By now many of you are probably aware of the tragedy that has occurred this morning: Space Shuttle Columbia Lost

There will be opportunity to debate this as the news develops. For now, I just want to send my condolences to the friends and families of the astronauts

Amen

May God take care of them

I heard it on NPR right after the reports started coming in. I'm sure the families know by now, and they have my sympathies.

Apparently, the shuttle broke up at 40 miles high, right at the point of reentry. It's the oldest shuttle too, so I guess it's a case of bad luck. The only consolation is knowing that the people on the shuttle were doing what they loved most when this happened, and that's not a bad way to go.

I too want to extend my condolences to the family and friends of the astronauts. God Bless You All!

I am sure there will be rampant speculation about Terrorism considering there was a Jewish astronaut on board. ALthough it is impossible that it could be the case, I find it an odd coincidence. My heart goes out to the families of the astronauts. I remember when the Challenger exploded in 86 (I was in 4th grade) and watching it on TV at school that day.

A sad day for the country and my condolences go out to the families of the astronauts.

My condolences as well...What can you say when something goes so wrong? I am just thankful to these brave souls who lost their lives while furthering mankind, we are all truely in debt to them.

May God bless them all.

For both the people in the shuttle and their families left behind:

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May the Lord bless you and guard you. May He cause His countenance to shine upon you and bring you peace.

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we are all a lott poorer today.

My condolences go out to the friends and families of those who have died in the service of science and humanity. Anytime that someone leaves the atmosphere, it is a great risk, and I have the greatest amount of respect for those who are willing to risk their lives for the progress of humankind.

Of course, I echo the sentiments of everyone else who has posted in saying that my sincerest condolences go out to, first and foremost, the families of these astronauts, but also to their second families, their colleagues at NASA, who knew them as brothers and sisters in a common cause. Certainly this is a very sad day for Americans everywhere, and I grieve with them as a proud citizen of the United States, but it is also sad for the citizens of Israel, who were so strongly moved by sending the first of their countrymen into space, lifting the spirits of a country that is currently in peril. Furthermore, it is a sad day for the citizens of India, who are also grieving the loss of one of their Indian-born sisters, the first female Indian-American to venture into space. Surely, there are many reasons to be saddened by the events of today, but I hope that they do not hamper the space program, and that it may continue to progress with all speed. God bless the United States of America, God bless the world, and may we ever be thankful for His blessings.

In the line of duty, with great honor and valor, these brave souls lost their lives. To them, I offer my utmost respect, and to their families, I offer my deepest sympathies and heart-felt condolences. I will always remember their great sacrifice in the name of science and discovery.

Iraqis are probably the only ones enjoying this tragic incident:

Iraq Shuttle Reaction

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Immediate popular reaction in Baghdad on Saturday to the loss of the U.S. space shuttle Columbia and its seven-member crew -- including the first Israeli in space -- was that it was God's retribution.

"We are happy that it broke up," government employee Abdul Jabbar al-Quraishi said.


That is the sick man

May I offer my deepest condolences to the families of those lost in this tragedy.
It has been a bad week down here with 14 lost in a rail accident in Sydney, and now this.

My heart goes out to them all.

Regards........Alan

This brought back all of the memories of the Challenger disaster. My condolences to the families of these brave men and women who gave their lives in service to their country and fellow citizens

Almost 24 hours later:

Many of us have now witnessed a shuttle going down both on its way up and on its way back home.

The crews of both were working for science: the advancement of knowledge that can lead to the betterment of all humankind and all nations. Or not. Knowledge has no wisdom--that's up to us to figure out.

Iraq officially declares this a purposeful act of god, our punishment. Since this nation understands karma so well, I am sure it is ready to pay the price for torturing and killing its own people.

Pieces of the shuttle appear on eBay for sale. Now there's some lousy karma being earned.

President Bush declares that the crew have now gone home. We bow our heads in prayer.

Faulty O-rings or a nicked wing, it all leads to the same damn thing.
Courage knows no particular nation, sex, or race. We die as we have lived,
Some more significantly than others.

I don't feel punished but honored
To have been given this reminder during these hard scrabble days:
Life is to be lived with courage. Anything else is wasting time.

I can tell you one thing though, this wasn't terrorism. I have been watching CNN every day since the explosion and i recall that it was going at a Mach18 which means 18 times the speed of sound. You show me a terrorist that good and ill show you an award

You know that is illegalfor eBay to sell such items according Nasa.gov the people can be thrown in prison

Being as high as the shuttle was when it exploded is proof enough that is was not terrorism

No SAM or Shoulder Rocket could reach that high

There was a U.S. Fighter (unknown what type) guarding it all the way

Does anyone feel that the media coverage of this thing is a little much?

It's very weird that I have absolutely no feelings about this tragedy. I am sorry for those immediately connected to the event, but other than that, I can't help asking why something like this takes precedence over the many millions of atrocities suffered by humans every day. I don't want anyone to think I am trivializing, or disrespecting these brave men and women... but, does anyone feel the same?

James

Welcome to AD, Quick.

I agree that the media coverage is a little much. We really didn't need to know that human remains were found in several (more than seven at least) locations.
I do share in the sense of loss for my fellow Americans however. I don't mean to trivialize the deaths of many others on that same day, around the world and here at home, but to me, these men and women represented in some small way the pioneering spirit and courage that helped make our country what it is today.

Yes i believe the media is playing this TOO much. Just like the constant running of the 2 planes ramming into the World Trade Center Towers on 9/11


BTW: Welcome Quick!

I agree the media coverage is a bit much (it always is, isn't it?)

How many of you are now hearing the "how it effected our area" stories? I know Savannah thinks it's tops because we are sending two police dogs out to aid in the search for debris. I would safely bet that little burg that runs its own local news has a story like this.

ditto.............local news has been scrambling for a way to relate to the crash. This is the best they could come up with: A girl in a local High School once asked one of the astronauts what she should study in order to better her own chances of becoming an astronaut. His answer: "God will place you where you were meant to be". This was followed by a dramatic pause. God must really be an A-hole if this astronaut was "placed" in the middle of an exploding rocket.

Slightly Liberal Maybe you wanna change that.

It's an interesting thing, NEWS. How hard must it be to write/create stories that keep the viewer interested, but yet remain true to the facts, with as little spin as possible. I think that's why the local news networks can be so bad sometimes, trying to compete harder for the viewers, while at the same time employing news journalist that are sometimes less than, lets just say, talented. Local news is garbage!

I to feel that the Media has went overboard.

To put things into perspective 16 workers, on average, are killed at the work place everyday.

http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/...alitytables.htm

They don't work in as highly publicized fields but their families and co-workers grieve just the same.

I agree with the sentiment you voice. Death is always a sad and tragic thing, the spectacular way in which the Columbia broke up makes it seem more so. I'll say that I have respect for the astronauts and their risk taking and envelope pushing. They were all honorable and courageous people.

Astronauts simply mean more to a nation psychologically than factory workers do. Life is harsh.