Tag Archives: politics

Wednesday’s Book Review: “The Culture of the Cold War”


The Culture of the Cold War.  By Stephen Whitfield. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991, second edition 1996. I was preconditioned to appreciate this book when I first picked it up for a reading. I have been devouring studies … Continue reading

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Redirect: Chicken Little Was Right


I published on March 4, 2013, a new commentary on the policy issues surrounding what to do about asteroid/meteor/comet impacts. Chicken Little Was Right  just appeared on the National Air and Space Museum’s blog. It notes that yes, indeed, the … Continue reading

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Wednesday’s Book Review: “US Presidents and the Militarization of Space, 1946—1967″


US Presidents and the Militarization of Space, 1946—1967. By Sean Kalic. College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2012. I was quite pleased when Sean Kalic’s book, US Presidents and the Militarization of Space, 1946—1967, appeared in the Centennial of Flight … Continue reading

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Wednesday’s Book Review: “Twilight of the Elites: America after Meritocracy”


Twilight of the Elites: America after Meritocracy. By Christopher Hayes. New York: Crown Books, 2012. Is the meritocracy that runs the United States both dysfunctional and corrupt? Is it one or the other? Is it neither? Those are questions that … Continue reading

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How Do Space Activities Contribute to Our Daily Lives?


I was recently asked this question, how do space activities contribute to our daily lives? I must confess that I have been asked it many times previously. Virtually every time this question is asked, however, it is because the person … Continue reading

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Reflections on the Loss of STS-107: Ten Years Ago (Redirect)


I posted on the National Air and Space Museum website this morning a reflection of the tenth anniversary of Columbia, STS-107, on February 1, 2003. For those who would like to read this blog post, it is available here.

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Wednesday’s Book Review: “From Columbus to Castro: The History of the Caribbean, 1492-1969″


From Columbus to Castro: The History of the Caribbean, 1492-1969. By Eric Williams. New York: Vintage Books, 1970. I visited the Caribbean for the first time in the fall of 2011, and this sparked me to want to learn more … Continue reading

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What is the Space Shuttle’s Place in Modern American History?


It began with the desire to ensure a continuous human presence in Earth orbit during the post-Moon landing era. The result of this effort has required a continued access to orbit with the Space Shuttle, giving humans the experience of … Continue reading

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Considering Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the 13th Amendment


The recent Lincoln biopic by Steven Spielberg, with its masterful performance by Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role, has raised to a new level interest in the process whereby slaves achieved freedom during the Civil War. The film focuses on … Continue reading

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A Chronology of Space Anniversaries for 2013


Many people have asked what anniversaries are upcoming in 2013 in space history. Here is a quick list. Are there items that I should add to this accounting? 1923—90 years ago December: Die Rakete zu den Planetenräumen (The Rocket into … Continue reading

Posted in Apollo, Cold War Competition, History, International Space Station, Lunar Exploration, Personal, Politics, Science, Space, Space Shuttle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments