Ex-astronaut Aldrin accused of punching man

CNN ^ | September 10, 2002

[Glenn]

Just how does one get to be an "ex" astronaut?

[Mamzelle]

ex astronaut--that means your life consists of running around going to other ex astronauts' funerals. Or running for office, or fronting for various bogus institutions. Check out the varied post-Nasa histories of the astronauts, and you'll be underwhelmed.

[thesharkboy]

The incident was videotaped...

The videotape looks fake to me. Look at the angle of the lighting on Aldrin's fist. Did you notice the way his fist seems to disappear just before it hits the jaw?

[weegee]

Look at NASA's post-moon misson accomplishments (especially considering the time frame) and you'll really be underwhelmed.

The astronauts I've talked with are put out with how little has been accomplished in the decades since.

[billorites]

"Check out the varied post-Nasa histories of the astronauts, and you'll be underwhelmed. "

Neil Armstrong had the right idea.

After the Apollo 11 flight was over, the first man to walk on the moon took a hike.

[Nitro]

I did see it, but I was dozing...

I'll have to give it a listen as well, as I have a feeling O'Reilly will air it tonight!!

[Newbomb Turk]

72 years old and still kicking ass. Way to go Buzz !

[Greybird]

Or running for office, or fronting for various bogus institutions.

Such as Frank Borman being the president of Boeing? Yeah, right.

O'course, Senator John Glenn was a member of an institution that churns out bogosity by the ton, but it's hardly fair to call the Senate a "bogus institution."

These men, including Glenn, are heroes. I had to watch "The Right Stuff" last night on HBO3 to get some respite from the endless wailing -- very little being genuinely respectful to the dead -- that began this past weekend. And to remember when we conquered frontiers.

[TexasCajun]

I saw the tape loop as well. It was great. Buzz absolutely punched the guys lights out. Too funny.

[Prodigal Son]

I had to watch "The Right Stuff" last night on HBO3 to get some respite from the endless wailing -- very little being genuinely respectful to the dead -- that began this past weekend. And to remember when we conquered frontiers.

That's a great movie.

[Greybird]

(shrug)--astronauts are just passengers, anyway.

Go and read the accounts of how Neil Armstrong had to steer Apollo 11 past a field of boulders, in order to make a safe landing on the Sea of Tranquility, and just try to say that again with a straight face.

The astronauts insisted on considerable autonomy during missions to respond to changing conditions, and it has often become essential. It was the Soviets who turned their cosmonauts into mere passengers, with every system radio-controlled from the ground. (Until Mir.)

[PRND21]

Lest We Forget- Some Guys Deserved to be Punched.

Go Buzz Go

[Frohickey]

Aldrin: "Will you get away from me?" (the strain in his voice is evident)

Sibrel: "You are a coward and a liar and a..."

Calling a person a coward and a liar justifies that person to give you a right hook to the jaw.

In times past, calling a person a coward and a liar is grounds for a duel on the street at high noon.

[Defend the Second]

Greybird you are right. The success or failure of virtually every space flight in Mercury, Gemini and Apollo was dependent on the presence of men who took over when things went wrong. I recommend the book "A Man on the Moon" by Andrew Chaikin for details on this. Mamzelle may not be impressed, but I think landing on the Moon is about all the achievement we can demand of these people.

[Liberal Classic]

This was not just some average person who happened to accost Mr. Aldrin in the street. This man Sibrel is a notorious hoaxer and publicity hound.

Sibrel's website, Lunar Anomalies.com is where he sells copies of his video tape, which "proves" that the moon landings were faked. The film he calls "31-year-old mislabeled, unedited reel of footage" is actually just some coppy and blurry footage before a NASA news conferance.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am all for making a buck. But this guy Sibrel is a fraud. Calling someone a coward and a liar are "fighting words" in my opinion, and Aldrin had every right to respond.

If you'd like to give Sibrel a virtual knucle-sandwich, then visit is contact page.

[jlogajan]

(shrug)--astronauts are just passengers, anyway. Never could figure out the fuss made over them.

They are incredibly brave passengers. All rockets are designed to just barely not blow up -- sometimes they do anyway.

[SES1066]

I vote that we send this loonie in Lance Bass' place and then, from the ISS, attach sufficient thrust units to get him to Clarke (geo-sync) orbit where his fatuosity can shine down on us forever (but no sound in space [grin])!

[Cuttnhorse]

I like it when 72-year olds punch out 37-year olds. The guy must be a wimp. Go Buzz!

[Defend the Second]

I like it when 72-year olds punch out 37-year olds. The guy must be a wimp. Go Buzz!

Me, too. Looks like Buzz's right stuff is still intact.

Anybody have a link to the video? I'd love to see it!

[Cuttnhorse]

Lest We Forget- Some Guys Deserved to be Punched.

You are so right...there are a lot of idiots in this world who would have a lot better manners if they got their butts kicked now and then. Nothing like carrying one's teeth home in a paper bag to emphasize the importance of good manners.
Go Buzz