Columbia
Sun., February 9, 11:37 AM
The Columbia disaster just hung me up; I wanted to write about everything – and nothing. One of the real problems about this is that they will find out why, but there will never by anyone to blame. It’s in our nature to want to blame someone.
To most people today space exploration was always fact. More people are alive today who were born after the first U.S. orbital flight than before it. Look at Denver Doug’s entry about reading science fiction. I personalized it so, even when my science teachers said it would never happen. As it did progress, I loved it. (Said my brother, “I could understand crying at weddings and bar mitzvahs, but you cry at rocket launchings!”) If I couldn’t go myself, I would still enjoy every success of the program.
I have been so impressed the space station – international, no less. We move forward by cooperating with others. It’s as elementary as nursery school and as innovative as the newest PDA.
I have great admiration for those people who did what I couldn’t do – not just for their accomplishments but also for the way their enthusiasm inspired others. They made being smart acceptable. Last Wednesday’s “Star Trek: Enterprise” began with a tribute to the Columbia crew that read in part, “thank you for the inspiration.” I guess that says it all.
Maybe, having done that, I can get back on track.
