If anything, De Middel says, the extraordinary tale of the forgotten Zambian space program presented a chance to talk about Africa from a different perspective.

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In the space of a few short years, politicians' past failures in office are frequently forgotten by their parties and the public.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Remembering Olmert's true record

Kaplan recognizes the historical cartooning that these essentially forgotten guys were given to, and sees as well the risks of a too neat determinism of space sees it, but does not totally avoid being seduced by it.

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