[meteorite-list] NASA sues Moonwalker Astronaut

[MexicoDoug]

http://www.wpbf.com/news/28418418/detail.html

Unfortunately this is not a case of media error. Here is a video you 
can see the American National Hero Ed Mitchell discussing his mementos 
and memorabilia and how things really were in the Apollo days. It is 
easy nowadays that fewer and fewer of these heroes are left to look at 
things with 2011 salivation. It is the selling that irked NASA, 
something that they were not concerned about 10, 20, 30 years ago.

He notes that basically he took it back in as personal stuff as it was 
meant to be left as litter on the Moon. If I were asked, I think he 
should be awarded another medal for cleaning up the mess and bringing 
it back for a rare private contribution. Such obtainable things do a 
great deal to stimulate interest in space exploration and national 
pride (for the better or worse), and play an important role in public 
relations. Museums and Private collection can co-exist ;-)

Why doesn't the judge just say that if NASA wants to go to the Moon and 
throw it's garbage back, Ed will be responsible for mission, court and 
legal costs so it can be disposed of properly?

On US Independence Day, it would be great to have one of the dozens of 
flags in private possession that were carried with the astronauts to 
the Moon and back and have been sold. But, independent of all of this 
he says NASA gave it to him and I believe him. There are no conditions 
about garbage disposal and sales in Apollo contracts ... The man has no 
reason to lie and leave a bad legacy. The preponderance of evidence 
favors his version of the Apollo years. Things changed afterwards ... 
but that was afterwards ...

Kindest regards
Doug


-----Original Message-----
From: Elizabeth Warner <warnerem at astro.umd.edu>
To: Rich Jolly <rdjolly at comcast.net>
Cc: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
Sent: Mon, Jul 4, 2011 1:51 pm
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] NASA sues Moonwalker Astronaut


On Mon, 4 Jul 2011, Rich Jolly wrote: 
 
I have not been following this thread in great detail, just skimming 
the messages. 
 
One thought comes to mind is that if he was trying to sell the item 
that while he may have gotten it as a gift, it was maybe under the 
understanding that he or his family would not sell it... ie, that the 
item would convey back to NASA for disposal or to be put into a 
museum... 
 
After all, in theory, all of that stuff belongs to the US citizens, so 
if he no longer wants it, it should be returned or at least we should 
get right of first refusal. 
 
Again, without knowing all of the details it's hard to know exactly 
what is happening. We do know how truthful/factual our media can be. 
 
Clear Skies! 
Elizabeth 
 
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