Today [February 4, 2003] was the televised memorial service for the seven astronauts who didn't return home from their Columbia space mission. In the audience was Neil Armstrong, the Apollo astronaut known for saying "one small step for man; one giant step for mankind" when supposedly stepping on the moon's surface in 1969.*

I wonder if, as he listened to Bush the Younger's Memorial Address, he was thankful that such a speech had never been read for him. I wonder also if he knows about Nixon's Contingency Speech? Apparently it was written to describe the scenario whereby he and Aldrin were left on the moon to die due to technical difficulties. A television news anchor read it today as the camera focused on Armstrong's face in the Space Shuttle crowd of mourners. Here it is: ~ Jackie Jura

The Speech Nixon Never Read
by Kevin Newman, Global TV News, Feb 4, 2003
www.canada.com

"Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace.

"These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.

"These two men are laying down their lives in mankind's most noble goal: the search for truth and understanding.

"They will be mourned by their families and friends; they will be mourned by their nation; they will be mourned by the people of the world; they will be mourned by a Mother Earth that dared send two of her sons into the unknown.

"In their exploration, they stirred the people of the world to feel as one; in their sacrifice, they bind more tightly the brotherhood of man.

"In ancient days, men looked at stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood.

"Others will follow, and surely find their way home. Man's search will not be denied. But these men were the first, and they will remain the foremost in our hearts.

"For every human being who looks up at the moon in the nights to come will know that there is some corner of another world that is forever mankind."

Moon anniversary celebrated
MSNBC, Jul 20, 1999
APOLLO 11 commander Neil Armstrong, lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin and command module pilot Michael Collins made the rounds in Washington 30 years to the day after Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the lunar surface, leaving Collins to circle the moon alone...Collins and the others said they weren’t surprised to hear that a speech was prepared for President Richard Nixon to read in case Apollo 11 ended in disaster — a revelation that came out just this month. But they all said they didn’t dwell on the potential for failure. [ http://www.msnbc.com/news/290671.asp?0bl=-0&cp1=1 ]

MORE MOON MOCKDOC TALK

MOON MOCKUMENTARY ANALYSIS

Apollo Anniversary July 20, 1969: Moon Landing "Inspired World" (the Party line status quo). National Geographic, Jul 20, 2004

DARK SIDE MOON MOCK-UMENTARY

*DARK SIDE OF MOON HOAX (nothing is as it seems). Vancouver Sun, Nov 15, 2003

HOOK'S MOON HOAX SONG

Speech at the Memorial Service for the Shuttle Columbia Astronauts, delivered by President George W. Bush
Feb 4, 2003, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
Their mission was almost complete, and we lost them so close to home. The men and women of the Columbia had journeyed more than 6 million miles and were minutes away from arrival and reunion. The loss was sudden and terrible, and for their families, the grief is heavy. Our nation shares in your sorrow and in your pride. And today we remember not only one moment of tragedy, but seven lives of great purpose and achievement. To leave behind Earth and air and gravity is an ancient dream of humanity. For these seven, it was a dream fulfilled. Each of these astronauts had the daring and discipline required of their calling. Each of them knew that great endeavors are inseparable from great risks. And each of them accepted those risks willingly, even joyfully, in the cause of discovery....