Ex-astronaut escapes assault charge (BUZZ ALDRIN ALERT)

BBC News ^ | September 21, 2002 | BBC News

[MadIvan]

And without Buzz Aldrin we wouldn't have this cracking Monty Python sketch:

Policeman: (Graham Chapman) Right. Right! RIGHT! Now then! Now then! Your turn.

Chemist: (Michael Palin) Aren't you going to say 'What's all this then?'?

Policeman: Oh! Right, what's all this, then?

Chemist: This man has been shoplifting, officer.

Policeman: Oh, he has? Yus?

Chemist: Yes.

Policeman: Are you trying to tell me my job?

Chemist: No, but he's been shoplifting.

Policeman: Look! I must warn you that anything you may say will be ignored and furthermore, given half a chance I'll put my fist through your teeth. F'tang. F'tang.

Man (Eric Idle): But officer, this man here...

Policeman: I've had enough of you. You're under arrest.

(He makes noises of plane flying and firing.)

Chemist: Officer, it wasn't him. (indicates shoplifter) He's the shoplifter.

Shoplifter: (Terry Jones) No I'm not.

Shoplifter's Mate: (sticking his head out of mac) He's not, I'm a witness.

Policeman: (to chemist) One more peep out of you and I'll do you for heresy.

Chemist: Heresy. Blimey. I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition.

Policeman: Shut up! F'tang. F'tang. Oh, that's nice. (he takes an object off the counter and pockets it) Right. I'm taking you along to the station.

Man: What for?

Policeman: I'm charging you with illegal possession of whatever we happen to have down there. Right. Lunar module calling Buzz Aldrin. Come in. (makes plane noise again) Raindrops keep falling on my head, but that doesn't mean that my...

(Caption appears on screen: 'AN APOLOGY')

Voice Over: (John Cleese) The BBC would like to apologize to the police about the character of Police Constable Pan-Am. He was not meant to represent the average police officer. Similarly, the reference to Buzz Aldrin, the astronaut, was the product of a disordered mind and should not be construed as having any other significance. Photo of Buzz Aldrin.

(Superimposed caption on the screen: 'THE BUZZ ALDRIN SHOW STARRING BUZZ ALDRIN WITH... (CREDITS)' Cut to Gumbys as at start of show.)

Gumbys: And now for something completely different. (jump cut to female Gumbys; then back to original shot) Oh that was fun. And now (CAPTION: 'THE END') The end, The end! The end! The end!

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[piasa]

Is Mr. Sibrel someone we know? We seemed to have a few anti-apollo tinfoilers on here in the past... didn't one of them claim to be a film-maker?

[Diogenesis]

I saw the video. Sibrel assaulted Dr. Aldrin.

In fact, Dr. Aldrin asked for police help BEFORE he defended himself.

[Happygal]

One small smack for Buzz, one giant shiner for Sibrel-kind ;-)

[MadIvan]

In fact, Dr. Aldrin asked for police help BEFORE he defended himself.

It's refreshing to see someone defend themselves against this sort of nonsense, actually. I am delighted Dr. Aldrin came out of it none the worse for wear.

Regards, Ivan

[AmericanInTokyo]

I'll bet Sibrel 'saw stars' after Dr. Buzz took care of him!

[Freedom4US]

Golly, maybe there really is justice in this world.

Let's look at the record. Mr. Aldrin is combat-decorated pilot from the Korean War, a top notch guy all around, the second man on the moon by virtue of seating arrangements, among other things. Mr. Sibrel is some whiny, nasal-toned twit who sponges off the gullible by writing lies about our space program, and called a true American Hero a "coward and a liar" -- I would have loved to watch Buzz adjust that guy's jaw!

I listened to a radio interview with the moron in question, and the host asked him something along the lines of "Don't you feel ashamed to have been beat up by a 74 year old man? Are you going to press charges?"... LOL

[RightOnline]

Sibrel is an obnoxious prick. My only regret is that Aldrin didn't get a better swing and switch off this jerk's lights.

[piasa]

I saw a nice replay of the swing, and I have to admit it was beautiful and swift for a guy that age. I would have liked to see him land another... and another...on the surface of ol' moonface.

That was one small swing for a man, one giant wallop for mankind.

[Northern Yankee]

Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!

Way to go Buzz.

Sibrel saw stars... LOL

[rabidralph]

I bet the news has made these little tykes very happy.

[Jalapeno]

Here is Bart Sibrel's website

[Jalapeno]

Here he is..pre-punch.

[Jalapeno]

There are all sorts of interesting things whackos believe due to junk science. Here is an excellent resource: Phil Blat's Bad Astronomy Page

The "Deadly Van Allen Belt" attack against the moon landing is popular, but stupid at best.

Here is a rebuttal to those charges

[MadIvan]

He looks like a right prat. He should have kept his mouth shut and not proven the impression.

Regards, Ivan

[primeval patriot]

Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., lunar module pilot, poses for a photograph beside the deployed United States flag during Apollo 11 extravehicular activity on the lunar surface. The Lunar Module "Eagle" is on the left. The footprints of the astronauts are clearly visible in the soil of the moon. This picture was taken by Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, commander, with a 70mm lunar surface camera.

[Physicist]

Mr Aldrin responded by punching Mr Sibrel,

I don't believe this occurred. Any evidence they have of this is faked.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

I agree 100%. The tape was obviously manufactured at a Hollywood soundstage.

[Physicist]

Here he is...post-punch.