The gas used as the propellant to spray the foam was changed to a “more friendly” gas and some people believe that this lead to the foam being less resilient. (algore should get some of the blame) The ceramic tiles weren’t the problem. The leading edge of the left wing was compromised thus allowing allowing the super hot gasses to enter and eventually rip the orbiter apart. The tiles did take some hits and always did but the chunk of foam that came from the left bi-pod area is what did the damage to the wing.
I brought this up with a lib-in-law shortly after the tragedy and all I got in reply was
“it’s always the liberals’ fault with you somehow, isn’t it.”
“Actually, yes.”