John Glenn, dead at 95
December 8, 2016 1:11 PM Subscribe
WASHINGTON (AP) — John Glenn, whose 1962 flight as the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the Earth made him an all-American hero and propelled him to a long career in the U.S. Senate, died Thursday. The last survivor of the original Mercury 7 astronauts was 95.
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posted by fimbulvetr at 1:12 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by fimbulvetr at 1:12 PM on December 8, 2016
🚀
posted by fitnr at 1:13 PM on December 8, 2016 [12 favorites]
posted by fitnr at 1:13 PM on December 8, 2016 [12 favorites]
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posted by haiku warrior at 1:13 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by haiku warrior at 1:13 PM on December 8, 2016
Godspeed, John Glenn
posted by Ber at 1:14 PM on December 8, 2016 [20 favorites]
posted by Ber at 1:14 PM on December 8, 2016 [20 favorites]
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posted by skyscraper at 1:15 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by skyscraper at 1:15 PM on December 8, 2016
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Also: fuck 2016, haven't you done enough damage already? Go home and leave us be!
posted by Alterscape at 1:18 PM on December 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
Also: fuck 2016, haven't you done enough damage already? Go home and leave us be!
posted by Alterscape at 1:18 PM on December 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
The New York Times obit.
Mr. Glenn said he liked the book [The Right Stuff] but not the 1983 movie based on it, in which he was portrayed by Ed Harris. “Most of his account was reasonably factual, although I was neither the pious saint nor the other guys the hellions he made them into,” he told Life magazine in 1998. “Hollywood made a charade out of the story and caricatures out of the people in it.”
posted by vibrotronica at 1:18 PM on December 8, 2016 [9 favorites]
Mr. Glenn said he liked the book [The Right Stuff] but not the 1983 movie based on it, in which he was portrayed by Ed Harris. “Most of his account was reasonably factual, although I was neither the pious saint nor the other guys the hellions he made them into,” he told Life magazine in 1998. “Hollywood made a charade out of the story and caricatures out of the people in it.”
posted by vibrotronica at 1:18 PM on December 8, 2016 [9 favorites]
🚀
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 1:18 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 1:18 PM on December 8, 2016
The last of the Mercury 7. He also got to ride a Shuttle.
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posted by bondcliff at 1:20 PM on December 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
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posted by bondcliff at 1:20 PM on December 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
John Glenn lived a long and remarkable life of service to the United States of America. We are unlikely to see his like again.
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:22 PM on December 8, 2016 [35 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:22 PM on December 8, 2016 [35 favorites]
Not called "Senator" John Glenn because that was not actually the coolest thing he'd done.
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posted by Bee'sWing at 1:22 PM on December 8, 2016 [41 favorites]
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posted by Bee'sWing at 1:22 PM on December 8, 2016 [41 favorites]
John Glenn lived to be 95. It's a bummer to lose him, even so, but I don't think the story is 2016 being shitty again, so much as it is "at least this legend got to lead a full, long life."
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:24 PM on December 8, 2016 [24 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:24 PM on December 8, 2016 [24 favorites]
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He has slipped the surly bonds of Earth for the final time.
95 years--that's a pretty good run.
posted by BlueHorse at 1:25 PM on December 8, 2016 [5 favorites]
He has slipped the surly bonds of Earth for the final time.
95 years--that's a pretty good run.
posted by BlueHorse at 1:25 PM on December 8, 2016 [5 favorites]
Living to 95 is remarkable, regardless of personal achievement.
godspeed
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posted by ZeusHumms at 1:26 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
godspeed
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posted by ZeusHumms at 1:26 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
Agreed, DirtyOldTown. Also, I'd think it would be a blessing to go out at the end of a long, full, productive life without seeing what the next President brings us.
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posted by Mooski at 1:26 PM on December 8, 2016 [18 favorites]
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posted by Mooski at 1:26 PM on December 8, 2016 [18 favorites]
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posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:28 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:28 PM on December 8, 2016
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posted by Smart Dalek at 1:28 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by Smart Dalek at 1:28 PM on December 8, 2016
“Most of his account was reasonably factual, although I was neither the pious saint nor the other guys the hellions he made them into,”
My dad flew for the U.S. Air Force. The gents from The Right Stuff were his heroes. Among his circle of friends it was generally believed from Air Force scuttlebutt that Glenn was considerably more pious and the other guys considerably greater hell raisers than they were portrayed in the book or the movie. His admiration for the whole lot of them knew no bounds and that rubbed off on me. Glenn wasn't perfect - no human is - but he aimed for perfection in what he did and occasionally succeeded. I am glad I got to live while he was alive.
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:28 PM on December 8, 2016 [10 favorites]
My dad flew for the U.S. Air Force. The gents from The Right Stuff were his heroes. Among his circle of friends it was generally believed from Air Force scuttlebutt that Glenn was considerably more pious and the other guys considerably greater hell raisers than they were portrayed in the book or the movie. His admiration for the whole lot of them knew no bounds and that rubbed off on me. Glenn wasn't perfect - no human is - but he aimed for perfection in what he did and occasionally succeeded. I am glad I got to live while he was alive.
posted by Joey Michaels at 1:28 PM on December 8, 2016 [10 favorites]
The man lived a full life, served his country repeatedly and well, and was respected for his deeds and accomplishments. That's a damn good run. Godspeed, sir!
By the way (and in case anyone was wondering), Chuck Yeager is still alive and kicking at 93.
posted by mosk at 1:29 PM on December 8, 2016 [18 favorites]
By the way (and in case anyone was wondering), Chuck Yeager is still alive and kicking at 93.
posted by mosk at 1:29 PM on December 8, 2016 [18 favorites]
Living to 95 is even more remarkable when you consider his personal achievements.
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And I blame John McCain for leading him astray on that whole Keating 5 thing.
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:30 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
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And I blame John McCain for leading him astray on that whole Keating 5 thing.
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:30 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm amazed at how transparent Glenn was about just wanting to outlive my cat.
But then, I'm also amazed at how transparent my cat was about just wanting to outlive Fidel Castro.
posted by the phlegmatic king at 1:30 PM on December 8, 2016 [10 favorites]
But then, I'm also amazed at how transparent my cat was about just wanting to outlive Fidel Castro.
posted by the phlegmatic king at 1:30 PM on December 8, 2016 [10 favorites]
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And can we just drop this whole 2016 thing... It's just an number... it doesn't control anything...
posted by Pendragon at 1:31 PM on December 8, 2016 [5 favorites]
And can we just drop this whole 2016 thing... It's just an number... it doesn't control anything...
posted by Pendragon at 1:31 PM on December 8, 2016 [5 favorites]
Godspeed.
posted by the painkiller at 1:32 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by the painkiller at 1:32 PM on December 8, 2016
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posted by comealongpole at 1:36 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by comealongpole at 1:36 PM on December 8, 2016
Thank you for everything, sir!
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posted by Hermione Granger at 1:37 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by Hermione Granger at 1:37 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by Bringer Tom at 1:37 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Bringer Tom at 1:37 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
And can we just drop this whole 2016 thing... It's just an number... it doesn't control anything...
Another number — how many remarkable people are dying in 2016 — keeps going up.
💫🌎🌍🌏
posted by Celsius1414 at 1:39 PM on December 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
Another number — how many remarkable people are dying in 2016 — keeps going up.
💫🌎🌍🌏
posted by Celsius1414 at 1:39 PM on December 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
🌟
95 is a good long run.
And, the dude went to space at 77 years old. That's a role model.
posted by DigDoug at 1:39 PM on December 8, 2016 [6 favorites]
95 is a good long run.
And, the dude went to space at 77 years old. That's a role model.
posted by DigDoug at 1:39 PM on December 8, 2016 [6 favorites]
Supposedly it was made clear to John Glenn that he wouldn't get another spaceflight. Since he was BIG national hero, NASA and others didn't want to risk losing him with another space flight (something happened to Armstrong after landing on the Moon).
So he became a Senator and decades later basically muscled his way into another flight, this time on the Shuttle. This wasn't the sole reason for him going into politics, but darn if it didn't prove useful later on.
No idea how true the story is, but I like the thought of it.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:40 PM on December 8, 2016 [4 favorites]
So he became a Senator and decades later basically muscled his way into another flight, this time on the Shuttle. This wasn't the sole reason for him going into politics, but darn if it didn't prove useful later on.
No idea how true the story is, but I like the thought of it.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:40 PM on December 8, 2016 [4 favorites]
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posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 1:41 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 1:41 PM on December 8, 2016
I met him once several years ago when my grandmother called my dad and said "I'm at the gym and, um, John Glenn is here." I didn't quite believe it (it was small town MN) but we ran over and there he was. He was in town visiting family. We said Hi briefly and he was incredibly nice and warm in the 5 minutes we bothered him. Sometimes it's ok to meet your heroes because they turn out to be just what you hope. My grandmother who still works out at that gym in her mid eighties and called excitedly when she saw John Glenn is another such hero.
95 is a great run. Godspeed, sir.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 1:41 PM on December 8, 2016 [21 favorites]
95 is a great run. Godspeed, sir.
posted by Clinging to the Wreckage at 1:41 PM on December 8, 2016 [21 favorites]
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posted by JohnFromGR at 1:43 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by JohnFromGR at 1:43 PM on December 8, 2016
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posted by Foci for Analysis at 1:46 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by Foci for Analysis at 1:46 PM on December 8, 2016
I just mentioned this to my co-workers and they had no idea who he was. Sigh.
posted by octothorpe at 1:46 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by octothorpe at 1:46 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
Another number — how many remarkable people are dying in 2016 — keeps going up.
Well, it would be strange if it would go down, don't you think ?
posted by Pendragon at 1:51 PM on December 8, 2016 [11 favorites]
Well, it would be strange if it would go down, don't you think ?
posted by Pendragon at 1:51 PM on December 8, 2016 [11 favorites]
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posted by Flippervault at 1:53 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by Flippervault at 1:53 PM on December 8, 2016
I have lots of mixed feelings about John Glenn. He was a hero of mine until I found out how determined he was to keep women out of NASA and the astronaut training program. He testified at a meeting of the House Committee on Science and Astronautics in the 1960s which kept women out of the program for 20+ years. ... Still, respect for his other accomplishments.
posted by pjsky at 1:54 PM on December 8, 2016 [15 favorites]
posted by pjsky at 1:54 PM on December 8, 2016 [15 favorites]
Can't be too surprised at a 95 year old dying, but it is definitely the end of an era. I grew up in the sixties, and some of my earliest memories are gathering around our little black and white TV to watch Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo launches. Every manned launch was a big deal back then, but we were all sure that by the 21st century space travel would be routine, much as portrayed in 2001. Too bad he never saw that future. Then again, he may have appreciated more than most just how hard manned space flight is. Now all of the Mercury astronauts are gone, and the Apollo astronauts are all in their 80s. I feel like a big part of my childhood is slipping away, and we will never see the likes of those men again.
posted by TedW at 1:56 PM on December 8, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by TedW at 1:56 PM on December 8, 2016 [4 favorites]
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(Reading his obit, the Keating 5 stuff feels so damn quaint now.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 2:00 PM on December 8, 2016
(Reading his obit, the Keating 5 stuff feels so damn quaint now.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 2:00 PM on December 8, 2016
Damn, what a person!
The Incomparable Podcast just did an episode about The Right Stuff that may interest some of you.
posted by wenestvedt at 2:08 PM on December 8, 2016
The Incomparable Podcast just did an episode about The Right Stuff that may interest some of you.
posted by wenestvedt at 2:08 PM on December 8, 2016
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I did a history project in fourth grade about him. We all dressed up as our historical Americans and gave a presentation in the first person. I lived in Alaska so of course I used a snow machine helmet for a space helmet. :)
posted by Gymnopedist at 2:09 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
I did a history project in fourth grade about him. We all dressed up as our historical Americans and gave a presentation in the first person. I lived in Alaska so of course I used a snow machine helmet for a space helmet. :)
posted by Gymnopedist at 2:09 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
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posted by Darken Skye at 2:09 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by Darken Skye at 2:09 PM on December 8, 2016
Glenn attended a showing of 2001 newly printed for the Academy of Motion Pictures a few years back. His presence added an additional layer of irony to the ending sequence of the film.
posted by effluvia at 2:10 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by effluvia at 2:10 PM on December 8, 2016
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He spoke at my High School back when he was running for President.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 2:12 PM on December 8, 2016
He spoke at my High School back when he was running for President.
posted by Confess, Fletch at 2:12 PM on December 8, 2016
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posted by Silverstone at 2:18 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by Silverstone at 2:18 PM on December 8, 2016
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posted by oceanjesse at 2:18 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by oceanjesse at 2:18 PM on December 8, 2016
I just wanted to say good luck sir, we're counting on you.
posted by chavenet at 2:18 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by chavenet at 2:18 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
I wonder if he's going to send his ashes into space. Of all the people who choose that, I think he would be the most appropriate.
posted by LizBoBiz at 2:20 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by LizBoBiz at 2:20 PM on December 8, 2016
"Zero G, and I feel fine." -- John Glenn's first words on becoming weightless upon reaching orbit
I'm not even sad. He'd been married to Annie, his childhood sweetheart, since 1943 and they met when they were toddlers. They had two kids and two grandkids. He flew 59 combat missions in World War II and 63 in the Korean War (where he earned the nickname "Magnet Ass"). Ted Williams was his wingman. He flew the first supersonic transcontinental flight in 3 hours and 23 minutes in Project Bullet. He was first American to orbit the Earth and became the oldest person to fly in space when he flew on the motherfucking Space Shuttle at 77. Ed Harris played him in The Right Stuff. He served as a Senator for 25 years. He died at 95 freaking years old. That is a hell of a run.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:28 PM on December 8, 2016 [34 favorites]
I'm not even sad. He'd been married to Annie, his childhood sweetheart, since 1943 and they met when they were toddlers. They had two kids and two grandkids. He flew 59 combat missions in World War II and 63 in the Korean War (where he earned the nickname "Magnet Ass"). Ted Williams was his wingman. He flew the first supersonic transcontinental flight in 3 hours and 23 minutes in Project Bullet. He was first American to orbit the Earth and became the oldest person to fly in space when he flew on the motherfucking Space Shuttle at 77. Ed Harris played him in The Right Stuff. He served as a Senator for 25 years. He died at 95 freaking years old. That is a hell of a run.
posted by kirkaracha at 2:28 PM on December 8, 2016 [34 favorites]
Time to watch the right stuff again.
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posted by cmfletcher at 2:29 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
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posted by cmfletcher at 2:29 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
According to Wikipedia, he was the oldest currently living US Senator until his passing.
posted by ZeusHumms at 2:31 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by ZeusHumms at 2:31 PM on December 8, 2016
I remember seeing him once in a hotel in DC many years ago when he was still in the Senate. I was probably 9 or 10 at the time and remember being awestruck at seeing him in person - I was enamored with the space program as a kid (still am now).
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posted by photo guy at 2:31 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
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posted by photo guy at 2:31 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
In 1984 I wanted to vote for him as the Democratic candidate for President (which I figured would be a shoe-in). Unfortunately, instead, the Democrats chose Fritz, and the electorate ultimately found Ronnie more palatable.
posted by Rash at 2:34 PM on December 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Rash at 2:34 PM on December 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
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posted by tobascodagama at 2:36 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by tobascodagama at 2:36 PM on December 8, 2016
I saw him in his NYC ticker tape parade in 1962. From a distance, but not the kind of distances they have in space.
posted by Obscure Reference at 2:45 PM on December 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by Obscure Reference at 2:45 PM on December 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
No obits, just orbits.
posted by GenjiandProust at 2:55 PM on December 8, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 2:55 PM on December 8, 2016 [6 favorites]
My true boyhood hero. Not ashamed to say I've en wiping tears away as my flight boards. I'll be oking st the stars as always. Maybe I'll see him up there today.
posted by chasles at 2:59 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by chasles at 2:59 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
Boy, 2016 is determined to go out with a bang, isn't it?!?
Mr. Glenn was 95, so I can't claim he was taken too early; he was a success as a Marine fighter pilot, a test pilot, an astronaut, a teacher, a statesman and so much more. Still, it's hard to see one of my greatest childhood heroes be proven as mortal as anyone else. Godspeed, Mr. Glenn.
🚀🌎
posted by easily confused at 3:01 PM on December 8, 2016 [4 favorites]
Mr. Glenn was 95, so I can't claim he was taken too early; he was a success as a Marine fighter pilot, a test pilot, an astronaut, a teacher, a statesman and so much more. Still, it's hard to see one of my greatest childhood heroes be proven as mortal as anyone else. Godspeed, Mr. Glenn.
🚀🌎
posted by easily confused at 3:01 PM on December 8, 2016 [4 favorites]
✷
posted by kimberussell at 3:23 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by kimberussell at 3:23 PM on December 8, 2016
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of --Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew --
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
--- High Flight by John Magee
posted by SPrintF at 3:28 PM on December 8, 2016 [26 favorites]
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of --Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew --
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
--- High Flight by John Magee
posted by SPrintF at 3:28 PM on December 8, 2016 [26 favorites]
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posted by oneironaut at 3:33 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by oneironaut at 3:33 PM on December 8, 2016
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And: One of the better attempts to recreate Freedom 7 in KSP (including some non-Kerbal history).
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 3:38 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
And: One of the better attempts to recreate Freedom 7 in KSP (including some non-Kerbal history).
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 3:38 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by Kevin Street at 3:41 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by Kevin Street at 3:41 PM on December 8, 2016
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posted by RolandOfEld at 3:42 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by RolandOfEld at 3:42 PM on December 8, 2016
John Glenn's 2008 endorsement of Hillary Clinton.
A lifetime of greatness, thank you.
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posted by Mike Mongo at 3:45 PM on December 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
A lifetime of greatness, thank you.
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posted by Mike Mongo at 3:45 PM on December 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
A combination of SPrintF's poetic choice and the fact I did too much JRR in my youth leave me contemplating "John Glenn he was a mariner..." pace Tolkien's Earendil, but I lack the skills.
posted by comealongpole at 4:00 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by comealongpole at 4:00 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by JoeXIII007 at 4:03 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by JoeXIII007 at 4:03 PM on December 8, 2016
I am stunned lately by how quickly the twentieth century is receding in my rearview mirror.
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posted by kinnakeet at 4:05 PM on December 8, 2016 [8 favorites]
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posted by kinnakeet at 4:05 PM on December 8, 2016 [8 favorites]
A life lived beyond that of many. Godspeed.
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posted by Malingering Hector at 4:09 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by Malingering Hector at 4:09 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
1962 Newsreel of John Glenn's flight
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:12 PM on December 8, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:12 PM on December 8, 2016 [4 favorites]
Fair winds and following seas.
posted by ridgerunner at 4:14 PM on December 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by ridgerunner at 4:14 PM on December 8, 2016 [3 favorites]
What with all the incredibly good people passing away in 2016 and Trump being elected I am just about convinced this is the actual Rapture - just in very slow motion. Don't know about anyone else but I'm getting my 666 tattoo this week and avoid the rush.
posted by AGameOfMoans at 4:30 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by AGameOfMoans at 4:30 PM on December 8, 2016
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posted by spheniscus at 4:33 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by spheniscus at 4:33 PM on December 8, 2016
He could be the manliest man who ever manned except for maybe Chuck Yeager, who broke the sound barrier with broken ribs and whose face was on fire after he lost control of his NF-104, which was an F-104 with a rocket engine mounted over the tailpipe, at 104,000 feet (aka 20 miles).
posted by kirkaracha at 4:40 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by kirkaracha at 4:40 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
• 🚀 He will be missed!
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 4:43 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 4:43 PM on December 8, 2016
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posted by brambleboy at 5:06 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by brambleboy at 5:06 PM on December 8, 2016
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posted by weathergal at 5:09 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by weathergal at 5:09 PM on December 8, 2016
My sympathies Annie; 🚀 - .
posted by fluffycreature at 5:45 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by fluffycreature at 5:45 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
God, I didn't realize Glenn was the last surviving of member of the Mercury 7. End of an era.
posted by midmarch snowman at 5:47 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by midmarch snowman at 5:47 PM on December 8, 2016
NASA info
NASA image archive searching on Glenn
Charlie Rose interview
1998 Audio interview at Kennedy Library
posted by fluffycreature at 5:50 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
NASA image archive searching on Glenn
Charlie Rose interview
1998 Audio interview at Kennedy Library
posted by fluffycreature at 5:50 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
We all had our transistor radios tuned to the same station. We listened to everything from launch, to re-entry, to recovery. The only other time we could bring our radios to school was for the World Series. After he was safely back we turned off our radios and went to recess...
posted by jim in austin at 7:09 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by jim in austin at 7:09 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
In the words of Walter Cronkite, "Go, baby!"
.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:39 PM on December 8, 2016
.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:39 PM on December 8, 2016
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posted by Fibognocchi at 7:55 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by Fibognocchi at 7:55 PM on December 8, 2016
🌞 🌎.posted by ardgedee at 8:29 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
Annie Glenn dodging press in The Right Stuff
(If you google "Annie Glenn" Google suggests "age" "speech" "the right stuff" and "ham loaf.")
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:42 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
(If you google "Annie Glenn" Google suggests "age" "speech" "the right stuff" and "ham loaf.")
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:42 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]
The green-eyed, telegenic Marine even won $25,000 on the game show "Name That Tune" with a 10-year-old partner.
All that history making plus he was a Name That Tune winner? Damn!
That he fought against women at NASA back in the day totally sucks but isn't especially surprising given the era. Hope his endorsement of Hillary in 2008 meant he'd truly come around. Can't even imagine a 70-year marriage, never mind the rest of his biography. Now I'm super curious about his wife's life.
Happy trails, John Glenn!
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posted by Bella Donna at 9:34 PM on December 8, 2016
All that history making plus he was a Name That Tune winner? Damn!
That he fought against women at NASA back in the day totally sucks but isn't especially surprising given the era. Hope his endorsement of Hillary in 2008 meant he'd truly come around. Can't even imagine a 70-year marriage, never mind the rest of his biography. Now I'm super curious about his wife's life.
Happy trails, John Glenn!
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posted by Bella Donna at 9:34 PM on December 8, 2016
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posted by Standard Orange at 10:36 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by Standard Orange at 10:36 PM on December 8, 2016
I first 'got to know' John Glenn as a common wrong answer to the first man* in space trivia question - and I'd get the points for knowing Yuri Gargarin. (JG is the first American in space.) I remember loudly correcting this during a quiz and being frustrated when they decided to give points for both answers.
1921-2016 - a really good run, especially when you see that Yuri was 1934-1968.
*first man in space would be how this question was phrased- I would say person or human now.
posted by freethefeet at 11:01 PM on December 8, 2016
1921-2016 - a really good run, especially when you see that Yuri was 1934-1968.
*first man in space would be how this question was phrased- I would say person or human now.
posted by freethefeet at 11:01 PM on December 8, 2016
first man in space would be how this question was phrased
First free man in space according to The Right Stuff.
Annie Glenn dodging press in The Right Stuff
Gladiolas!
Mary Jo Deschanel played her in The Right Stuff. She's probably best known as Emily and Zooey's mom.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:04 PM on December 8, 2016 [1 favorite]
🚀 Legend.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 11:34 PM on December 8, 2016
posted by inflatablekiwi at 11:34 PM on December 8, 2016
"Now I'm super curious about his wife's life."
They've been in love since they were literal babies whose parents were friends and plopped them in the playpen together, but she's said she married him because he was the only person who never interrupted her or finished sentences for her.
She's really brave and really determined, to follow her husband into public life and keep attacking her stutter for so many years, and then to spend decades making public speeches for children and adults with disabilities.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 12:08 AM on December 9, 2016 [8 favorites]
They've been in love since they were literal babies whose parents were friends and plopped them in the playpen together, but she's said she married him because he was the only person who never interrupted her or finished sentences for her.
She's really brave and really determined, to follow her husband into public life and keep attacking her stutter for so many years, and then to spend decades making public speeches for children and adults with disabilities.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 12:08 AM on December 9, 2016 [8 favorites]
JG is the first American in space
No, he's the first to orbit the earth. Two Americans had sub-orbital flights in 1961. Alan Sheperd was the first American in space, about 3 weeks after Yuri.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:25 AM on December 9, 2016 [6 favorites]
No, he's the first to orbit the earth. Two Americans had sub-orbital flights in 1961. Alan Sheperd was the first American in space, about 3 weeks after Yuri.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:25 AM on December 9, 2016 [6 favorites]
.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:08 AM on December 9, 2016
posted by TWinbrook8 at 1:08 AM on December 9, 2016
Chuck Yeager's still alive. Not an astronaut, but still.
posted by Beholder at 3:38 AM on December 9, 2016
posted by Beholder at 3:38 AM on December 9, 2016
Chuck didn't have a college education, so didn't qualify.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:05 AM on December 9, 2016
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:05 AM on December 9, 2016
This reminds me of my favorite John Glenn story.
In 1979, a man named Joe Newman invented something that he claimed was a free energy device. He applied for a patent, and was denied. Not satisfied, he took the case to court. The court promptly ruled ruled in favor of the Patent Office. Not one to be so easily discouraged, Newman tried a congressional end-around. He demonstrated his machine to Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) by spinning a fan with it; Cochran and Trent Lott then introduced a bill to the Senate which would require the Patent Office to issue a patent for Newman's invention. A similar bill was introduced in the House by Representative Thomas Kindness (R-OH).
Newman appeared for a hearing on the proposed Senate bill before the Energy subcommittee of the Senate's Governmental Affairs committee. Unfortunately for Newman, one of the senators on the subcommittee was John Glenn (D-OH). "It's a simple enough problem," Glenn said to Newman. "You measure the input and you measure the output and you see which is larger." Glenn then asked Newman what lab he wanted to use to do such measurements. Newman responded that he objected to any such tests, because they would be an insult to all the scientists who were already convinced of his machine's efficacy. The bill died in subcommittee.
Godspeed, sir.
posted by Mayor West at 4:42 AM on December 9, 2016 [8 favorites]
In 1979, a man named Joe Newman invented something that he claimed was a free energy device. He applied for a patent, and was denied. Not satisfied, he took the case to court. The court promptly ruled ruled in favor of the Patent Office. Not one to be so easily discouraged, Newman tried a congressional end-around. He demonstrated his machine to Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) by spinning a fan with it; Cochran and Trent Lott then introduced a bill to the Senate which would require the Patent Office to issue a patent for Newman's invention. A similar bill was introduced in the House by Representative Thomas Kindness (R-OH).
Newman appeared for a hearing on the proposed Senate bill before the Energy subcommittee of the Senate's Governmental Affairs committee. Unfortunately for Newman, one of the senators on the subcommittee was John Glenn (D-OH). "It's a simple enough problem," Glenn said to Newman. "You measure the input and you measure the output and you see which is larger." Glenn then asked Newman what lab he wanted to use to do such measurements. Newman responded that he objected to any such tests, because they would be an insult to all the scientists who were already convinced of his machine's efficacy. The bill died in subcommittee.
Godspeed, sir.
posted by Mayor West at 4:42 AM on December 9, 2016 [8 favorites]
Five Distinguished Flying Crosses, and that's only a fraction of his career. Growing up I heard a fair bit of Chuck Yeager hagiography (albeit entirely deserved), but only a bit about John Glenn. More would have been appropriate.
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posted by iffthen at 5:30 AM on December 9, 2016
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posted by iffthen at 5:30 AM on December 9, 2016
One of the last truly great Americans. I was sad to learn of his sexist past from a Facebook friend who posted with much vitriol about his inflammatory 1998 remarks about women in NASA. She claimed he never repented; I've been desperately searching for evidence he did at some point in the last 18 years.
posted by DrAstroZoom at 6:22 AM on December 9, 2016
posted by DrAstroZoom at 6:22 AM on December 9, 2016
WaPo has a touching article about his relationship with Annie: Annie Glenn: ‘When I called John, he cried. People just couldn’t believe that I could really talk.’
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:23 AM on December 9, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:23 AM on December 9, 2016 [5 favorites]
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posted by JoJoPotato at 9:30 AM on December 9, 2016
posted by JoJoPotato at 9:30 AM on December 9, 2016
"And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
til touchdown brings me back here to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh no no no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man, burning out his fuse up here alone..."
RIP, you great big inspiration to decades of Americans, you!
♥
posted by Lynsey at 9:41 AM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
til touchdown brings me back here to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh no no no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man, burning out his fuse up here alone..."
RIP, you great big inspiration to decades of Americans, you!
♥
posted by Lynsey at 9:41 AM on December 9, 2016 [2 favorites]
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posted by Slithy_Tove at 10:10 AM on December 9, 2016
posted by Slithy_Tove at 10:10 AM on December 9, 2016
.
posted by Token Meme at 9:22 AM on December 10, 2016
posted by Token Meme at 9:22 AM on December 10, 2016
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posted by bz at 1:12 PM on December 8, 2016 [2 favorites]