This is so bittersweet. I was 8 in 1969. I KNEW I’d live and work on the Moon someday.
Then in 1973 they gave up the Moon Flights, and something in me died.
Someday, a million years from now, Aliens will find our footprints in the Lunar dust, and look up at the lifeless ball above them, and wonder what it was that failed, our courage, or our common sense.
Old Euclid drew a circleOn a sand-beach long ago.He bounded and enclosed itWith angles thus and so.His set of solemn greybeardsNodded and argued muchOf arc and of circumferenceDiameter and such.A silent child stood by themFrom morning until noonBecause they drew such charmingRound pictures of the moon.
Not to be disagreeable, but don’t write that epitaph on our tombstone just yet. We’ve had some lapses, yes, but our story is going to continue! The universe is waiting for us!
The universe can afford to wait. I can’t, it’s been over 40 years since the moon landings and every year since we do less and less. Exploration and discovering new worlds was and is the key to economic expansion. It worked for Queen Isabella, and it worked for the US in the 60’s and then we gave it up.
KM: The last trip to the moon with the only scientist ever to go there. The whole thing had been exposed as a showpiece for military test pilots with negligible science involved. The Soviets got as much scientific data without the human risk.
A beautiful strip. I hope that we do return with a permanent outpost on the moon before resources become so scarce here on Earth. If we wait too long we might not be able to free up enough resources to return.
comicgos over 11 years ago
Catfeet Premium Member over 11 years ago
The New Frontier…so near, yet so far.
LeoAutodidact over 11 years ago
This is so bittersweet. I was 8 in 1969. I KNEW I’d live and work on the Moon someday.
Then in 1973 they gave up the Moon Flights, and something in me died.
Someday, a million years from now, Aliens will find our footprints in the Lunar dust, and look up at the lifeless ball above them, and wonder what it was that failed, our courage, or our common sense.
Gator007 over 11 years ago
I was like that in the sixtys.
T_Lexi over 11 years ago
And Red’s got Pluto hanging from his solar system. What a shock when they demoted Pluto…
brick10 over 11 years ago
Euclid by Vachel Lindsay
Old Euclid drew a circleOn a sand-beach long ago.He bounded and enclosed itWith angles thus and so.His set of solemn greybeardsNodded and argued muchOf arc and of circumferenceDiameter and such.A silent child stood by themFrom morning until noonBecause they drew such charmingRound pictures of the moon.
qwiksdraw over 11 years ago
and to boldly go where no boy and dog have gone before!
GROG Premium Member over 11 years ago
I wonder if they will meet any aliens along the way. Calvin did today.
mtn2sea over 11 years ago
The cardboard box. Best toy ever!
The Life I Draw Upon over 11 years ago
“Americans do this that and the other thing, not because it is easy, but because it is hard.”
I was a kid then, and it has never left me. Indeed, it means more.
rocketscientist over 11 years ago
Not to be disagreeable, but don’t write that epitaph on our tombstone just yet. We’ve had some lapses, yes, but our story is going to continue! The universe is waiting for us!
phaze58 over 11 years ago
Poignant as Sir Patrick Moore has passed away., and he helped NASA map the Moon .
CHAZ.SHIELDS over 11 years ago
The universe can afford to wait. I can’t, it’s been over 40 years since the moon landings and every year since we do less and less. Exploration and discovering new worlds was and is the key to economic expansion. It worked for Queen Isabella, and it worked for the US in the 60’s and then we gave it up.
rpmurray over 11 years ago
This was in the days before the Democrats started raiding NASA’s budget to pay for their failed social programs.
Stephen Gilberg over 11 years ago
If the moon looked that big from my window, I’d be scared.
ARF2 over 11 years ago
A funny thing happened on our way to the stars. I think it was called Viet Nam.
ARF2 over 11 years ago
D. D. Hariman, where are you now that we need you?
Burnside217 over 11 years ago
Anticipation! I remember those days!
Ratbrat over 11 years ago
The fat lady has not yet sung!
Rickapolis over 11 years ago
Never let go of your dreams, Red.
whenlifewassimpler over 11 years ago
Such a shame kids today don’t have this kind of imagination any longer!
cheetahqueen over 11 years ago
WOW! Brian, just…WOW!
Happy, happy, happy!!! Premium Member over 11 years ago
we have lost our sence of wonder.
ronpolimeni over 11 years ago
You’re right Jo Clear, that is indeed great art work today.
lin4869 over 11 years ago
I agree. Space junk also comes to mind…
lin4869 over 11 years ago
Brian, you outdid yourself on this one—beautiful color, light and shadows. Feels as though I’m there!
The Life I Draw Upon over 11 years ago
To Dream the impossible dream..
hippogriff over 11 years ago
KM: The last trip to the moon with the only scientist ever to go there. The whole thing had been exposed as a showpiece for military test pilots with negligible science involved. The Soviets got as much scientific data without the human risk.
redandrover Premium Member over 11 years ago
Thanks everyone for the nice comments and impassioned observations and opinions. We shall return!-Brian
Kendor over 11 years ago
A beautiful strip. I hope that we do return with a permanent outpost on the moon before resources become so scarce here on Earth. If we wait too long we might not be able to free up enough resources to return.
Lynda Dahl Premium Member over 11 years ago
So pretty!