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A recent survey in the news showed that the war in Iraq had dropped to number 3 on a list of issues currently obsessing potential voters in the ongoing presidential campaign season.
That war trailed the economy and gas prices on the list of items clearly furrowing the brows of the American electorate. Oddly enough in the reams of coverage devoted to oil prices, the Iraqi insurgency, the mortgage crisis, the credit crunch and all the ensuing economic upheaval attached, the war in Afghanistan barely creates a ripple.
Sure, we’re concerned that Pakistan’s role in the War on Terror could be a little more one-sided–with that nation’s government, army and secret service preferably falling on OUR side of the fence–but all-in-all Afghanistan has become a kind of “limbo war”; not as concrete as the one in Iraq, but a place where all the success since the routing of the Taliban has become dimmer, their resurgence a grim reminder of how unfinished the job is over there.
I would get more sanctimonious about this issue if in truth I wasn’t as guilty of my own–at best, amnesia; at worst, indifference–towards the situation. I worry about gas and the economy, too.
Yet earlier this week I received the most wonderful e-mail in my “Letters to the Editor” mailbox.
Typically, it overflows with bargain Viagra and/or Cialis pitches, angry missives from Creationists or UFOlogists and for some reason of late, irked Raƫlians. But on Wednesday I received an e-mail from SFC William H. Ruth of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division stationed somewhere in Afghanistan.
Sgt. Ruth wrote in response to SPACE.com Senior Editor Tariq Malik’s story Monday about Prof. Stephen Hawking’s belief in extraterrestrial life and he has a suggestion for NASA:
“Please forward this to the proper channels. I have read Stephen Hawking’s latest remarks on space travel and the importance of it to human survival. The problem is, NASA is going about it all the wrong way.
Here is an idea: Send battle-hardened, strong-minded soldiers and marines on the long trips into space. We are conditioned to live with the bare minimal (of) life’s necessities and are trained to be prepared for … the worst conditions that any environment could throw at us.
Hell, me and my men will go, set up a colony somewhere and await colonists to arrive.
Me and most of my men are on our 3rd or 4th deployment into a combat area. We are scouts, reconnaissance specialists. We go before everyone else and spend time living off the land. Sounds just like the type of men needed for a long colonization journey.
Please pass this message on to anyone you know in the space program. (T)here are many men already trained and prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country and the human race.
Thank you for your time.
SFC Ruth, 101st Airborne Division. Afghanistan”
I don’t know what impressed me more, Sgt. Ruth’s enthusiasm, his selflessness or his commitment to his country and all humanity. We traded e-mails throughout the week and I pointed out that many in NASA’s astronaut program are pulled from the U.S. Air Force and Navy.
Still, the idea of sending scout parties with years of practical experience seems obvious to me. As Dennis Tito, the first civilian space tourist has shown us, you don’t have to have extra-special skills to go into space, just the desire to go there.
Sgt Ruth sent me a pic of he and his fellow soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan:
Sgt. Ruth’s e-mail put Afghanistan in the forefront of my mind as one of the most important issues of the day. Last time I checked, Osama bin Laden is still cavorting there in the border regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
For anyone at NASA reading this, take a serious look at Sgt. Ruth’s proposal, it’s a brave out-of-the box idea. In all humility, I realize that this is what real heroes do: They protect their country, their fellow soldiers and the defenseless. They tolerate impossible conditions and the very real risk of injury and possible death.
And when they have some free time, they look to the stars and dream of saving humanity.
If you would like to reach Sgt. Ruth and his troops to thank them for their service and wish them well, please e-mail me here at this address. All appropriate e-mails will be forwarded.
April 25th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
As a veteran myself serving in the late 70’s, I am so inspired by my uniformed brothers and sisters. I went in the military shortly after the conclusion of Vietnam and got to know many of the soldiers of that era. When I see the misuse of this nation’s bravest, as in Iraq, and knowing the “forgotten war” aka Afganistan, my heart swells for those brave souls. I can think of no other braver souls to undertake such a “worthwhile” mission of exploration/colonization of the planets, should I dare say even more so than Iraq!?
April 25th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I think the only thing stopping lunar colonization is the Government and its regulations.
Are there any other groups, private or governmental, capable of landing a craft safely on the moon that can carry a human payload and necessary life supplies? If money to fund a lunar colonizing project could be raised would any government regulations keep it form happening?
Katibu Maduka
April 25th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
This idea is great! unfortunately it will only be a pipe dream due to the UN prohibition on the weaponization and militarization of space. Until that archaic resolution (which was approved in the 50’s or 60’s) is either updated or rescinded, the colonization of space will not likely occur. How else will you be able to protect a vulnerable colony from cometary or asteroidal impact or from any other unforeseen circumstance? Not with spitballs or useless debate.
Send the Marines and The Army! They will do a lot better than the politicians would do!
April 26th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Sugt. Rush thanks for sharing your out of the world thinkings. Its not only out of the world thinking but thats how we all should think.
Why cant we see the big picture? Its Wrapping all around us. The Space with countless discoveries. I wish all the countries in the world should focus their vision and mission to explore whats out there instead of fighting and destroying everything. If the effort is a combined one, then the space exploration will see a new light.
Let us work as a race, Human race and raise ourself from the little things like, boundaries and religion and power.
April 27th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
If it weren’t for the fact that sending the military would be alarming (towards other countries who would spin this as another “American evil”) I think this would be a good idea for NASA.
Unfortunately, NASA is a civilian agency, and they may shy away from anything even hinting that they are a military operation.
~Darnell
April 28th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Bless this man for his bravery and selflessness! From what I’ve heard, being on the Moon or Mars is likely to be safer (and nicer) than being in Afghanistan!
April 28th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Thank you to the troops of 101st Airborne Division, and all others in the service of this country. With dedicated souls such as theses, I have no doubt we will touch the soils of other alien worlds before we know it. Bless you all for all you do.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:18 am
I found this very interesting since one of the soldiers is my son SGT Steven R Marrott Jr–I am still thinking about the Moon idea–would there be snail mail, e-mail or phone calls? I truly love each and every soldier there for the sacrifice (I know of first hand) they make for this country and ALL AMERICANS—Thanks for the picture it made my day–
April 30th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Dinoland, I’ve got a stepson in the group, Lt. Cyle Alden. They are indeed the best and brightest, but Mars is just too far, as is Afghanistan. This is Cyle’s third deployment and damn well better be the last. Or it won’t be to Mars, but, like Jackie Gleason used to say, “to the moon, Alice!”
Safe home to them all.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:01 am
Dinoland — Thanks for your comment. I have surprise for you. This morning I received this e-mail from Sgt. Ruth and he wanted me to share it with you:
“Thank you for forwarding this, SGT Marrott was not only surprised but overwhelmed by seeing his mother respond to this blog. I think sometimes people forget that we are family men, our wife’s miss our touch, we miss our children growing up. And our mothers worry about losing their sons.
If you could, can you post this response on the blog so that SGT Marrott’s mother and others can see these words. Thank you.”
Thanks again.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:13 am
What an interesting story. When I read a story like this I am torn between being “involved” in political issues or “oblivious” to them. I am truly worried for America. Colonize the MOON? From what I see of the moon (which is a distant picture) i see no real benefit in venturing into space to live.
I want to give a “shout-out” to SGT Ruth and his troop and especially my brother, SGT Marrott. On this subject of you volunteering to go to the moon; first, this just confirms my opinion that you all are brave and rough worthy. Secondly, I think you all need to really think about this next “vacation”. First Iraq, then Afghanistan and these are pretty dismal compared to where you come from. Talk about Man vs Wild. What if there are huge insects - o yeah you have those there. What if there is no water - o yeah you have that there… hmm.. Maybe the moon IS an option for life.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:44 am
For the sake of your brother and his fellow soldiers: Get involved. The problem we Americans face now, and have faced since 9/11, is the use of partisan hackery to define “patriotism”.
It has muddied the waters of rational conversation. I support our troops and whole-heartedly believe in the mission to oust the Taliban and instill order and democracy in Afghanistan. But I fear that some people in power used the events of 9/11 to lay the ground work for Operation Iraqi Freedom for purely ideological and economic purposes.
So, while I have serious doubts about the reason we went into Iraq, I am not going to turn my back on our forces stationed there. I can vote here, I can support candidates and initiatives that will safeguard our rights at home, take care of our soldiers should they be harmed and hopefully ensure that the reasons for a show of military force in the future is truly warranted.
May 1st, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Staying oblivious has been difficult to do. Fortunately, in the last 4 yrs I have been more aware and at least reading, listening and trying to understand what is going on. I have voted to the best to my knowledge and even written my congressman. I do get really worked up about all this and have to take a step back to calm down. Part of that is because of my lack of knowledge on a lot of the issues’ history. There is such a disconnect happening in our country. I reread the Declaration of Independence and Constitution a yr ago - took awhile. I think others ought to read it periodically to reaffirm what we have here. We do, and willingly, help other countries find their footing in democracy but is this destroying ours?
I agree and believe as you do that the mission to oust Taliban is important and necessary. And our soldiers deserve our support and I voice my opinion often and as loudly as I can when conversations arise. I am starting to figure out what I can do, as an American, to help. But I concede there is a lot I don’t know and am in the process of learning.
May 1st, 2008 at 6:21 pm
For those inside the US, perhaps this sounds like an original and wise idea. outside the US, but among nations friendly to the US, it sounds a little creepy — something like an advance scouting party to be followed by an army, not a civilian colony — but probably not too bad if that’s you’re thing. of course, outside the Pax Americana tent it sounds decidedly scary, like the first of the new American invasions. but alas, for all that it’s hardly original. shades of the Dirty Dozen and Armageddon … or Lewis & Clark … or Capt James Cook (reflected in the naming of the space shuttle Endeavour). It’s now law in Australia that the invasion which the British performed in the 18th century was just that … a land grab. Watch for the law suits after America invades / occupies an apparently “Terra nullius” planet and then someone wants it back.