The Daily News published an edited version of this letter on July 23, 2009. I've always wanted to join my love of space exploration and civil rights in one statement.

"If they can put a man on the moon..." is an expression that also celebrates its 40th anniversary along with the moon landing that spawned it. Combined with the civil rights victories of the 1960's, America demonstrated technical and moral achievements that continue to awe and inspire. When the human ability to destroy and humiliate is witnessed in war and oppression, those small steps and giant leaps remind us of our true calling.