Mankind's Giant Leap







It was forty-three years ago today that Neil Armstrong took that one small step for man, and one giant leap for mankind. Looking back on that day in 1969, one has to wonder if the crew of Apollo 11 were aware of the indelible mark that they would leave on our nation's history? What Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin achieved on July 20th, 1969 was more than a decade in the making. To fully appreciate what occurred that historic day, one must have a general understanding of key historical moments in the years leading up to 1969. During the decade of the 1950's and beyond, the United States and the Soviet Union were mired in what historians have dubbed the Cold War. Simply put, the Cold War was a philosophical and ideological standoff between the two emerging world superpowers. With both nations trying to gain the upper hand, the competition shifted to space in 1957 when the Soviets launched a small satellite known as Sputnik. The launch of Sputnik led to massive changes in American society at the time. President Eisenhower pushed for increased funding for missile development. America's schools began beefing up their math and science curriculums as a way to train more scientists and engineers to keep pace with the Soviets. It was in the years following Sputnik's launch that the United States created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA. Although the Soviets were able to get a satellite into space before the United States, America was determined not to be out-done. Fearing that America was losing the race to space, President Kennedy promised in a speech before a joint session of Congress in 1961, that the United States would successfully land a man on the moon before the end of the decade. To many, this goal seemed quite lofty to say the least. With our space program in it's infancy at this time, many questioned if President Kennedy could be serious about the bold assertion he made in that speech. Thanks to a nation of dreamers and believers, a nation of innovators and achievers, that now famous footprint on the surface of the moon will forever symbolize an America that we can all be proud of. 

The Romney Veepstakes

With the presidential election just four months away, speculation is swirling about who Mitt Romney will select as his vice-presidential running mate. There are a number of factors that presidential candidates consider when deciding on who will fill the number two spot on the ticket. Some presidential candidates prefer a running mate who will shore up support among a particular voting bloc such as women or Hispanics, while other candidates might select someone who can help deliver a key swing state come November. While Governor Romney will no doubt consider someone who can help his candidacy in one or more of those ways, he has repeatedly said that his first priority in choosing a running mate is to find someone who will be ready to step into the presidency on day one. In my view, there are six individuals who stand out as the most logical choices for Mitt Romney. First and foremost would be up and coming Florida Senator Marco Rubio. While some argue that Rubio is not quite ready for the vice-presidency, I think the pick makes sense for two reasons. First, the selection of Rubio could help to ensure that Mitt Romney wins the state of Florida and it's twenty-nine electoral votes. Second, as the son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio could help Romney close the gap among Latino voters who will no doubt play a key role in electing the next president. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie would bring not only valuable executive experience to the ticket, but some would also argue that the selection of Christie would bring some much needed enthusiasm and excitement to the campaign as well. Some have suggested that if Christie is the pick, he might overshadow the man at the top of the ticket due to his popularity among many Republicans. Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin appears to be another front runner for the number two job. Ryan currently serves as the chairman of the House Budget Committee. With the economy being the number one issue for voters this election year, many would say that the selection of Paul Ryan would be the best pick that Romney could make. Wisconsin's status as a swing state in this year's election could also persuade Governor Romney to give the nod to Representative Ryan. Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who is currently on the campaign trail in Ohio as a surrogate for Mitt Romney, would be one of the safest picks that Romney could make. Pawlenty would be considered by many to be one of the most conservative selections that Romney could make. In a state that usually votes Democratic in presidential elections, the selection of Pawlenty could help turn a traditionally blue state red this November. Romney would surely like the fact that as a former governor, Tim Pawlenty, like Chris Christie would bring valuable executive experience to Romney's campaign. Senator Rob Portman of Ohio is also receiving a lot of attention as a possible running mate for Mitt Romney. Portman would be a beneficial addition to the Republican ticket for two reasons primarily. As the former director of the Office of Management and Budget, many would argue that Portman would bring valuable economic experience to the vice-presidential slot. Senator Portman also served as U.S. Trade Representative from May 2005 to May 2006 further solidifying his economic credentials. Needless to say, Ohio is key to a Romney victory in 2012. As a matter of fact, no Republican has ever won the presidency without winning Ohio. Knowing that Senator Portman could help deliver Ohio for Mitt Romney, one would be foolish to think that Governor Romney isn't giving him serious consideration. Perhaps the most surprising pick that Mitt Romney could make would be that of Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire. While New Hampshire will be a key swing state in this year's election as well, I have a hard time believing that Mitt Romney would select Senator Ayotte for the sole purpose of winning the state since it only has four electoral votes. I could see Romney selecting Senator Ayotte to help secure more votes among women nationwide, but at the same time, as a relatively unknown in the world of politics, I see Kelly Ayotte as a very risky pick. Given the fact that Senator John McCain went with a relatively unknown in 2008 by selecting former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, I can't see Romney doing the same in 2012 especially given the outcome of the 2008 presidential race. Trying to predict who a presidential candidate will select as their running mate is like trying to predict which numbers will win you the lottery. It is usually a very difficult thing to do. Who will be the winner of the 2012 Romney veepstakes? Your guess is as good as mine.

A Brief History of America's Independence




Two-hundred thirty-six years ago today, some of the greatest men our country has ever known pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor so that we, the people of this great nation might be free. I can't begin to imagine what must have been going through the minds of our founding fathers as they each courageously signed their names to that now famous piece of parchment inside of Independence Hall in Philadelphia on July 4th, 1776. The signing of our declaration by the likes of Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and John Adams had been years in the making. Those living in the colonies, including those now famous members of the Second Continental Congress, had been subjected to the oppressive rule of King George III for quite some time. The King had deprived the colonists of their basic liberties such as the right to trial by jury, the right to free trade, and the right to be free from taxation without representation. This final grievance was the straw that broke the camel's back. After learning that George III was planning on levying taxes on the colonists to help repay war debts, those living in the colonies decided to take action. Several meetings of the colonies would be held in the coming years to protest the actions of the King. These included the Stamp Act Congress, the First Continental Congress, and finally the Second Continental Congress which produced our Declaration of Independence. Numerous political protests were occurring in the colonies at this time as well. In 1773, several hundred colonists dressed as Indians, dumped close to three-hundred and fifty chests of tea into Boston Harbor in what came to be known as the Boston Tea Party. It is literally quite fascinating to examine the ideological and philosophical changes that took place in the minds of our nation's earliest leaders at this time. This transformation in thinking took place sometime between the First Continental Congress and the Second Continental Congress as delegates came to believe that the only way to secure independence was to do so militarily rather than diplomatically. Previous attempts at diplomacy had failed, and the members of the Second Continental Congress knew that the only way that Britain would take the colonists seriously would be through an act of war. The Congress promptly named George Washington commander of the newly organizing Continental Army, and as they say, the rest is history. Thanks to the courage and determination of our forefathers as well as those who served in the Continental Army, we were able to defeat the strongest military in the world at the time, and secure our freedom. Over the last two-hundred and thirty-six years, the freedom of our great nation has been challenged, and will continue to be. It is only through the sacrifice of many that the liberty of all has been preserved. May that serve as the true legacy of this great and glorious day.