California Directory
- Thread starter CaliforniaGent
- Start date
Lance Hardrock
Your Cunning Linguist
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2001
- Posts
- 16,502
Lance is saying hi
I'm on for a few minutes this morning. Just couldn't stay away especially after such a tragedy yesterday. I need my lit fix for sure.
so Happy Groundhog Day to one and all.
I'm on for a few minutes this morning. Just couldn't stay away especially after such a tragedy yesterday. I need my lit fix for sure.
so Happy Groundhog Day to one and all.
rumncokeguy
Really Experienced
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2003
- Posts
- 222
Morning all : ::grabbig my second cup of black go go juice::
came in here to get away from from the shuttle tradgey news... It is heart renching and My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families. They are heros in every sense of the word.
But now the media circus is on and I for one would wish they stay out of it and let NASA and the governing bodies do what they have to do to right the ship (pun intended)
and get our three astraunants back home from the space station.
Oh by the smile all it's sunday
came in here to get away from from the shuttle tradgey news... It is heart renching and My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families. They are heros in every sense of the word.
But now the media circus is on and I for one would wish they stay out of it and let NASA and the governing bodies do what they have to do to right the ship (pun intended)
and get our three astraunants back home from the space station. Oh by the smile all it's sunday
Lance Hardrock
Your Cunning Linguist
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2001
- Posts
- 16,502
A plea
Shortly after the Challenger explosion, there was huge upsurge in anti-space rhetoric. I wrote the following essay and mailed it President Reagan (amont many others). I doubt if it had much impact, but at least I felt as if I was trying to do something for the advancement of the human race.
Since I consider the Cali thread my home online, I'd like to post that essay here (with a slight editing change).
I'll be mailing it off to our current white house inhabitant as well.
Thanks for letting me post this minor memorial.
A Plea for the Continued Human Exploration of Space
In the early days of human existence, people huddled around their campfires and feared the dark. They never strayed far into the deep forests. Our history bulges with legends and stories concerning the forbidding and foreboding realm of “out THERE.” Ignorance and fear provided countless tales of dangers waiting in unknown lands.
Brave people have pushed back the boundaries of darkness and lit pathways for others to follow. Light and sound fills our world with the activities of humankind. Cities, towns, and farms, connected by roads and rail, have opened up the once dreaded frontiers and tamed our world. No longer do we sit around our spluttering fires and whimper at the strange sounds coming from the dark woods.
Today an infinitely vast, forbidding and virtually unknown forest surrounds us. Space is our dark forest. Earth, itself, is our campfire, but we need to explore beyond its light.
The argument is often made that we should stop spending billions in space and use the money to remedy ills at home. In fact, not one penny has been spent in space. All the money has been spent on Earth creating jobs, funding research and spin-off technology which have all helped to solve Earthbound problems. Never has humankind solved all the problems of a particular time and place before permitting further exploration. Humanity’s problems can not be solved without exploration, insightful imagination and new strategies.
The argument that we should solve all the problems of Earth before going into space equals saying none of the voyages of previous centuries should have been undertaken until every problem of those eras had been solved. Humanity would still be living in caves if we followed that philosophy. It is inherent in our natures to explore and this urge is most beneficial since the fruits of exploration render the solutions to the problems facing us.
We must explore space in order to acquire knowledge and increase the chances of our species’ survival. Exploration fulfills our destiny, expresses the purpose of existence and manifests our very essence. The nature of being human is to first imagine what lies beyond the reach of our campfires. Then we build devices and methods to travel into the unknown forest. Finally, we illuminate the darkness with our presence and see whether what we have dreamed is truth or whether the reality fuels our dreams to even greater endeavors.
Always there is a risk; always the universe seems to demand payment in sacrifice for yielding its secrets. Columbia and its crew have made the supreme payment. Let us not allow that payment to be in vain. Let us grieve but then continue the journey into the darkness.
Konstantine Tsiolkovsky, the great Russian futurist, said it best: “Earth is the cradle of mankind, but one cannot live in the cradle forever.”
Shortly after the Challenger explosion, there was huge upsurge in anti-space rhetoric. I wrote the following essay and mailed it President Reagan (amont many others). I doubt if it had much impact, but at least I felt as if I was trying to do something for the advancement of the human race.
Since I consider the Cali thread my home online, I'd like to post that essay here (with a slight editing change).
I'll be mailing it off to our current white house inhabitant as well.
Thanks for letting me post this minor memorial.
A Plea for the Continued Human Exploration of Space
In the early days of human existence, people huddled around their campfires and feared the dark. They never strayed far into the deep forests. Our history bulges with legends and stories concerning the forbidding and foreboding realm of “out THERE.” Ignorance and fear provided countless tales of dangers waiting in unknown lands.
Brave people have pushed back the boundaries of darkness and lit pathways for others to follow. Light and sound fills our world with the activities of humankind. Cities, towns, and farms, connected by roads and rail, have opened up the once dreaded frontiers and tamed our world. No longer do we sit around our spluttering fires and whimper at the strange sounds coming from the dark woods.
Today an infinitely vast, forbidding and virtually unknown forest surrounds us. Space is our dark forest. Earth, itself, is our campfire, but we need to explore beyond its light.
The argument is often made that we should stop spending billions in space and use the money to remedy ills at home. In fact, not one penny has been spent in space. All the money has been spent on Earth creating jobs, funding research and spin-off technology which have all helped to solve Earthbound problems. Never has humankind solved all the problems of a particular time and place before permitting further exploration. Humanity’s problems can not be solved without exploration, insightful imagination and new strategies.
The argument that we should solve all the problems of Earth before going into space equals saying none of the voyages of previous centuries should have been undertaken until every problem of those eras had been solved. Humanity would still be living in caves if we followed that philosophy. It is inherent in our natures to explore and this urge is most beneficial since the fruits of exploration render the solutions to the problems facing us.
We must explore space in order to acquire knowledge and increase the chances of our species’ survival. Exploration fulfills our destiny, expresses the purpose of existence and manifests our very essence. The nature of being human is to first imagine what lies beyond the reach of our campfires. Then we build devices and methods to travel into the unknown forest. Finally, we illuminate the darkness with our presence and see whether what we have dreamed is truth or whether the reality fuels our dreams to even greater endeavors.
Always there is a risk; always the universe seems to demand payment in sacrifice for yielding its secrets. Columbia and its crew have made the supreme payment. Let us not allow that payment to be in vain. Let us grieve but then continue the journey into the darkness.
Konstantine Tsiolkovsky, the great Russian futurist, said it best: “Earth is the cradle of mankind, but one cannot live in the cradle forever.”
VERY well-written essay Lance, I must say...I tip my hat in respect to your command of the written word. I can't say my own personal opinions on the subject are in sympathy with yours, but I definently have much respect for such an eloquent piece, and the views presented therein.
rumncokeguy
Really Experienced
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2003
- Posts
- 222
Lance- great piece and well stated. If I may be sold bold as to quote you
Quote -
"Always there is a risk; always the universe seems to demand payment in sacrifice for yielding its secrets. Columbia and its crew have made the supreme payment. Let us not allow that payment to be in vain. Let us grieve but then continue the journey into the darkness." -Quote
I have posted my feelings on another board but not half as eloquently as that I am just a plebian.
There is always a price to pay whether it be for freedom democracy or advancement for mankind. If there was no risk evolved the reward wouldn't taste as good.
These men and women brought not only a nation but a world together for one international goal to enhance our civilization.
Quote -
"Always there is a risk; always the universe seems to demand payment in sacrifice for yielding its secrets. Columbia and its crew have made the supreme payment. Let us not allow that payment to be in vain. Let us grieve but then continue the journey into the darkness." -Quote
I have posted my feelings on another board but not half as eloquently as that I am just a plebian.
There is always a price to pay whether it be for freedom democracy or advancement for mankind. If there was no risk evolved the reward wouldn't taste as good.
These men and women brought not only a nation but a world together for one international goal to enhance our civilization.
enjoyingitall said:Damn..... I didn't know I was that close to 5000..
LMAO.....I've had a lot to say in a little under a year, I guess.
hey sweetie...congrats on the 5000...you are a posting slut!!!
I suggest a 5000 AV..and I have one in mind **Chuckling** I must make it for you hahahaha.
rumncokeguy
Really Experienced
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2003
- Posts
- 222
Ukin- Hello, Morning, How ya doin.
Are you trying to stay ahead of EJ before giving up that great AV.
Are you trying to stay ahead of EJ before giving up that great AV.
rumncokeguy
Really Experienced
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2003
- Posts
- 222
Ukin- Hello, Morning, How ya doin.
Are you trying to stay ahead of EJ before giving up that great AV
Are you trying to stay ahead of EJ before giving up that great AV
Lance Hardrock
Your Cunning Linguist
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2001
- Posts
- 16,502
Thank you
I do try to write well, and occasionally succeed. Thank you all
I've seen so many of these tragedies in my long life. It never gets any easier to witness catastrophe, but push on we must. The reward is too great and the penalty for ignorance is extinction to put it bluntly.
Nevertheless, this is a playground, so let's all get naked and have some fun.
<-------------
I do try to write well, and occasionally succeed.
Thank you allI've seen so many of these tragedies in my long life. It never gets any easier to witness catastrophe, but push on we must. The reward is too great and the penalty for ignorance is extinction to put it bluntly.
Nevertheless, this is a playground, so let's all get naked and have some fun.
<-------------
rumncokeguy
Really Experienced
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2003
- Posts
- 222
oops did the same dumb thing myself .... Patience is a virtue
rumncokeguy said:
Hi Rum..I am fine me old mate.
One has to stay ahead of EJ....you will soon get to know that our Teacher likes staying ahead...or is that giving head?
She has, believe you me my friend...PLENTY of extra sexual, cock throbbing, ball aching AV's...
Lance Hardrock
Your Cunning Linguist
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2001
- Posts
- 16,502
An observation
It seems that lit has the stutters this morning. I have found that just hit the submit once and don't worry that nothing seems to happen. It does, just in slow motion. Go on to the next thread and in a couple minutes, you'll see that your reply did get posted.
At least that seems to work for me.
It seems that lit has the stutters this morning. I have found that just hit the submit once and don't worry that nothing seems to happen. It does, just in slow motion. Go on to the next thread and in a couple minutes, you'll see that your reply did get posted.
At least that seems to work for me.
