Is This Really the Way to Celebrate Sputnik?

Ronald Bailey | October 4, 2007

Over breakfast my wife noted that the Washington Post's Shopper column was devoted to "Sputnik Chic" to commemorate the launch of the world's first artificial satellite 50 years ago. The Shopper directed readers to various sources for purchasing chandeliers, jewelry and so forth mimicking the early Space Age sheen of the little satellite that could (and did scare the bejesus out of Americans).

Among the items (for only $50) is a red lucite charm of the Soviet Union's hammer and sickle that one can hang around one's neck.

I know we've visited this topic before, but I still think that is the moral equivalent of selling a Nazi Hakenkreuz (swastika) charm.