Thanks for your insight. We've locked horns once before over this issue.
I was very young when Sheppard made his first flight. He and all the early astronauts made a huge impression on me, and in my opinion, any person with guts enough to strap his or her butt on top of a exploding rocket deserves all the adulation they get.
We went to see Liberty Bell 7 a few weeks ago. I'm still speechless about the encounter. I remember when Grissom went up in her...and now, so many years later, I stood just 6-inches away from it. Incredible. The thing is just a CAN...no windows, only a periscope. No computers, no real technology, and no room to move much less breathe. And Gus went up in her. Amazing!
So if these guys are pompous, arrogant SOBs, more power to them. They did what few humans would ever have the guts to do...and they are still my heros.
During the period 79-82 I worked at KSC as a computer operator while going to school in Orlando. It was a great experience during the ramp-up and first four Shuttle flights.
By the way, I too had a little sparring contest with Mamzelle in that thread I pointed out to you. I guess I can understand that she might have some feelings of personal bitterness toward astronauts she knew. However, I totally disagree with her belittling of the entire astronaut corp as "seat meat" with no control over the flight. That just wasn't true, then or now. I too have a lot of admiration for the profession.