Parker.es@XEROX.COM (James Parker) (01/30/86)
When I first heard the news yesterday morning here at work, I was shocked. When I saw the videotape last night, I just cryed. Yes, I know that everything has some risk associated with it, and that exploring any new frontier is definitely risky. From time to time, you will lose people. We know that, still, it isn't pleasant when it happens. But we must go on. I've had many close brushes with death, who hasn't? Someday, I know I won't walk away from an accident, but I don't let it scare me. I'll change my lifestyle when death collects. The astronauts knew the risks and the rewards of what they were doing. They faced the risks like real men & real women. They were after the rewards despite the risks. And unfortunately, they lost the gamble this time. But they were doing something significant with their lives. We should remember that, - and them - and go on. There are plenty of qualified people who would be willing to fly the next shuttle - if and when the bean counters, beaurocrats, cowards, & anti-space people will ever let them. Keep in mind that we've had airplanes for eighty years now, and we still lose one occasionally. Airplanes are a more mature technology because they have been built by the thousands for decades. After we've built hundreds of earth-to-orbit -- orbit-to-earth shuttles for decades, they will be as safe as todays airplanes. But now, they aren't. They can't be. But that's no excuse not to use them, build better ones, and perfect the technology. We are still in the canoe stage of space exploration. And canoes aren't the same as ocean liners. But they are all we have right now. Having lost seven of our people and a shuttle, the space programs ( manned/unmanned, public/private, US/non-US ) are going to need our support now more than ever. I think it's a choice - do we support space and our aspirations and dreams and humanitys future XOR do we support the Wisconsin Luddite and the anti-space efforts to keep humanity groveling in the mud for all eternity. We must press onward, upward, & outward despite this tragity. Far better to die reaching for the stars than live groveling in the mud with the damm Wisconsin Luddite. The meek shall inherit the Earth !!! - Because everyone else is going to leave for the stars !!! James ;-( crying face for the lost crew. standard disclaimer