the USA, built the greatest military machine the world has ever seen. We built the best aircraft's for the Air Force, and trained the best pilots to fly them. We built the best artillery pieces and trained the best soldiers to shoot them. We built the best naval ships and trained the best sailors to sail them. When assembled, our Armed Forces took on what was then a far superior enemy and killed them. We won. The world was grateful.

The G. I. Bill sent millions of veteran soldiers to college, there they studied and learned how build the best education system, to become the pioneers in science, medicine and technology. They went out and DID. They did not wait for government grants or politics to dictate where the country was going. The WW2 generation created prosperity that more than repaid the spending debt of WW2.

I seriously doubt we will see this with stimulus package 2009. The current recipients are still standing around with the hands out begging for more.

There won't be a windfall of revenues when fmr President Bush's tax cuts expire, because in some parts of the nation they will be hit with a 57% tax rate. Combine that with all the bureaucratic regulations, there just won't be as many wealthy Americans around to pay for BHO's expansive ideas. Cap and trade will cost more than it will bring in. Social security is dead anyway, why debate it? And why should small business have to provide health care.

-- Posted by Chunky Peanut Butter on Sat, Jul 18, 2009, at 10:53 PM

GI,

Obviously you have no concept of business and commerce works. Those wealthiest, let's say 10%, hire small business people like me to install/repairs their plumbing, install/repair their HVAC systems, make improvements on their homes, install/repair their swimming pools. We sell/service their cars, yachts, airplanes.

We, the small business people in turn have to buy the supplies and tools to provide our services. If the wealthy slow down or even stop demanding our services, we lose money. In order to maintain our businesses we have to look for smaller clients, which requires less labor. This leads to layoffs. We buy less supplies, so distributors begin laying people off. It goes down the line to the manufacturer's.

With less money to operate and make a living, how are we supposed to provide health care.

-- Posted by Chunky Peanut Butter on Sun, Jul 19, 2009, at 1:20 PM

GI,

In the real world, supply-side economics is a reality.

It appears the focal point of your life is jealousy.

-- Posted by Chunky Peanut Butter on Sun, Jul 19, 2009, at 3:20 PM

GI,

Only Jesus knows.

-- Posted by Chunky Peanut Butter on Sun, Jul 19, 2009, at 6:11 PM

I explained how the world works, and you choose to childishly reject it. What more needs to be said?

-- Posted by Chunky Peanut Butter on Sun, Jul 19, 2009, at 7:40 PM

Sam,

You were correct to use the triumph of the moon landing to show just how ridiculous and sad Mr. Obama and his voters are. It is equally sad that youngin's like Mr. Hendricks and Mr. Inglaterra, have not have a chance to see what the TRUE America can do - because during most of their lives, liberalism has hog-tied the true American spirit. They have only witnessed the fruits of liberalism, and they think that is America.

To Mr. Inglaterra and Mr. Hendricks, you will never see America do anything great as long as Mr. Obama, and libs like you, are in power. Sam is right, and it makes you mad, liberals produce nothing except misery.

Mr. HerndonHank, who must have smoked way too much wacky tobaccy in Korea, I say this. Socialism did compete directly with Capitalism during the Space Race Sam talked about. Didn't anyone ever tell you, we won the Space Race! How much more proof do you need?

Steffanie - I like you! We need lots more gals like you.

-- Posted by RMontana on Mon, Jul 20, 2009, at 11:40 AM

Sorry it took me so long to get back GI, I usually go to bed quite early on Sunday nights. I get up early on the mornings to do business stuff, like make payroll, cover fixed costs and variable cost. But you wouldn't know anything about that.

I did a little research on your "3%" solution. A Yahoo story featured on The Drudge Report, reports that the present 35% tax rate for those earning over $250,000, will go to 39.6% in 2011. I don't think math has changed this much over the years, but that's an increase of 4.6%, not 3%. GI, you may just be ignorant, or you are a liar, I'll let you choose. Moreover, in 2013, those earning over $315,000 will see a tax increase of another 2%, to 41.6%. That's a 6.6% increase for some. Also those earning over $1,000,000, starting 2015, they'll see another 2% hike, that takes us to 43.6%, we're talking 8.8% increase. Tack on the millionaire surcharge of 5.4%, 49% of their income goes to the feds. Add state, local, and sales, and your well over 50%.

Go ahead, do the research, I know you have more time than people who actually work for a living.

I ask the readers, ignorance, or liar.

-- Posted by Chunky Peanut Butter on Mon, Jul 20, 2009, at 7:16 PM

Steffanie is just hot! Keep it up!

-- Posted by Chunky Peanut Butter on Mon, Jul 20, 2009, at 9:27 PM

Very funny posts, Guille and Steffanie. I'll see both films.

-- Posted by Resilient Justice on Tue, Jul 21, 2009, at 7:27 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090719/ap_o...

-- Posted by Chunky Peanut Butter on Tue, Jul 21, 2009, at 8:05 PM

Just checked out GI's(Iggy) reference site, and it proves me right too. 4.6%

-- Posted by Chunky Peanut Butter on Thu, Jul 23, 2009, at 9:18 PM