Ex-astronaut Aldrin accused of punching man

CNN ^ | September 10, 2002

[TomB]

BEVERLY HILLS, California (Reuters) -- A man who publicly confronted astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin over whether he actually went to the moon said that the Apollo 11 hero almost sent him into space with a punch to the jaw.

Bart Sibrel, an independent filmmaker from Nashville, Tennessee, said he was trying to conduct an ambush interview with Aldrin outside a hotel in Beverly Hills when the astronaut punched him and ran away.

[weegee]

Perhaps at one point in his career, John Glenn was a hero but I cannot see him that way today.

[Verginius Rufus]

Wasn't Buzz Aldrin originally supposed to be the first man to walk on the moon, until Neil Armstrong pulled rank?

[Search4Truth]

I saw it on Fox. Nice overhand right cross for an old guy. I want to be just like Buzz when I grow up. :)

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Sibrel, 37, said he reported the assault to police and was seeking an assault charge against the 72-year-old astronaut.

Kick his a$$ Buzz!!! LOL

[PRND21]

Nothing like carrying one's teeth home in a paper bag to emphasize the importance of good manners.

Bump

[nightdriver]

"The one used for 12 was burned out after a few minutes when one of the astronauts (Conrad or Bean, don't remember which) accidentally pointed it at the sun."

You're right. I remember that now. But I thought it was the Hasselblad still camera that burned out that automatic apperture.

I was thinking a video RECORDING camera, which I don't think it was. Guess I'm getting rummy. Of course they had a video camera. They left it there to transmit video of them lifting off.

[Physicist]

I saw this on FNC last night. When the confrontation began, I started yelling, "Hit him, Buzz, hit him!" And he did. Boy, did I let out a cheer! I found his response to be the most rational, measured response to such idiotic garbage that I've seen in a long time. A lesson in applied philosophy.

[Wondervixen]

Kicked? No, I sprained an ankle once doing that.

I think taking a driver out of the golf club bag and using that can pop his testicles up into his eye sockets just as effectively.

[Saundra Duffy]

I saw it on TV. It was great! He punched a reporter!! Don't you just love it? For victory & freedom!!!

[1rudeboy]

If someone provokes an attack, when is violence a warranted response (legally)?

You must be in imminent apprehension of harmful or offensive contact. (In other words, if someone goes to grab you, or spit on you, you can clock him). On the other hand, being called a liar does not (legally) justify a physical response.

This is a straight-up battery case. Buzz will pay a fine (maybe), his lawyer will get the sentence suspended (probably), and the judge will ask for an autograph.

[cactusSharp]

remind me to NEVER pis you off


and with a golf club no less
.........lol...............

[Mamzelle]

Lots of things blow up.... mostly they're brave enough to grin for the cameras. Rock stars want to buy tickets into space...are rock stars really brave? These astronauts can't hold a family together, get involved with a lot of money-losing schemes, trade on their brief moments and won't stop those who sell secrets to the Chinese--

Those who see these "heroes" at close range don't take them very seriously. Lovell was quite the exception. Mostly it was unsung technicians who got us into space, not the seat meat.

[Defend the Second]

Man, I wonder if you have a personal reason for sounding so resentful. I hope most peole are not as bitter as you. These days we could use a lot more guys in public life like the astronauts of the 60's. Now that I think about we do have a few: Donald Rumsfeld, for instance.

[TomB]

You've got some issues, Sparky. Now why don't you run along and kick a puppy or something?

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I saw the tape on Foxnews yesterday. It was awesome! Buzz throws a good right hook, the guy goes down flat on his ass! ROTFLMAO!!!

IT'S A FAKE!!!! Dontcha get it? Buzz never punched him, Buzz was never in the hotel, the whole thing is a big fat HOAX!!! It's just so obvious!

[Wondervixen]

Lets just say it gets an asshole's attention.

:-)

[Wondervixen]

No, Buzz was there allright...It's SIBREL that wasn't there...At least he never put his hand on the Bible & swore to it.

Sheeesh...Sibrel has more to worry about than Aldrin. God doesn't take lightly people with as little respect for his word as to mock it by slinging it about looking for someone to swear upon it for show.

[TomB]

For all of you wanting to give Buzz a thumbs-up:

Contact Buzz

Mamzelle, don't bother, Buzz might smack you upside your head too.

And thanks (most of you) for making this an enjoyable thread. There are too few of these anymore, mostly becasue of the likes of Mamzelle.

[SerpentDove]

>> One small thump for a man, one giant leap for mankind.<<

Now that's the kind of wit I admire!

:-))

[jlogajan]

Rock stars want to buy tickets into space...are rock stars really brave?

You really can't tell how brave someone is by the profession they are in. On the otherhand, they just might not appreciate the risk.

Mostly it was unsung technicians who got us into space, not the seat meat.

Almost all human endeavor is incremental -- building on the work of others. There are visionaries -- Goddard, von Braun, and earlier than that. Few people in the chain are irreplaceable. Everybody does their part. The "seat meat" just happen to have the immediate risk of bodily harm.

They are heroes in the Randian sense that they inspire bravery in others.