Want to send thoughts and prayers out to the space shuttle families

[snugglebug]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/0...bia/index.html

This is terribly sad.

[Sue]

Yes this is a terrible tragedy. I feel so bad for their families.

[Luna Sea]

I heard that they had lost contact with the shuttle on the way to Petsmart this morning. While I was there shopping they confirmed on tv that the explosion over Texas was the Columbia and the word spread through the store quickly. My gosh, I think we all went into shock. Living this close to Cape Canaveral, we always go outside to see the shuttle go up - the launch trail in the sky is always very visible and when the shuttle returns - we always get the sonic boom that shakes the house. I am so sad and so sorry for the families and friends of the seven astronauts. May God be with them and give them peace during this traumatic time.

It's a sad day......

[momtolevi]

My thoughts are with the astronauts and their families awful! How horrible to get that close to landing and have a tragedy occur! I didn't hear anything about it until mid morning and even then it was just they had lost contact, I had no idea an explosion was taking place.

I'll never forget sitting in class years ago and watching the Challenger explode, and hoped this would never happen again.

What a sad day for all!

[marinnat]

My condolences to the families of the space program. We all feel the pain of this tragic loss...

[JackiesMom]

This is a terrible tragedy for our country. But what I am appalled at is the amount of people trying to cash in for the almighty dollar on this terrible even. They were talking about ebay on the news and how some people are trying to sell the pieces of the shuttle they found, thankfully, ebay is removing those immediately, personally I think those people should be charged with a crime as they are definately interferring with the investigation. But the other people who are selling everything imaginable and some of it going for over $2,000, is just not right. Everything seems to come down to how everyone can make a buck. And to cash in on something so terrible, is just sick. JMO. ebay

[startn]

What a tragedy! And we all send so much love and prayers to the families, friends, and NASA as they deal with this loss. And also as they try to piece together what happened.

And yes, JackiesMom....it is dangerous to touch or keep any of the pieces....and it is also 'illegal' to attempt to sell pieces. And I wouldn't be surprised if anyone has attempted to list debris, that their names will be turned over to the authorities.

And sorry to disagree, but as far as people selling Shuttle Columbia 'Memrobila' on ebay...that's going to happen no matter 'what' the event...whether it's a joyous event or a tragedy. Shuttle Columbia items were listed on ebay 'long' before yesterday...it's part of our Space Program history, whether it was a 'safe mission' or unfortunately ending in tragedy. It's human nature to want to own a piece of history. Which is why 'collecting'....no matter what it is.... has again become so popular....We collect Native American and Civil War....other collectors have their 'nitch'..and ...Many collect nothing 'but' Space Program...NASA memorbilia. so naturally they'll want to buy Columbia items. And if there were NO people interested in owning some of it... believe me...there would be NO market for it!!

[bognrin]

Well, to all who are upset about those trying to sell pieces of Columbia on eBay - don't worry, they will pay for their actions. I live very near where they make the rocket fuel NASA has talked about. That stuff is more than dangerous and it was no joke when they told people not to touch it! It is really serious stuff. Many people from around here work at Thiokol where they make this stuff and it is so hazardous. There are all kinds of measures for protection and control of it. I seriously recommend that no one touches it! So, anyone who collected parts and is trying to sell them will have their own set of problems. In this case, greed really does not pay!

[peachfront]

I strongly advise people to file complaints with EBay whenever you see these auctions.

I am ashamed and embarrassed by EBay's actions. They should not be allowing any of these items to be sold at this time. It is pure exploitation. A $4 "patch" being sold for $200? This is disgraceful.

I am a seller on EBay and I am tired of being smeared and associated with all these scumbags.

Also, if you see any auctions offering actual "pieces," they should be reported to the proper legal authorities. I have to go out in a little while but later today I hope to post the phone numbers where you can report these crimes. The remains are needed for scientific purposes, to determine what happened. They do not belong on some trashy vulture's shelf.

The space shuttle victims deserve the same respect as the WTC victims. They were our hope for the future, and they gave their lives. Their memorabilia should not be sold or exploited. Just as EBay put a moratorium on WTC related items for a couple of months after the tragedy, they should put a moratorium on shuttle related stuff for awhile. It is a disgrace that they haven't done so already. Yes, they are removing auctions for actual pieces and body parts -- pieces from crime and accident scenes, and human remains are already illegal to post on EBay.

But as of the last time I checked, they are still allowing patches, T-shirts, etc. to be sold. This is wrong. There should be a decent cooling off period out of respect for people's memories.

I am really ashamed of EBay today.

These people were heroes. They knew it was dangerous. They also knew that it was important to have hope for a better future. They were heroes.

Not a freaking fashion statement!

[Luna Sea]

You all are so right. Ebay should be ashamed as should the sellers hawking these items on any forum. What a disgrace and insult to the family and friends of these fallen heroes. It makes me so mad.

[Sue]

Last night there was a patch on there that was up to $15,000 and it said he didn't even have it in his hands yet, he had it on order. He said he was donating all the money he made to the families of the shuttle astronauts. Today it's back down to $120. Makes me wonder if someone found out he isn't really donating the money, or if he got bogus bids. Either way, I would rather just donate money to the fund their setting up for the familes than trust someone on ebay who may or may not actually donate the money.

[Luna Sea]

I heard about this on the news this morning...that the "official" Columbia Press Kits a lot of folks are selling on Ebay are free at NASA's website - adobe required - and it's 157 pages. I checked it out and it's true. So, instead of paying some self-serving scammer on Ebay, you can get yours for free and maybe donate some money to the fund for the Coulmbia families. Then you'll know where your money is going and for whom.

http://www.nasa.gov/columbia/

At the bottom of the page is this link:

http://www.nasa.gov/columbia/STS-107_PK.pdf

OR get them here:

http://www.shuttlepresskit.com/STS-107/STS-107_SPK.pdf

Peace & hugs to all.

[startn]

Thanks Vickie.....what a great post and everyone should spread the word of this!!

[Luna Sea]

Thanks Sandie.

Spread the word.

And I got this in an email just now and thought it was so appropriate.

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high unsurpassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

~John Gillespie Magee, Jr (1941) ~

Honoring These Fallen Heroes:



Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist
Rick D Husband, Commander
William C McCool, Pilot
Michael P Anderson, Payload Commander
David M Brown, Mission Specialist
Laurel Clark, Mission Specialist
Ilan Ramon, Payload Specialist

Peace & hugs all.

[peachfront]

I saw this same poem on an old 1981 Air Force award for International Science Fair winners so I was wondering about it.

Most people know it today as the poem quoted by Reagan's speechwriters after the Challenger accident.

I was just wondering if it was a traditional or official poem for Air Force or NASA.

[Luna Sea]

I have seen this poem used in a bunch of ways - always related to aviation and/or the military. When I was younger and local tv channels used to sign off at midnight, one of my local stations actually used a spoken version of "High Flight" with a montage of patriotic images, including Air Force jets and the American flag.

This is actually what I found on the internet about this poem and it's pretty interesting:

"High Flight," a poem by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. (1922-1941).

Magee was an American who joined the Royal Canadian Air Force before the United States entered the war. He trained as a pilot in Canada and went on to fly Spitfires in the 412 Squadron in England.

He was killed during a training flight over Lincolnshire on December 11, 1941. He was 19 years old.

Just three months before his death, Magee wrote "High Flight" on the back of a letter to his parents which stated: "I am enclosing a verse I wrote the other day. It started at 30,000 feet, and was finished soon after I landed."

The original copy of the poem, an anthem for aviators around the world, is in the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.

[peachfront]

Wow. I didn't realize that it was written by someone so young.

[Luna Sea]

Here's the link to the NASA Condolence Book where you read what other people are saying and you can also leave your own thoughts, prayers and wishes.......

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/feedback...e/ndxlast.html

[Luna Sea]

This is very good...check out the tribute to Columbia on WJRR.com's website...... even those who regularly misbehave (this radio crew) are showing some real class and respect here....

http://www.wjrr.com/main.html

The Fiasco's Tribute to Space Shuttle Columbia Flight
STS-107

Song from above tribute is Angel's Son performed by Sevendust:

Life is changing
I can't go on without you
Rearranging. I will be strong
I'll stand by you

(You were fighting everyday)
(So hard to hide the pain)
(I know you never said goodbye)
(I had so much left to say)

One last song
Given to an Angel's Son
As soon as you were gone
As soon as you were gone

I have a new life now
She lives through you
What can I do
Feel so alone now
I pray for you
We still love you

I can't believe you're gone

I can't believe