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#matkaplan I want to talk today about an incredible man name Mat Kaplan. I have been a fan of his podcast Planetary Radio for 20 years. He is retiring after an incredible career.
Before I go further with Mat, I need to talk about another man, the late President Richard Nixon. He has a sad place in history. He is hated and reviled by many people. In my mind, his whole life is a sad collection of "what might have beens." He had a brilliant mind and so much to give all of us. His bad character destroyed this potential and the place in history that he should have. Let me give you a couple of examples of the positive things that he accomplished. We are now starting to explore the possibility of giving everyone a guaranteed minimum income. 50 years ago, Nixon implemented an earned income credit. One went out and worked. If they did not reach the minimum income that they needed to survive, the person got a check from the U.S. tax authorities to bring their income up to survival level.
Most of us in the US are covered by Obamacare. Many people love it. 40 years before we had Obamacare, Nixon came up with Nixoncare which was roughly the same thing. The late Senator Ted Kennedy got it defeated. Labor union pressure led him to do this. Years later he would say that it was the worst mistake of his political career.
Unknown to most, Richard Nixon was a painfully shy man. He could not socialize and "make small talk" with people. He sweated profusely and felt great fear before making a speech. Despite these limitations, he was a Master of Television and video media.
Many years ago, Elena and I toured the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, California. It was an awesome and sad experience. One could find things like the space suits of Apollo astronauts. What touched my heart was a 1950 wood-panel Mercury station wagon that Nixon used when campaigning for the U.S. Senate in 1950. He drove around California in this car. He would stop at many different locations. He would stand on the car and give political campaign speeches. I tried to imagine how hard it was for this painfully shy man to do this.
Now please allow me to show you a copy of the retirement message that I sent to Mat Kaplan yesterday:
Dear Matt:
I am haunted by the words of General MacArthur from 1964 as follows:
"Old soldiers never die. They just fade away."
I joined the Planetary Society in 1997 when I was living in a homeless shelter. I was working at an $8.00/ hour exploitation job. You can imagine what a big investment the dues were way back then.
I have listened to you on Planetary Radio for 20 years (with some absences.) You have entertained me. You have enlightened me. You have made me laugh. You have incredible charisma and intelligence. I have met you in person at several Explore Mars events. Please allow me to make a candid comment here. In person, I can detect a shyness and reserve in you. Respectfully I am not comparing you to Richard Nixon. But you two share a trait in common. Both of you are shy men who perform brilliantly when the microphone or camera red light comes on.
An amazing era has come to an end. I feel sad in one respect, and I feel happy in one respect. You are moving on. Sarah is an excellent person to replace you. After ten years or so, she will fill your shoes.
Enjoy the San Diego beaches and be at peace.

All my best!
Ad Astra,

--
Jack Waldbewohner
I expected that Mat might not ever see it as he was inundated with retirement good wishes. I was pleasantly surprised to get a beautiful response from him:

Dear Jack,

Sarah forwarded your wonderful letter to me. I was with my ailing mother when I received it, so she was also able to enjoy my first reading.

Thank you so much for your beautifully-written and very perceptive message. You've got me pegged! My wife confirmed it all, and I don't mind the comparison to Nixon--not for this observation anyway. I'm never happier than when I'm on stage or doing an interview, yet I'm often terribly shy and uneasy in a one-on-one, informal conversation. Oh, well.

As I told Sarah, my shoe size is just 9.5. She is rapidly growing into them.

Now, about your signature block, I must say that's the most impressive collection of telephone numbers I've ever seen. I just glanced through the Waltrade website. You have clearly come a very long way from that shelter. Congratulations on all you've accomplished. I'm very proud to know that you've been accompanied by Planetary Radio and the Society on this personal journey.

I've always loved that Teddy Roosevelt quote. I hope to cross paths with you again soon. Ad Astra!

Mat Kaplan (he/him)
Senior Communications Adviser

The Planetary Society
60 South Los Robles Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101
tel: 626.793.5100
cell: 562.760.4152

Find your place in space.
Join us today at planetary.org

Another wonderful message for you, Mat!

Sarah Al-Ahmed (she/her)
Media Producer
Planetary Radio Host
The Planetary Society
60 South Los Robles Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101
tel: 626.793.5100
Find your place in space.
Join us today at planetary.org