Collins took over at a very difficult time . The Vietnam War was going badly , and the invasion of Cambodia and the Kent State shootings had triggered a wave of protests and unrest across the country . He had no illusions about his ability to change minds , but attempted to engage with the public all the same , playing on his Apollo 11 fame . He attributed part of the nation 's problems to insularity . In a 1970 commencement speech at Saint Michael 's College in Vermont , he told his audience that " Farmers speak to farmers , students to students , business leaders to other business leaders , but this intramural talk serves mainly to mirror one 's beliefs , to reinforce existing prejudices , to lock out opposing views "
Kent State shootings
Kent State shootings
Michael Collins (astronaut)