[George W. Bush]

What I am saying is that in this and other dangerous businesses, its not smart to simply take chances, and professionals don't. We DO take calculated risks, fully understand the problems, and mitigate the dangers to the fullest extent. This is prudent and necessary.

We could save more lives than were lost on the shuttle every single day by lowering the highway speed limit to 20 mph. And by outlawing motorcycles and bicycles. And private aircraft.

Why so much concern with saving lives just on the shuttle? I'd like to know how many qualified astronauts have died in car wrecks or other "preventable" accidents over the course of the space program. We've now lost 17 astronauts. Are you so sure that we haven't killed more astronauts by not enacting more stringent vehicular safety laws for vehicles they use other than the shuttle?

[mikhailovich]

The Americans should have turned the craft around after all the booster separations. Doesn't anyone find it curious that an agency will delay launch, after launch, due to backup water lines leaking, or light winds, or etc, but will continue a mission after seeing the wing become damaged?

I believe some heads will roll after this decision.

[Magnum44]

Your arguing with the wrong person. I am a strong supporter of manned space. I am telling you the pragmatic reality of the business. NASA will have to do a thorough investigation, and likely congress will do an 'independent' one before the shuttle flies again. This will be a long pocess whether you or I like it or not. As always, I simply try to provide the rationale, not argue with those who have different or otherwise informed opinions.

Just because I understand the enemy doesn't mean I agree with him. Likewise, it doesn't mean I ignore him lest I walk into my own undoing.