On this date, 42 years ago . . .

I give you this:

"Here men from the planet Earth set foot upon the moon, July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind."

-- Plaque left behind by the crew of Apollo 11 at the Sea of Tranquility landing site, 1969.07.20

In many ways I am saddened more and more each year as this date passes. America used to do great things.

Now all we do is argue endlessly about why we cannot.

Leslie Fish captured the moment perfectly in the song in this video. Yes, we won the "race to the moon" . . . then rested upon our laurels. Americans used to gaze at the horizon and dream and hope. Now we turn and glare at one another in fear and loathing.

Has this country really become such a small, mean place in the span of just two generations?

I will not go into how this happened. There is plenty of blame to go around . . . but blame never really ever fixes anything.

If you really want to start somewhere, countrymen, start with a mirror and a pair of open eyes..