“On July 21st, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong became the first human beings to land on the moon. Just short of 3 1/2 years, Eugene Cernan and Jack Schmitt became the last humans to date to repeat the accomplishment. A grand total of 12 human beings, all Americans, have set foot on Earth’s nearest neighbor. That shouldn’t be surprising: The moon landings were part and parcel of a political ’space race’ between the US and Soviet governments. The intent behind that race wasn’t to open a gateway to the stars for humankind; it was to score stature points in the decades-long game of ‘Cold War’ posturing.” (10/25/09)