paramedicpete,

Thanks.

Commanche7 and family,
Thanks for your thoughtful sentiments. Today I heard more than a few people comment that the loss of seven people was no big deal, and that the money spent by NASA should be spent on something more useful like social programs. Imagine the complaints we'd here from the same people if we took away the technology and medical knowledge gained from the space program. They are missing the nobility attached to those willing to risk their lives to travel in space. The astronauts are indeed explorers, and the frontier is still untamed. One day the masses with simpler dreams will follow in their footsteps, and take little notice of the monuments erected to those who first blazed the trail. Regards to all, Tom

Sorry Comanche7, I mispelled your name. Regards, Tomm

TomR,
No problem. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I've found the editing tool pretty useful in going back and performing after the fact quick fixes on posts. After posting, view the thread that you posted to, scroll down to your post. If you find an "ooops" <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> , just click on the "Edit" button on the top right of your post. FWIW, In some forums, the edit function seems to have a time limit on how long after posting you may edit, haven't really checked it out on ETS though.

Regards,
Comanche7

<I have been told 7 astronauts are nothing: we lose people every day to crashes in the air and on our roadways. But these people WERE special.>
Chris maybe I interpreted your post wrong but the impression I got was that your thought the lives of these astronouts was more important than that of those killed in the air or on the roads. And you said they were special, come on, everyone is special not just astronouts.
P.S there was a V.interesting article in an english newspaper about the kind of news that people want to hear etc. you should be able to read it at the Guardian unlimited site.
-james

James, I did not put a measure or value on anyone's death. We will never know the unwritten music, technical discoveries or other advances lost with every life cut short. The shuttle astronauts were special because they represented those accumulated efforts. If Chubby Brown and a rap group were in their place my feelings would remain.