Scroll down to read this post.

 

Readers!

 

The time has come for my annual short Thanksgiving/Christmas fund drive for Behind The Black. I must do this every year in order to make sure I have earned enough money to pay my bills.

 

For this two-week campaign, I am offering a special deal to encourage donations. Donations of $200 will get a free autographed copy of the new paperback edition of Genesis: The Story of Apollo 8, while donations of $250 will get a free autographed copy of the new hardback edition. If you desire a copy, make sure you provide me your address with your donation.

 

As I noted in July, the support of my readers through the years has given me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.

 

In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.

 

Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.

 

Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:

 

1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.

 

2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
 

3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:

 

4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
 
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652

 

You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.


Abraham Lincoln – an annual tribute

An evening pause: Today is the birthday of Abraham Lincoln. As I try to do every year, I honor his memory on this date. As I wrote last year,

it is once again time to remember a man who stands as one of our nation’s — and possible one of the world’s — greatest leaders. Of our Presidents possibly only George Washington is more significant. We must above all not forget the incredible and now all too rare good will he held for everyone, even to those who hated him and wished to kill him.

Lincoln stood for freedom for all humans, the central heart of the American experiment. He was willing and did die for that stance. We should all be willing to do no less.

The video below shows probably every photograph ever taken of Lincoln, in chronological order. You can see him age and mature. You can also see a gaunt and serious man who appears to care deeply about whatever he does.

Genesis cover

On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.

 

The print edition can be purchased at Amazon. from any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.


The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
 

"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News

4 comments

  • Cotour

    SPEAKING OF PRESIDENTS

    Getting a little ahead of myself here, but in my opinion in 2024 it will be this man, retired Army Col., Allen West, who will be the strongest and most likely next Republican presidential candidate and president. This is the man, he will be in the mix for sure and he can prevail.

    I have had my eye on him for a long time, listen to this short interview and understand why I have developed this opinion.

    https://youtu.be/80aeEsBywTc

    And he will be the first true full blood Black American president.

    He is the exact right age, he is smart, he is well spoken, he is reasonable and balanced, he served 22 years in the Army, he served in Congress, he understands the intent of the Constitution and he is a true and natural leader. Denzel will play him in the movie.

    A little back round: “West was deployed to Kuwait in 1991 and Iraq in 2003. In 2003, West was charged in an incident that involved the beating and simulated execution of an Iraqi policeman. After an Article 32 hearing was held, West accepted non-judicial punishment, was fined $5,000, and allowed to retire as a lieutenant colonel.”

    As I understand it, Col. West was in charge of many men in Iraq and I believe 2 of his men were captured by the enemy and the Iraqi policeman knew where the enemy was taking them and he would not tell West the location. In this extreme situation Col. West persuaded the Iraqi policeman that it was in everyone’s best interests for him to help in recovering Col. Wests men.

    Col. West saved his mens lives due to his leadership and action.

    And THAT is the kind of man, or woman, that I want in the White House.

  • sippin_bourbon

    Cotour,

    I would vote for Allen.
    I kinda hoped he would have been the VEEP for Trump.
    Either way, I hope he jumps in.

    On the flip side, he may be looking to work behind the scenes to hold TX, as he says in his book.

    —————–

    In Regards to President Lincoln, I recently finished Team of Rivals by Goodwin.
    Excellent book.
    https://www.amazon.com/Team-Rivals-Political-Abraham-Lincoln/dp/0743270754

    It is not the be all end all of his life, or even his presidency. But still a good look into the politician.

  • Andi

    A day late, but better late than never:

    “Happy Birthday Abie Baby” — Hair

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyO_1KUCCfo

  • eddie willers

    Denzel will play him in the movie.

    Well…there you go.

    One thing all people can agree on: Lincoln was one ugly man. I wonder if this helped him since no one would fawn over him because of looks. You HAD to look deeper.

Readers: the rules for commenting!

 

No registration is required. I welcome all opinions, even those that strongly criticize my commentary.

 

However, name-calling and obscenities will not be tolerated. First time offenders who are new to the site will be warned. Second time offenders or first time offenders who have been here awhile will be suspended for a week. After that, I will ban you. Period.

 

Note also that first time commenters as well as any comment with more than one link will be placed in moderation for my approval. Be patient, I will get to it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *