Columbia Discussion thread

Feb 1, 2003

[Admin Moderator]

'

On behalf of posters on Free Republic, I post this with deepest sympathy for the crew and their families.

Mission - sts107

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This is a continuation of the original thread.

Shuttle Contact LOST-No Tracking Data During RE-Entry!

ANY DU LINKS OR POSTS WILL BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY. Keep them on the original thread.

[Route66]

'Not trying to criticize you as I admire your ability to do that. But have you had to go in front of the press discussing in clinical detail how your best friend at work just died? It might be a bit different than dealing with the death of a regular patient.'
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Make that SEVEN friends. This is a rough situation. I admire the way they have handled this and don't feel anything about it is unprofessional.

[ChemistCat]

No.

If you work with the space program, this is like watching a mudslide cover your village...your family, your friends...and you KNOW some are gone and maybe the village will never function again....

There were calls for the end of manned space flight after CHALLENGER.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

What a kind gesture! Thank you.

[lainie]

No, Buzz was just being interviewed.

[JulieRNR21]

These NASA people are still in shock....I do not find their emotional state inappropriate but rather an affirmation of the American Spirit....The life os each astronaut is precious....Considering their grief....I think that they are doing a remarkable job of reporting what they know at present.....May God Help & Comfort Them and the Families!

[dennisw]

Okay, but is it just me or do anyone of you find the NASA press conference too emotional? Yes, I understand their grief, but I do expect better from professionals.

I see the same way. Platoons of grief counselors are their way. Welcome to today's America where the scientists emote and (with Title 9) the women have 50% of funds for college sports and sports scholarships. It's a mega tragedy and I won't sully it any further. But this is how see it.

[Dave S]

Then they should refrain from holding a press conference and grieve in private.

Right and then some would yell coverup. They need time to get their story straight.

[Dog]

Where is Owens Valley CA...??

[CyberAnt]

Hi backhoe - how are you doing ...??

I agree about the "stunned" feeling. I feel like I weigh a ton - and everytime someone says certain things, I just start crying. Hopefully this mood won't last long.

[MadIvan]

The explorers who died today are part of history, and they will be remembered as such.

We can't see it now, but the people who died in the Challenger and Columbia will be in schoolbooks in the future. When children learn about the exploration of space, their names will echo those of Magellan and Columbus, who went on their own voyages of discovery. And some of those explorers did not come back either - Magellan was killed in the Phillippines.

In that sense, those who passed from this life today, are immortal. And they are immortal too in God's embrace.

I realise that isn't much comfort to those grieving now, but it is something to keep in mind.

Regards, Ivan

[ChemistCat]

Good grief.

Are you the person who says, "Okay, it's time to just move on now! What's done is done!" halfway through the funeral of somebody's teenage child?

Let's just become robots! How much easier that would be!

These people just watched seven friends die and a priceless asset to their life's work ripped to millions of pieces...and you want them to be Spock.

[Dave S]

Then they should refrain from holding a press conference and grieve in private.

If you think they are bad, you should have seen Buzz Aldrin who lost it completely on NBC when trying to read a poem someone had emailed him. Maybe they should bring in a cold hearted babe like yourself to do the briefing.

[RadioAstronomer]

I see the same way. Platoons of grief counselors are their way. Welcome to today's America where the scientists emote and (with Title 9) the women have 50% of funds for college sports and sports scholarships. It's a mega tragedy and I won't sully it any further. But this is how see it.

You stay professional on console. I KNOW! I have been on console for launch failures. However, it hits you right in the gut soon after.

[lainie]

Owens Valley is up north of Death Valley, north of China Lake, just north of Mt. Whitney. On the way to Reno.

[Dave S]

What does a heart murmer have to do with making a mistake? Where is the proof that Grissom panicked and blew the hatch prematurely?

Your question revolved around second chances. And as much as I liked Grissom, NASA didnt know what caused the capsule to go down until just within the last few years.

[Dog]

Some reporter just said they have claims that the shuttle was breaking up over Owens Valley CA..

Interesting..

[Brytani]

These are the same people who cheered on September 11. The same people who clap when Saddam hands out checks to families of homocide bombers. I expect nothing less from them.

[=Intervention=]

I suppose I'm on the only one who finds such sentiments horrific. Talk about schaenfraud (delight in others' misery)!

[Carolinamom]

...I do expect better from professionals.

At a time like this I think we all should give them some slack. Their raw grief is but human. I fault them not. Hope you will rethink your assessment.

[CyberAnt]

Most of the reports I have heard have specifically said that there is no way it would be terrorist FROM THE GROUND. However, nobody has said anything about any other kind of terrorism; software or hardware caused to fail.