Wednesday, February 5, 2003

The nay-sayers are back. Within hours of the most recent Columbia tragedy, we hear commentary calling for the United States to abandon our long-standing commitment to space exploration. We heard the same language following Challenger, yet there is little appreciation for the benefits we have enjoyed as a result of NASA's research and development.

Perhaps the folks that do not wish to continue this valuable program would like to return to the days without microwave ovens, cellular telephones, and satellite TV. Maybe we should dismantle our entire satellite system and rely on the United Nations to provide intelligence for the movement of hostile regimes abroad.

There is yet another aspect to the space program that seems to escape the minds of those who produce such irresponsible rhetoric. A large portion of our economy depends on the continuation of the space program. Consider not only the impact of Kennedy, Johnson, and Marshall space centers, but also the spawning of many private industries. Equipment suppliers and contractors providing products and services directly to the industry should be counted along with thousands who now rely heavily on the maintenance of our satellite systems. How many jobs are related to the communications industry alone?

It is ironic that we receive this negative message by way of satellite communications. However, this is America and we do not restrict free speech. We air our comments so they may be judged by the people of the world and, as individuals, we readily dismiss those ideas that do not make sense. Of course, with the good comes the bad, so we are now confronted with a new type of waste wasted words that sometimes create chaos and confusion as we struggle to sift through too much talk in an effort to find the truth. With tragedy, there will always be those who find an opportunity to promote themselves or their selfish ideas. Shame on them.

While most Americans mourn the loss of Columbia's brave crew, we should remind ourselves of all those who have sacrificed their lives for freedom and better living. We should also recognize the value of our quest, the technological benefits we have enjoyed, and the relative ease with which words of blame can be levied. We have, and we will always have, those people who take risks in an effort to provide a meaningful contribution to society and those people who prefer the comfort of standing in judgment while not producing anything of value.

Del Boland

Tyrone