The Moon: the Ultimate "High Ground"
As Americans watched over the last couple of weeks the journey to the moon that NASA pulled off, there have been a myriad of opinions and emotions related to it. Some by journalists, some by commentators, some by politicians, some by inspired citizens. As I said, a myriad of comments.
For many, who in my opinion lack vision, they regarded it as a waste of money. And they would likely advocate if given a chance to spend that money on legal defense of illegal criminal aliens. I’m being sarcastic of course. But, likely on target.
No doubt it was inspiring to so many around the world and especially in the United States to see us reach for the stars again—as humans. Deep inside all of us I think there is the curiosity of the explorer. We might not possess the courage of explorers then and now. We might not have the resources to do it ourselves. But we dream, and we admire.
I think all of that is good for us. We only progress when there is a dream, an aspiration to something higher. That alone will likely fuel America’s continued and escalated reentrance into deep space. For there is much to learn, and much to be done by the generations that will end this century and begin the next one.
For me though I want to put your attention on something—especially if you are inclined to do some spectacular thing once, and then turn your attention to some other thing we could take a quick win at. Attention span is admittedly a problem for Americans I think. We don’t start and persist along a line long enough to reap the greatest benefits very often. Gen Z for example appears to have an on average start to quit time of 62 days. Now that is short-sighted by anyone’s definition!
Most Americans, however, will have to face the question of just how much should we fund going to the moon and establishing bases there, how much time and energy should our country spend on a “dream?” Many will consider it a “waste of money.”
It is those of you who feel that way that I wish to address specifically today. Forget the “dream, vision” rhetoric that you feel is too esoteric and not in the average Americans’ best interest. There is one reason—above all others, and despite the more high-minded and even commercial interests of such explorations, the one no one is writing or talking about.
It is a practical matter, a survival matter. For those of you who are only concerned about what happens here on earth, and could care less about us venturing off to the moon, you need to get your head out of the sand.
And if you are bedazzled and fixated on extra-terrestrials and visits from outer space and all that that may mean for Mankind, wake up. For there is an existing and immediate threat looming that has nothing to do with other species.
It has to do with a very real threat here on Earth, and which will likely require that we take the moon, and own it. It is a military threat, and one I am sure is being discussed in military circles.
Whoever takes the moon first with landing and establishing a base or bases there will claim ownership of it. I doubt we have worked out legal jurisdictions in our solar system yet. We seem to have enough trouble with that here on earth. But, make no mistake, whoever gets there first will claim ownership, but more importantly they will use it as an operating base.
One does not have to be a West Point graduate to know that in all military engagements that I have studied, or you have studied or heard of—even in every Hollywood war movie—the commander will seek to “get the high ground.” There are distinct military benefits to having the high ground when it comes to defending yourself, or in going on the offensive.
Our American history is replete with just such strategies from the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War battles, World War 2, Viet Nam, Afghanistan—you name it. And the enemy holds those same strategies. Witness Iran today with the Strait of Hormuz. Witness the Golan Heights. Witness the formidable mountains of Afghanistan.
Whoever holds the high ground has a tactical advantage. Strategies often revolve around that fact.
To my mind, the moon is the ultimate high ground. For what, you skeptics ask? For rendering communication ineffective all over the planet for one thing. For staging EMP attacks if desired. For knocking out with impunity all satellites used for surveillance, weather, communication, defense, and whatever other types of satellites circle the earth—below the moon.
Imagine an attack from the moon that knocked out all the satellite work horses the we and other nations have in play. Talk about blinding your opponent, rendering him impotent. We rely so much today upon satellite technologies and tools. If gone, we might as well be in a 21st Century stone age. But one where the enemy can pick and choose his targets at will.
You might think there is no one with those ambitions. Well, many nations may have those ambitions, but only 1 or 2 have or are developing those capabilities right now that draw my attention.
One is Russia, of course, but they are distracted at the moment. The other is China, and China’s ambitions about the moon are undeniable. I believe they have already uttered their goals about establishing a place on the moon, and getting there ahead of the Americans.
Do they want it for “agriculture?” For “minerals?” For a jumping off place to other parts of our solar system? For communist-held industries? Perhaps. But, primarily, they want it for military purposes. Because dominance there—in my layman’s opinion—ensures dominance in the others.
I used to give China the benefit of the doubt—even did business in China for a while. But once Xi Jinping assumed power, I fear he is returning to the Mao view of the world and world dominance—but with all the new technologies that make a really sinister type of dominance possible. Mao’s mindset was ruthless and cunning. So is Xi Jinping’s.
So for now, I believe the most likely reason we will go to the moon, establish bases, and populate those bases with Space Force personnel and technologies will not be just to be able to get to Mars, not be just to find and perhaps mine minerals for use on Earth, not to quench Man’s thirst for exploration and adventure.
No. It will be, in my opinion, to take and hold the ultimate high ground. Our job is to ensure we create a world down here that will not require us to use that high ground for offensive measures, but rather just for defensive measures.
And here’s a final thought. Our task is to ensure that Man is sane enough to view and use that base, and others to follow in Man’s story, for the good of all. It’s a dream. But it is also imperative for our survival here.
The United States will race to the moon, will race to put bases there. I for one will support it, not only for the dreamy idealistic part of me, but for the practical part of me who understands the consequences of someone else, more malevolent, claiming it first.
Your thoughts?
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