Friday, July 29, 2005
NASA
NASA has attempted to reassure us that the space shuttle does'nt appear to have suffered any major damage and is expected to make a safe return to earth upon completion of its mission. I say 'attempted' to reassure us because until it is on the ground and the astronauts are happily engaged in relating the results of a successful mission, there's going to be a lot of apprehension and nail biting at NASA headquarters and throughout the world at large. The Murphy's Law syndrome is ever prevalent when dangerous ventures are in play. I have always been an advocate of space exploration and taken great pride in this country's boldness and committment to gaining the utmost knowledge of our universe.
As of this moment we have yet to find any evidence of other life forms on other planets and we continue to explore our own origins in the overall scheme of things, but as is sometimes the case in worrisome times, we wonder if perhaps our efforts and our money would be better served to make life better for the people who live here on mother earth.. After all, of what possible importance can the continued exploration of dead planets and dying stars be to us in the here and now? There is so much to do and undo at home. Having said that, I know that we will continue to reach for the stars and try to attain the unattainable, because that is, for better or worse, what we are, arrogant, complacent, nosey and just plain cantankerous. We are human.
When my wife Barbara read this, she said, "old man, you'll be first in line when they begin overnight shuttle trips to Mars". Lord, I hope not.
George Morin
Auburn
As of this moment we have yet to find any evidence of other life forms on other planets and we continue to explore our own origins in the overall scheme of things, but as is sometimes the case in worrisome times, we wonder if perhaps our efforts and our money would be better served to make life better for the people who live here on mother earth.. After all, of what possible importance can the continued exploration of dead planets and dying stars be to us in the here and now? There is so much to do and undo at home. Having said that, I know that we will continue to reach for the stars and try to attain the unattainable, because that is, for better or worse, what we are, arrogant, complacent, nosey and just plain cantankerous. We are human.
When my wife Barbara read this, she said, "old man, you'll be first in line when they begin overnight shuttle trips to Mars". Lord, I hope not.
George Morin
Auburn
