This month marks two remarkable anniversaries in American history, although remarkable for quite different reasons.
The first (or second chronologically, but first in our hearts and minds) is the anniversary of the moon landing. On July 20, 1969, Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins were the first of the most elite group of humans: those who have walked on the moon. It was a triumph of human innovation, drive, and courage. Moreover, it inspired one of my favorite ass kickings of all time and was instrumental in a favorite Doctor Who plotline. (No I won’t spoil it, but it’s season 6 of the reboot if you’re interested.)
The second anniversary is remarkable, but for quite a different reason. It is remarkable in that the idea of the rule of law and that all men are equal under the law was completely abandoned by both the government and the media, A.K.A. “the fourth estate”. (Or was it merely the pretense of the idea that we’re all equal under the law? Perhaps the mask merely slipped showing the hideous true face of our system.)
In order to protect a member of America’s so-called royal family, the murder — or at minimum manslaughter — of a young woman was completely ignored. Ted Kennedy, the so-called Lion of the Senate, drove off a bridge and left Mary Jo Kopechne to die, in fact, to suffocate over the course of several hours. If you’ve never familiarized yourself with the details of this heartless crime, you should read the account keeping in mind that Kennedy was a sitting U.S. Senator and served for another 40 years, even running for president.
45 years ago, two anniversaries that have marked and shaped our culture. But which has had the greater impact? An interesting question.
Happy anniversary.
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