The world pooh-poohed us when JFK said that we would go to the moon. The USSR was supposed to be SO much better at space travel. I remember it all very well. I remember all the snide remarks from people who would NOT believe that the USA could even do it.
And I WILL get puffed up about the USA landing on the moon, FIRST and three times. It was a DREAM of humanity for a long time. If one can't "puffed up" about a THREE-TIME MOON LANDING, then what CAN one be "puffed up" about? Geez, are you a wet blanket about that wonderful accomplishment or what?
Six times.
By objective standards the Soviets WERE much better at space travel, which was the prime motivation for Kennedy's 1961 speech to Congress wasn't it?
By the same objective standards today, the Russians make better rocket engines without which the United States couldn't even launch their own satellites.
Rather then resting on laurels earned decades ago maybe its time for another Presidential speech, or at the very least a tamping down of the irrational Russophobia...ymmv.