What's tone-deaf about the Trump administration's Apollo 11 commemorations
is not only the subversive yet transparent motivations beneath their concerns and actions -- to undercut and diminish climate change study by NASA -- but the way they have attempted interject more nationalism into the events. Granted, the space program was a manifestation of the Cold War so it was inherently nationalistic. Even so, its effect on people around the globe and the astronauts themselves was to bridge divides and reveal the petty follies of our politics and bellicose natures.
The Apollo 11 crew took a silicon disc to the moon with them. Inscribed on it were messages of goodwill and unity from 73 leaders around the world.
“On behalf of the British people I salute the skill and courage which brought man to the moon. May this endeavor increase the knowledge and well being of mankind,” Queen Elizabeth II wrote.
“To the glory of the name of God who gives power to such men, we ardently pray for this humble beginning," Pope Paul VI wrote.
Former President Lyndon B. Johnson stated, “We are determined that space shall be an avenue towards peace and we both invite and welcome all men to join with us in this great opportunity."
“Today conquest of extra terrestrial space — with its attendant unknowns — recreates our perspectives and enhances our paradigms,” former President of Mexico Gustavo Díaz Ordaz wrote.
The plaque left on the lunar module stated, "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon, July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind."
The Apollo 11 crew noted that when they toured the world in the years afterward, there was a sense of common achievement among all humans. "Look what we did" was the sentiment.
So what do we get from Vice President Mike Pence at this morning's 50th anniversary events? A blatant interjection of nationalism, a jingoistic tone that only lacked the "USA! USA!" chants. That's not surprising considering how the administration further politicized NASA when they picked political toady with no science background and a history as a climate change denier to head the agency.
I'm so worn out by administration's tactics.
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