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07/20/2002 Archived Entry: "Celebrating Apollo 11"

Thirty three years ago there were human beings on the moon. In honor of that, a guest entry from my fiance Jack William Bell:

Today, July 20, is the 33rd anniversary of the daya human being first walked on the moon. Personally I think the best way to commemorate this day is with a moment of silence for a dream that has nearly died out. You see, once anything seemed possible. Once I truly believed that I would be able to purchase a ticket to the moon myself, to take the tourist bus out and see those historic footsteps. Now I am not so sure if our future holds a chance for more than a tiny orbital outpost, no more than 800 miles from the motherworld. Now I wonder what vistas our children can aspire to which compare to the unlimited sky I once believed would be mine...

Certainly there are those who feel our money is better spent here on earth, but let me ask you this: Since the late 1970s we have drastically cut back our space budget. Have we used the money we saved to improve people's lives in any measurable way? I can certainly point out all the ways that space (and the associated research) has already changed our lives for the better. That list is long and starts with the computer you are using to read this!

Yes, July 20 should be a big event on the calendar. Just as that 'First step for a man...' should have been but the first step of a stampede. July 20 should be a national day of celebration. A day to mark our progress and to look ahead to more. Instead this day will be largely ignored, with maybe a 10 second mention on the cable news channels. Carried over a satellite and decoded with integrated circuits. Hmmpph!

But don't mind me. People often get grumpy around holidays.

Jack William Bell

Posted by Jacob Metcalf @ 07/22/2002 12:15 PM PST