[MadIvan]

I remember when the Columbia was first launched. The announcers on the telly said it was a "remarkable" scientific achievement. I also remember the Challenger disaster - it was a huge shock and surprise. But I do also remember how President Reagan came through on that day.

President Bush did similarly well - though I have a feeling he is in tears as much as anyone.

Regards, Ivan

[DoughtyOne]

At a time like this the President needn't do much more than express the feelings that we all share. An expression of a great sense of loss, condolences to the families, coworkers and friends of the lost souls. It doesn't seem right now that the achievements are worth the cost, but we know in time that we will realize that they were. We will press on to achieve the goals they paid the price to reach. And we will know that when we reach that goal, that every person who contributed was willing to pay that cost, realizing the chances they were taking. The emotions run the gamet from sorrow, to pride, to a sense of loss, to a realization that we are never better than when we come together as a nation in trying times. Today we have friends in foreign lands who share our grief. So much the better.