Neil Armstrong never politicized his accomplishments. I wish we didn't feel like we need to either.

[cherokeeprogressive]

Is it necessary to take anything at all away from the man's accomplishments just to make the point that he didn't build Apollo 11 with his own slide rule, his own machine tools, and his own hands?

We fucking know all that stuff already. It's a given.

A man who risked his own life for the betterment of all humanity died unexpectedly. A man who is an honest to God hero. Not a national hero. A HUMAN hero. Not a bullshit hero like those we use the word on today such as politicians and athletes, but a real hero. Is "he didn't do it by himself, GOVERNMENT made it possible" the best DU can say about him? Fuck, I hope not. I wish the DU attitude toward his death didn't involve political statements at ALL.

He strapped the largest machine MAN had ever built onto his back, and drove it into the unknown. He earned the right, and HE took the risk. HE made split-second decisions (with input from Buzz Aldrin) on the descent to the lunar surface and made the adjustments necessary in order to keep Tranquility Base from being the first graveyard on the moon. Read about it.

Can't we as a group simply mourn the passing of one of the greatest Heroes mankind has ever known without trying to make a political point?

[TeamPooka]

1. I met Neil a 7 years ago at a test pilot convention....

Neil was the keynote speaker at the luncheon.
The room was filled with private and military test pilots eager to see Armstrong.
experienced Colonels and Majors were like excited schoolboys.
The huge ballroom was packed with all these guys made of "The Right Stuff" and the standing ovation when Neil was introduced went on for 10 minutes.
Neil had earned their love and respect the hard way.

[RagAss]

2. He was a true hero and a man who respected the courage it took.....

to do the things he was asked to do. I will never forget he and Aldrin leaving a small bag of medals on the moon that commemorated the Cosmonauts Vladimir Komarov and Yuri Gagarin - imagine doing that in the middle of the cold war when most of the assholes on earth were flexing their muscles over who was the baddest empire around ! He was above and beyond the petty bullshit of the little men.

Rest in Peace, Neil Armstrong !

[cherokeeprogressive]

3. The commemorative medals were a testament to his humility and sense of comraderie.

Gegarin broke the barrier. He was the first to strap a rocket on. Komarov lost his life because someone was asleep at the quality control switch when his capsule was built.

They were both pilots, and both spacemen, just like Armstrong and Aldrin.

[RandySF]

4. Well....

I made a glowing statement about Armstrong and the need to refocus on science, technology and exploration and ONLY my Democratic friends expressed any support. Just my little anecdote.