The forecast is a little tricky for the weekend. We still have the upper low and attenuating weakness in the atmosphere migrating westward. Today we will have an isolated t’storm south and east but for the most part it will be dry. Still have scattered stuff for Wed and Thu. After that, stay tuned because its a bit unsettled.
On This Date In History: President Kennedy had pledged to put a man on the moon and return him safely to earth by the end of the decade of the 1960′s. We tend to think that the pledge was fulfilled on July 20, 1969 when Neil Armstrong took one small step for man and on giant leap for man kind. But it was really fulfilled on July 24, 1969 when the Apollo 11 astronauts splashed down in the Pacific Ocean safely. Remember, this had never been done before and no one knew if there were any alien microbes on the moon that could wipe out all of life on the planet. So, the astronauts wore special suits and had gas masks when they got off the helicopter on the deck of the USS Hornet. They then went directly to a trailer on the hanger deck of the carrier where they were quarantined for several days. No word on whether or not it was a FEMA trailer. The picture above shows President Nixon speaking to the astronauts from their home. Can’t have the Commander In Chief being exposed to green cheese bacteria.
July 24, 1959 was the day of the big “Kitchen Debate” between Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and Vice President Richard Nixon. The pair were at a US Trade and Cultural Fair in Moscow and unexpectedly ran into one another at the kitchen exhibit. They then began a debate about the merits of US technology vs. Soviet technology. At the time,the Soviets were ahead on missile technology and that’s about it. You may have called it the guns vs. butter debate.
The Fallen Star: I have to admit, the only reason I recognize the name Lindsay Lohan is from all of the brushes with the law. On this date in 2007, Lohan was released on bond for charges of DUI and cocaine possession. She just finished her second stint of alcohol rehab. She just starred in a movie with Jane Fonda where Jane apparently gave her a talking to about cleaning up her act. They say that stars are held up as role models for young Americans and some people say that should not be the case as exemplified by this case. But, perhaps this is a good example for young people on the potential destructive nature of “recreational” activities. Much of what we think is “fun” in our youth turns out to be regrettably devastating later on. Fortunately, in this case, no harm was done to others but sadly, we see in the news all the time that poor decision making by one individual can lead to disaster for others and shatter entire families who otherwise would not have been connected to the misbehaving individual. Let us hope Ms. Lohan gets help and wants help. If you find yourself in a situation that you know in your heart could lead to disaster for you or others, don’t be afraid to stand up, extend a hand and accept the help that others are willing to give, before its too late.
Here are the details from wlky.com
I guess being two days older than dirt does have SOME advantages, Bob. I remember watching all of the events you spoke of here as they happened. Not sure if you or any of your news crew were on the scene then (if you were, you were probably still wearing three-cornered britches). Sometimes I just sit and think about all the changes I have witnessed in the last 50 years in amazement.
One of the changes that I have seen that really bothers me is some of the “journalism” that has become so popular as of late. The “gossip rags” being the crux of this discontent.
It saddens me to see people seeking out the misfortunes of others and profiting from their suffering. Case in point, this most recent incident with Ms. Lohan.
I realize she has exposed herself to review by virtue of her notoriety but that being said, nothing is funny or entertaining about a fatal illness. And that is what she has. Public outcry would shatter glass if reporters stood outside of Brown Cancer Center humiliating patients as they came and went. To my way of thinking, there is not much difference betweem them and her. They are all in a life and death struggle. Nothing to be amused about there.
I, like you, hope she seeks out and finds the help she needs. What a pity it will be if she doesn’t. You take a young woman from Podunk, USA, throw her in with endless money and a batch of Hollyweird Wolves and is an all too common outcome. They have rode her for all she’s worth to them, now they will spit her out and get another just like her. One of the cold, hard facts of life I suppose. I have lost several friends over the years to drink and drugs, just by virtue of age I reckon and have seen many more destroyed by it. It is a terrible, miserable way to go and just as bad to watch for family and friends. I don’t recall any enjoyment in it from either side.
You mentioned the fact that at least no one else was injured in this event and yes, she is very lucky in that respect. This time.
I wrote a short story a while back and try to post it one of my sites or the other around major holidays, spring and summer school breaks or whenever I feel it may be of benefit. I hope that someone who reads it remembers just enough of it for it run through their mind at that crucial moment of their decision making. I will post it in a seperate comment and you can do what you will with it.
kyplowboy
Yup, I remember it all. Many of these historical items that I write about I know off the top of my head, but I always know reference sources. Primarily I find things that I find interesting and think others might find so as well. Secondarily, I find things I already know about and fill in tid bits from referenced material, but I always can produce references if necessary. In this case, when I was a kid I knew all about the space program. In my days of misspent youth, it once got me a round of drinks at a trivia contest in a bar. I also got to dance on stage with the girl who was the lead singer in the Radio Planets in Austin, Tx!! In my fraternithy, I won a $100 bet regarding the space program. See, useless information isn’t always so useless.
I read somewhere in here that you are from Houston, so it is no big surprise that you would know a lot about NASA and the space program.
We moved to Houston in 1970. I learned all about the space program in the 1960′s when we lived near Los Angeles. I had all of the astronaut’s pictures and could name all the parts of the Saturn V and all of the stages of the rocket and such. People don’t recall that if it weren’t for the expertise of Neil Armstrong, he might have died during the Gemimi program. Remember his spinning like a top? Funny thing is that when we moved to Houston, Walter Cunningham lived right down the street from us. He had a son that was a year older than me, Brian. I was in his house once or twice but never saw his dad. They moved when Cunningham left the space program. Seems to me that was about 1973.