Moonday, Moonday
A thoughtful reader writes:
It always strikes me as odd that July 20th isn't a holiday or at least noted more. It was 41 years ago today, when Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon.I Googled news for moon landing and saw practically no mention of the event. It makes me wonder why we celebrate Columbus Day.
| Posted at 10:44 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (10)
I think we all agree with the current head of NASA that Muslim outreach is the foremost misson today. Consequently, harping on old missions is really rather a dead-ender ambition.
Posted by larry | July 20, 2010 12:30 PM
I believe we celebrate Columbus day (incorrectly in fact) is the founding of exploration of North America (where we live incidentally). Since stepping on the moon, nothing of consequence has ocurred there...
Posted by Dean | July 20, 2010 12:37 PM
A rat done bit my sister Nell.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Her face and arms began to swell.
(and Whitey's on the moon)
I can't pay no doctor bill.
(but Whitey's on the moon)
Ten years from now I'll be payin' still.
(while Whitey's on the moon)
The man jus' upped my rent las' night.
('cause Whitey's on the moon)
No hot water, no toilets, no lights.
(but Whitey's on the moon)
I wonder why he's uppi' me?
('cause Whitey's on the moon?)
I wuz already payin' 'im fifty a week.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Taxes takin' my whole damn check,
Junkies makin' me a nervous wreck,
The price of food is goin' up,
An' as if all that shit wuzn't enough:
A rat done bit my sister Nell.
(with Whitey on the moon)
Her face an' arm began to swell.
(but Whitey's on the moon)
Was all that money I made las' year
(for Whitey on the moon?)
How come there ain't no money here?
(Hmm! Whitey's on the moon)
Y'know I jus' 'bout had my fill
(of Whitey on the moon)
I think I'll sen' these doctor bills,
Airmail special
(to Whitey on the moon)
~ Gil Scott-Heron
Posted by godfry | July 20, 2010 12:39 PM
This Friday, residents of Utah will celebrate "Pioneer Day" after the founders of the Mormon church.
California and other states celebrate Cesar Chavez Day.
I propose that Oregon celebrates John McLoughlin Day each October 19th, as a state recognized legal holiday.
Posted by Erik H. | July 20, 2010 12:48 PM
an' we are still in Afghanistan,
(and Whitey on the moon!)
Posted by portland native | July 20, 2010 3:07 PM
http://www.theonion.com/articles/conspiracy-theorist-convinces-neil-armstrong-moon,2796/
Posted by dman | July 20, 2010 7:07 PM
I love the Onion but this one left me a little turned off.
I imagine a parody a few centuries ago saying conspiracy nuts had convinced Galileo and Copernicus that the earth was flat after all and their studies were a hoax.
I'm not saying the moon landings were faked but NASA has not been forthcoming with all it knows either - so a few conspiracy nuts in the mix is a good thing.
The bigger problem is government secrecy.
I think Neil Armstrong is a man of integrity who'd rather stay out of the limelight than lie about what the astronauts really know.
Posted by Bill McDonald | July 20, 2010 7:50 PM
You're right Bill, definitely more to this story.
Posted by dean | July 20, 2010 9:46 PM
"NASA has not been forthcoming with all it knows either - so a few conspiracy nuts in the mix is a good thing."
About what? What are you talking about?
Posted by George Anonymuncule Seldes | July 20, 2010 10:44 PM
I'd start with the 6th man on the moon: Astronaut Edgar Mitchell who went on Apollo 14.
He drops intriguing little quotes like this: "I happen to have been privileged enough to be in on the fact that we've been visited on this planet and the UFO phenomena is real."
It's tough to get your head around. I'm still working on it but it's taken decades. Oh well, I bet it was unsettling and shocking when we found out the earth was round too. It helped when I saw some UFOs.
Posted by Bill McDonald | July 20, 2010 11:12 PM