Letter writer: When was the last time one of our Democratic Massachusetts representatives or senator voted against his party?
Moon landing seen around the globe
Two views of Neil Armstrong -- in 1969, left, and earlier this year.On the evening of July 20, 1969, several of us students from American International College, along with hundreds from other colleges and universities, were studying in our dorm rooms in Strasbourg, France, for our next-day’s French language, civilization and culture classes.
News spread throughout the dormitory that the United States was about to achieve, what some around the world thought would be the unachievable landing a man on the moon.
We were told that spacecraft Apollo 11 and its crew were close to the moon and a landing would be imminent. Anyone wishing to see the televised event was encouraged to assemble, quickly, in the dorm lounge to watch the only television.
As we gathered and waited, with anticipation, the crowd was hushed until the touchdown occurred. The tightly-crowded room filled with thunderous applause. But, it was minimal in comparison to the clapping and joyous screams when astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin stepped foot onto the moon’s surface.
When we heard Neil Armstrong say, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” the roaring applause got even louder and whistles and hollers were not to be forgotten. Those of us, especially, from the United States, were filled with pride and awe of our country’s many men and women who participated in such an outstanding achievement.
The articles and photos covered in the Sunday Republican on Aug. 26 and The Republican on Sept. 5 brought back the many lasting memories of my studies, associations and travels in Europe. Nothing, of course, could compare with the travels, courage, intelligence and determination of our astronauts during their tremendous journey.
Thanks for the memories.
– ROBERTA PAGE, West Springfield
Romney’s shows scary ineptitude
It was appalling to see former Gov. Mitt Romney assail President Obama on Sept. 12 in the wake of our ambassador and embassy staff being killed in Libya, even before all of the victims’ families had been notified of their deaths.
To turn that horrific act into political gamesmanship showed Romney to be less than presidential in his thoughts and actions. Clearly Romney’s press conference had been calculated and staged with the American flags behind him and a podium with a fake “presidential” seal on the front.
For him to try to score political points with American voters and insert himself into an unfolding crisis as if he was speaking for the American People was akin to Alexander Haig announcing to the world that he was in charge when President Reagan was shot.
Romney was tactless, had not done his research, and clearly showed once again that he does not have the foreign policy acumen and chops to hold the highest office in our land. What is even more concerning is who he has selected as his campaign and foreign policy advisers to think that his rhetoric on Tuesday is acceptable on any level. He showed himself to be a blustering, ill-informed person having no concept of how his words would be perceived in our country and by our allies abroad, especially in the Mideast.
If this attempt was to give himself credibility in his ability to handle U.S. foreign policy, it goes the way of his other recent debacles on the foreign stage and just shows himself to be unqualified to be our next president.
- KATHRYN M. COULOMBE, South Hadley
State needs senator like Scott Brown
I found a recent letter to the editor saying that U.S. Sen. Scott Brown has fooled Democrats into supporting him very amusing.
If you don’t agree 100 percent of the time with the extreme left, you are either old, suffer from an addled mind, a fool or a has-been.
We need more senators and representatives who don’t blindly follow the party line 100 percent of the time. When was the last time one of our Democratic Massachusetts representatives or senator voted against their party?
– WILLIAM KUPIEC, Ware