STS-118 ..... maybe this one can to bring a touch of 'Camelot' back to NASA and to all of us.

[Stinky The Clown]

The crew of STS-118, set to launch the day after tomorrow, includes some direct connections back to Challenger and Christa McAuliffe.



One of the crew, 55 year old Barbara Morgan, was the backup teacher/astronaut to McAuliffe. She subsequently joined NASA and, after a twenty two year wait, is going to do what she's waited her life to do.

The other woman on the crew is Tracy Caldwell. At 38, she's much younger, but has cited McAuliffe as a role model.

Good for them both! I wish them safe journey and much success.

But the Camelot connection?

Let's look back to a speech given to a joint session of Congress on May 25, 1961. That's when we first heard the call to space. It was the leadership of John Kennedy. It was he who put us on a track to accomplish what we've accomplished. The space program has been heroic and bold. Something to inspire and something from which we can take some pride. We've had our losses and our bad actors along the way, but overall, the balance sheet is heavily tilted toward success.

It is this sort of visionary leadership our great Democrats have always given this country. It is but one reason why we're supportive of our party. The best Republican, at least by popular mythology, was St. Ronald. But he did it with smoke and mirrors. Democrats like Roosevelt and Kennedy and Johnson and Clinton were strong and visionary leaders. Not without flaws, to be sure. But leaders in the best sense of that word. And surely visionary. Look at the accomplishments of Roosevelt. Of Kennedy. Of Johnson's Great Society. And can anyone name a more caring humanitarian than the greatest ex president ever, James Earl Carter, Jr.?

We're all feeling a bit wounded and disillusioned these days. But we are who we came from and we will be where we're going.

The dream is alive. Chase it. Hopefully Wednesday's events in Florida will serve as inspiration anew to rise to the challenges.

Camelot. I was there.

[commander bunnypants]

1. nice post

what time EST on wED?

[Stinky The Clown]

3. 6.30 PM

[commander bunnypants]

4. cool thanks

CB

[Johonny]

2. Wow

nothing is MORE exciting than a pointless STS mission.

[commander bunnypants]

5. bbbbooooooooooooo

it is exciting.

strap my ass to a rocket and where is the gas pedal. :woohoo:


x(



CB

[Johonny]

6. exciting

Launching 30 year old spacecraft (talk about infrastructure decaying) into near Earth orbit with very little scientific purpose at great expense. That's not exciting. I just hope they live.