Major Matt Mason We Need You!

Mattel's Major Matt Mason - An American Hero

One of the coolest things about growing up in the 1960s, and 1970s is that there was a future being promised to all the children of that period. We were all going to have an opportunity to explore space when we grew up. By the year 2000 there were definitely going to be colonies on the Moon, and Mars, as well as space stations.

Toys such as Major Matt Mason (and the many toys which could be purchased for him), and GI Joe's space exploration series convinced me that I would one day be an astronaut.

From fireworks, to water powered rockets, to various space related toys - all confirmed that we were headed to an exciting future.


Major Matt Mason - A Toy With A Promise

And of course the rush to the Moon landing simply confirmed the obvious - America was destined to lead. Somehow that promised future was never to be, and it looks as if the next explorers on the Moon may in fact be Chinese.


Major Matt Mason Vintage Space Toy Video

Today we make no promises to our children about the future. I guess it's for the best. The American Century has ended with the U.S. being caught up in a quagmire in the Middle East, and corrupt, and inept (in fact traitorous) "leadership" in Washington.

While I'm not mindlessly supportive of manned space exploration, as I once was, I do see how America seems to need an organizing principle - so why not. It must be better than the alternative.