Some revered him as a hero for potentially saving millions of American lives. Others called him the “world’s greatest killer.”

Whatever you believe and whichever side you’re on, a piece of history is gone.

Remember, kick back and watch the launch in style. I plan on it — I love this stuff. And I know George Bush does.

Oh, by the way, did you know NASA just announced plans to establish a permanent base on the moon? Ah, yeah. (For $17 billion a year, you can have your own moon base, too!) And they’ve got a whole slew of new spaceships to help ‘em do it.

This is a colossal moment in this nation’s history. In 1967, the U.S. population was a mere 200 million and it’s only taken 39 years to reach a third of a billion. CNN, the New York Times, and many other prominent news agencies published editorials discussing the growing population and the shrinking landscape all asking one simple question: where is everyone going to fit? Like many, I certainly don’t have the answer, but some of that wide-open farm land in the west is looking mighty tasty.

In today’s world there’s living and dying. And, for some, it’s not all it should be. See below in this edition of Monday’s links:

This American Life: Then & Now

By the numbers, with pictures. CNN.com

Bono launches U.S. Red campaign for AIDS in Africa

Red iPods, cell phones, t-shirts, shoes and more. All for the fight against AIDS.

To Be Married Means to Be Outnumbered

I’m married, and I love it. But for the first time ever, us folks who are hitched are in the minority.

A Soldier comes home, too early yet too late

The war in Iraq reaches all the way to the farthest stretches of the U.S., in Barrow, Alaska

Born from her passion for stopping moments in time and capturing them on film, Jude’s new business specializes in wedding photography in and around Charleston, as well as traveling to destination weddings around the world. Her services also include engagement shoots, and family and individual portraits.

C’mon, put your party hat on, and join in the fun. Check out www.judehealeyphotography.com today.

As for me, I’m watching NASA TV.

If you’re a Boston sports fan, you’ve gotta take 10 minutes and read this. Edge: Bill Simmons.

New York. 1883. The Brooklyn Bridge opened and immediately hailed as The Eighth Wonder of the World.

So, what makes something wonderful? Is it in the eye of the beholder, or the creator, or is it just so? The ice cream cone was invented on this day in 1904. To me, that’s pretty wonderful. My wife’s laughing at me. “C’mon though, that’s just an ice cream cone”, she says. I’m fairly sure that had Charles E. Menches never thought of it, someone would have. But what for the things in this world that everyone sees as wonderful?

Wikipedia has a great write-up on The Seven Wonders of the World. The ancient, modern, technological, underwater, and natural wonders are all covered. Of the items that made the lists, which have you seen? And do you think they’re worthy? Cast your vote to weigh in.

My wife and I have been very lucky to have been able to visit some of the places on the handful of Seven Wonders lists, and I gotta tell you, they’re really something. We’ve stood alongside the edge of the Zambezi River as its waters roared over Victoria Falls (and even chanced our lives rafting the most dangerous rapids in the world). Not a rain cloud in sight, but a slicker very much required. We’ve raced through the English Channel Chunnel on the Eurostar a few times—London, Paris; Paris, London. I’ve climbed to the top of the Empire State Building for a great view of the second greatest city in the world (sorry NYers, I was born in Boston). We’ll cross the Golden Gate Bridge this year November, and aim to knock a few more off the list before we call it quits.

But I can’t help think of the places we’ve traveled to which aren’t on any wonders lists, and maybe should be. I’ve stood inside the Sistine Chapel and stared at the ceiling so long my neck hurt. I’ve hopped out on a few rocks at the southern-most tip of the African continent soaking my feet in the water where the Indian meets the Atlantic. I’ve seen a bull fight in Madrid, drank warm whisky in freezing Scotland, covered my eyes in Amsterdam’s Red Light District, spent a day at Ikea in Quebec, walked The Louvre end-to-end, drove across the highest paved road in Colorado’s Rockies, and seen the world’s largest clock face in Zurich. I’m very fortunate to say the list goes on. But of these few, I certainly consider them wonders in their own right. And my list is growing longer everyday. Should some of these be “wonders”? Maybe just for the two of us. Maybe for others as well. I was thrilled to see the New 7 Wonders organization holding an open vote on the topic. Now our wonders have the chance to become wonders for others.

I wonder if Washington Roebling thought his Brooklyn Bridge—”the 8th wonder of the world”—would be outdone by this long list of other bridges? Because they’re pretty wonderful—especially the Millau Viaduct in France.

This is the 204th day of 2006, and there are 161 days left in the year. What else happened today?

So, take a few minutes and poke around. You’ll find articles written often daily, photography, details about my freelance work, and a list of some pretty amazing things. I hope you enjoy your stay, come back often, and feel free to comment on any articles.