Happy Birthday NASA

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." Galileo Galilei

On July 29, 1958 President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act which created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Public Law 85-568

72 Stat. 426 (Jul. 29, 1958)

An Act

To provide for research into problems of flight within and outside the earth's atmosphere, and for other purposes.

Sec. 102. (a) The Congress hereby declares it that it is the policy of the United States that activities in space should be devoted to peaceful purposes for the benefit of mankind.

As an elementary school aged child during the formulative years of NASA's existence I recall the excitment of the Apollo program, and the first lunar landing by Apollo 11. In my teen aged years the continued exploration through SkyLab, the Apollo-Soyuz mission, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the Space Shuttle program kept me interested in man's ascent into space and the prospect of lunar colonies and missions to Mars. While we are not living on the moon or Mars yet their is still hope in man's continued exploration of space and his reach for the stars.

Politics 2008

"Liberty, according to my metaphysics is a self-determining power in an intellectual agent. It implies thought and choice and power." - John Adams

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. " John Adams

These day's you can't escape the main stream medias coverage of the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election. Much is being made of the Obama vs McCain race and the supposed impact on our nation by our choice of the next President. It is really pretty humourous, in a sad way, when you listen to the political pundits talk. You would think that the entire well being and future of our nation rests on the shoulders of the next President of the United States who will solve our economic problems, improve our healthcare system, achieve world peace and solve the "global warming" problem within his 4 year term. I wish every voter would read Article II of the U.S. Constitution and understand what our President is constitutional empowered to do. Then read Article I, concerning the constitutional duties of the legislature, you may just be surprised.

While, I understand the tremendous impact of leadership on a nation and I am reminded that our founding fathers were very wise such that through the Constitiution clear lines of demarcation of power were established so that the President would not be so powerful that he would be like a King. As citizens we must not allow our elected legislative body to abdicate their constitutional duties and allow our President act as a King.

Yes, our nations well being rests on the shoulders of the President, but also the Vice-President, 100 Senators, 435 Representatives, and over 304,000,000 citizens through the numerous individual choices we all make each and every day.

On the local political front and friend is running for Santa Rosa County Sheriff. Good luck Robert!

Robert Randle for Sheriff

And if you have not registered to vote I highly encourage you to do so!

Florida voter registration information.

Travelling Days

Lake Martin 2008

For the past couple of years we have gone to Lake Martin, Al with two other families and have spent a week doing absolutley nothing. (A very relaxing vacation) This year the scheduling did not work out for the three families to go spend a week but we did get to go with the Graydon's and spend the weekend with them at Wind Creek State Park in their new RV.

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For me personnaly the best thing of all is that my travelling is over for awhile. The past month or so has been hectic to say the least.

June 3rd - 5th (Orlando, Fl for work)

June 9th - 12th (Arlington, Va for work)

June 19th - 22nd (DeRidder, La for McReynolds reunion)

June 28th - July 1st (Orlando, Fl for Ashley's UCF orientation)

July 3rd - 5th (Wind Creek Park, Lake Martin, Al for vacation)

July 6th - 10th (Orlando, Fl for work)

The Impact of Choice

Congress Voting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Congress_voting_independence.jpg

While most people associate the 4th of July with the independence of our nation I find it interesting to read about what actually happened on the days leading up to the 4th and think about the people who actually participated. On the 2nd of July 1776 members of the Second Continental Congress voted in favor of a "resolution of independence" from British rule. The draft resolution was introduced by Richard Henry Lee of Virgina on the 7th of June and was debated for the next several days with many still believing a compromise with Britian could be reached. The resolution reached its final form on the 28th of June and was presented to Congress for approval where it was again debated for several days before being approved.

"that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved."

Several dozen men brought together in a time of uncertainty and war to publically vote for independence. These men, knowing full well the consequences of their actions, risked their lives, the lives of their families and their fortunes to bring together the Colonies against the British Empire and the rule of a Empire. It would have been so easy and safe for these men to have voted "No" on independence yet they believed strongly enough to risk everything and voted "Yes". Thank God for their strength, their faith and their resolve.

What would you risk your life, your family, and your wealth for?