Posted by Ford Prefect [68.3.95.164 - ip68-3-95-164.ph.ph.cox.net] on 01 February 2003 at 22.17.32 ZuluTime:

As I'm sure all of you are aware, the re-entering space shuttle Columbia broke apart and exploded over Texas this morning. One thing that really alarms me is how eager the average joes on the street are to blame this on terrorism. Today an angry gregarion at a convenience store noticed me wearing a "NASA" t-shirt and started talking about the crash. The conversation goes something like this.

Gregarion: Those fucking arabs have gone too far. Now they're shooting down the shuttle. When the fuck will they learn?

Me: Actually, everything that happened points to a damaged heat shield, which they already suspected was damaged on liftoff. It was a malfunction that couldn't have been avoided.

Gregarion: What the fuck do you know about it?

Me: Quite a bit, actually.

Gregarion: What the fuck do you think you are, an astronomer or something?

Me: (longish pause) Yes, yes I am, actually.

At this point, I am telling the absolute truth. I'm majoring in planetary astrophysics and I have actually taught astronomy and the history of the space program to elementary school classes, high school classes and scout troups. I have been studying astrophysics in my spare time since I became an amatuer astronomer at the age of ten. Therefor, its probably safe to say I know a bit more of the particulars of the hazards of space travel than some ignorant redneck at the quick stop. But I digress...

My main peeve is that Osama Bin Laden, and by extension the entire arab world, has become the boogeyman in the eyes of the american people. NOTHING bad can happen without it being blamed on terrorism. A serial killer in DC? Must be Bin Laden. Plane crash in the everglades? Bin laden. A carrot top movie is released in theatres? You guessed it, Osama Bin FUckOff himself. (actually, that last scenario is somewhat believable).

The thing is, bad things happened in the world before Osama Bin Laden was just a glimmer in his daddy's eye. Was chernobyl the work of arab terrorists? No. Three mile island? No again. More specifically, the fire on the launchpad of apollo 1 was not caused by terrorists. The near fatal marooning of apollo 13 was not caused by terrorists. Challenger was not the work of Al Quaeda, and neither was this. Sure, space flight is more routine than it was during the mercury missions, but its still about the most dangerous thing people can do. And do you know what the most risky part of space flight is? Re-entry.

Like I said, bad things happen. Space flight is not, and will never be routine and the arab world is not responsible for every minor tragedy suffered by the american people.