“We Choose The Moon”

“President Kennedy understood the need to restore America’s confidence and had the vision of not only matching the Soviets, but surpassing them. On May 21, 1961, he took a strong stand in support of space exploration. Standing before Congress to deliver a special message on “urgent national needs,” he asked for an additional $7 billion to $9 billion over the next five years for the space program, proclaiming that video “this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before the decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.” President Kennedy settled upon this dramatic goal as a means of focusing and mobilizing our lagging space efforts. He did not justify the needed expenditure on the basis of science and exploration, but placed the program clearly in the camp of the competing ideologies of democracy vs. communism.”

via Space Program – John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum.

“‘It was on the Fourth of July 99 years ago that Jack Johnson, the proud and gritty African-American boxing champion, outraged the world of bigotry by retaining his heavyweight crown against the “Great White Hope,’ Jim Jeffries. Riots ensued across the country as racists took to the streets, while black ghettos celebrated the triumph of their own flamboyant champion, the son of former slaves.

This landmark moment in the struggle up from slavery still has not been set right in history.”

[Link]

A Mayor’s Mayor weighs in:

KevinE: Dan Snyder recently won a lawsuit regarding the use of the name “Redskins,” from your youth and growing up, you played a part in the Civil Rights Movement and have had to deal with many race issues, what is your take on the “Redskins” mascot name and do you think it is offensive to Native Americans?

Marion Barry: I agree with the Native Americans. I think it’s degrading and disrespectful. This happened in a time when you didn’t have that kind of attitude going on…you know, an era that went on that should have been changed to another name. You know, it’s true, and there’s others, the [Cleveland] Indians and other places. That’s that.

…but, like the natural politician—in all senses of the word—that he is, Barry switches gears on race and raises a populist, but far-fetched message of support to move the Skins back into the district, you know, for the sake of the people of Washington.

Marion Barry: I agree with the Native Americans. I think it’s degrading and disrespectful. This happened in a time when you didn’t have that kind of attitude going on…you know, an era that went on that should have been changed to another name. You know, it’s true, and there’s others, the [Cleveland] Indians and other places. That’s that. Now we have to figure out how we can get the Redskins back in the District of Columbia. I think it’s going to be very, very difficult.  For one, Snyder has a long term lease, he’s invested millions of dollars in his enterprise. He’s making money, and to come back to the district is my view wishful thinking, even though I’d like it to happen. It’s wishful thinking.

[link]

“All the f—— experts in America, everybody who thinks they know about soccer, they can all look at the score tonight and let’s see what they have to say now. Nobody has any respect for what we do, for what goes on on the inside, so let them all talk now.’” — Michael Bradley

“Each team’s patch has the trophy from their confederation’s continental championship…AFC, UEFA, and so on…Today we’ll see the CONEMBOL patch when we play Brazil.” [link]