I learned in recent years that my paternal grandfather (he died way back in the 90's) didn't believe we landed on the moon.
I know that's a common one, but I never bought into that one either (that we
didn't land on the moon; I fully believe we did). I think we had that shining period in the 60's where, for whatever reason, a bunch of people said "yeah, we're gonna do this". Whether it was sentimentality or feeling like they owed it to an assassinated president, who knows. Maybe 50+ years ago, such a thing was enough?
I just find it easier to believe that we did it, and it was the most awesome, bitchin' time ever to be an astronaut. Corvettes and astronaut groupie tail by the truck-load?
We do these things because it's hard, alright.
If it all
was a big sham/hoax, then they did a pretty good job. But I know for a fact you can't keep such a big secret amongst so many people intact for 50 years. So, for that reason
alone, we went. It's up to the fruitbats to prove/convince me otherwise, IMO. (cue Three Stooges music/sound effects).
But it never occurred to me that we
didn't do that (and all the other Mercury and Gemini stuff before).
But Dad and I were talking a few years ago about grandpa and he laid that little nugget on me. I never knew! I didn't ask about what else he didn't believe. Kinda don't wanna know, honestly.
So when everyone else was cheering and celebrating on July 20, 1969, he was probably on the back porch smoking a cigarette and rolling his eyes.