SOME GOOD NEWS: Chinese Astronaut Makes Nation’s First Spacewalk. “A Chinese astronaut orbiting the earth slipped out of the Shenzhou VII spacecraft Saturday afternoon and performed the nation’s first spacewalk, establishing another milestone in China’s space program.”

Congratulations to the Chinese. And for those Americans who point out that the Chinese are just now doing what we did over 40 years ago, I’ll offer this counterpoint: The Chinese are moving forward, while we are — at most charitable — basically standing still.

UPDATE: Reader Ryan Howley writes:

Just wanted to add a bit to idea that they’re moving forward, while we’re doing …. whatever. I currently live in Beijing, and there is a lot of excitement here among the population. That can’t hurt going forward. While watching the live launch, my pulse was racing. It’s exciting to see, and wonderful watching humans pursuing their insatiable desire for knowledge and exploration.

I mentioned to a friend back home the spacewalk today and said it will be embarrassing when they pass us. His response was “really, though, what is there left to do?” With that attitude among our citizens, it’ll only be a matter of time before China does surpass us. I hope this can get our (friendly) competitive juices flowing once again, though.

China doesn’t have an intellectual class that views real-world accomplishment, or expansion — or, basically, its own civilization — as inherently suspect. That makes things a bit easier, I suspect.