DEAN PHILLIPS

Ambler, Pa.

I’ve been suffering from a kind of PTSD from the MAGA threat to freedom, civil rights, Democracy and the planet itself, but I occasionally see hope for the future.

I was moved to tears when I heard NASA Astronaut Reid Wiseman talking about the diverse Artemis crew for the impending moon launch, the first step in 20 years toward a voyage to Mars.

Imagine humans on Mars in 20 years!

I’m a lawyer, not a scientist, so the idea that some folks among us have the ingenuity, imagination, courage, work ethic and can-do spirit to explore the universe boggles my mind. These modern-day explorers are, paraphrasing Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, boldly going where none have gone before.

Back on Planet Earth, where we seem to be devolving rather than evolving: We treat this planet, and each other, like there’s no tomorrow. I hope (against hope) that our political leaders figure out how to get past petty politics and pursuit of power, to inspire and unify the body politic. It’s past time to apply whatever skills they actually have to solving daunting problems on earth.

If they can’t do that, it’s time to send them packing to make way for representatives who can get the job done.

It’s up to each and everyone of us to demand that of our leaders.

Otherwise, we’ll have humans on Mars, but we’ll be living here on a dystopian planet.