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February 01, 2003
Columbia disaster and revised plans
The irony is incredible. The first Israeli astronaut (along with 6 Americans) die in a horrible accident that spreads burning wreckage over a city named Palestine. I can hear the conspiracy theories already.
I wasn't looking forward to packing for the trip(s) before this happened, and I certainly didn't feel like it afterwards. I want to smack CNN anchor-person Miles O'Brien who keeps saying things like, "I don't want to go too far into orbital dynamics because I would just lose all."
After forcing myself to get moving, I overhead the following while getting my hair cut.
Barber : I bet it was them damn terrorists.
Barbee : Nah, it was an accident. But they should have escape pods or ejection seats like in jets.
I'm debating which one of these guys knows the least about physics. The one who thinks there are antiaircraft weapons that can shoot down a vehicle moving at Mach 18 at an altitude of 200,000 feet, or the guy who thinks a person ejecting from said vehicle would have any chance of survival.
It's all pretty depressing to contemplate.
Anyway... For those of you keeping score at home, my travel plans have been somewhat simplified since yesterday. In the interest of national security, I can't tell you all the details, but suffice to say that there will be less driving and move flying than at this time yesterday.
The packing is done and we're rolling out in the morning.
Here to the astronaut's families. I hope your loved ones are in a safe, peaceful place now.
The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God. -- 28-JAN-1986, President Ronald ReaganPosted by Christopher at 10:50 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack