Re: [twuug] Space Shuttle Columbia blows up on reentry!

[Charles Shannon Hendrix <shannon@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sun, Feb 02, 2003 at 09:27:33AM -0500, Mike wrote:

> After long while thinking... and I am grateful for the jolt the astronauts
> give us. Time to wake up , do a few things I love: as they did so well.

I think we should also remember also that they did complete a nearly
perfect mission.

> America was discovered by Vikings in ships nearly as dangerous as the 
> space shuttle. Then colonised by Europeans in heavy sailing ships much 
> more so. 

Good point, and actually it was often more dangerous to travel by ship
in those days.  We forget sitting here in 2002 that long-distance travel
used to mean death as constant companion.

I just finished reading a book about the Crusades, and it is amazing
how many died on both sides, just traveling to the battlefield.

> There is a tradition of discovery that is being carried on into space. The
> Europeans are not far behind. I'm sure there were guys sitting around saying
> I don't approve of this voyaging to the edge of the earth , 

It's recorded fact!  There were even people who thought attempting the
voyage would invoke the wrath of God or attract the monsters that lived
far out in the distant seas.

The act of discovery, pushing the envelope, and day-dreaming of the
future are part of what pulled us out of the dark ages.

> maybe we are hearing from their decendents on this list . If you don't want
> to benifit from the space program , then turn off your computer now , unplug
> your sat-tv and for that matter quit watching any tv as it is all bounced
> off satellites .

Unfortunately people that complain often think nothing of making use of
the spoils of what they complain about.

Just like the PeTA people who benefit daily from what they oppose.
I've never seen a single of of them actually live by their word.

> I think living on a polluted planet with at least 5,000 toxic organic 
> compounds in air, food and water around us is more ugly than the Twin 
> Towers burning or even more shocking than the shuttle exploding.

Yep.  There are places in the world where attacks like the one that took
down the WTC are part of daily life.  Not to belittle what happened,
but we have been very lucky compared to the rest of the world.  We also
forget the majority of the world earns less in a year than we spend on
entertainment in a week.  I think the world average income is estimated
to be under $100.

> I don't expect everybody to agree, though.

That's what you get for thinking.


-- 
UNIX/Perl/C/Pizza____________________s h a n n o n@wido !SPAM maker.com


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