The complaining and Philosophical Issue Bar

[PsiMatt]

On the behalf of the International Community, and indeed, humanity, i feel compelled to intervene in this mighty struggle. Allow me to inroduce myself...I am Matthew Lee, Executive Director of the International League of Students, and s representative of the youth of the international community. This discussion is clearly getting out of hand, and while each side does have its points, please read this and try to understand the other side.

Every time we get up out of bed, get into a car, go to school (or work), promote an action, or choose to do anything at all , we take a risk. However, the is the matter of that which is routine, and that which is not. Those actions that I have mentioned are routine, but things such as space exploration, war, and other such are not. Nothing is certain in this world, not even the infamous "Death and Taxes." In war, one is not destined to die...yes, there may be a greater chance of death, but it is not certain. Yet those people who volunteer to defend our country know that every time they go into action, they put their lives on the line for their country. Is this not also the case for the astronauts? The people who have been a part of Space Exploration and other endeavors in science know of the great risks that accompany what they do, and yet they continue to serve scientific community, and thus the world, in that way. Many of the things that we use in our lives today are spinoffs of the Space Program, which was probably the only good outcome of the Cold War. Those who risk their lives for their country and their people, those who would be willing to die for a just cause..is that not the definition of bravery, bravery as befits who we term heroes? Think about those who died to make Space a safer place for us to visit, to make the world better for us all to dwell in. If not for Apollo 1, we might have had a fire while the CM was naring the moon, and we would never have discovered why they died, so that our exploration might be in vain. If not for Challenger, many more could have been hurt later on, and the mistakes of Thiokol would never have been exposed. If not for 9/11, the people of America, as well as many of the other Western nations, would still be all too complacent about the very real threat of terrorism. And without Columbia, the world would have continued to ignore those who have served it. Remember, those selected for the Space Prgram have a choice whether or not to be part of it, and fully informed of the risks, they do not.

When we mourn the dead, we mourn the fact that we will never again be able to experience them as human beings, to truly know them. We mourn the loss of a human life, and our inabilities to have saved them. We of humanity are not immortal, and it is in the knowing that our lives are limited, that human life is precious. We treasure every moment, through our hearts, our minds, and our very souls. When people are alive, we all too often do not take the time to know them, and after their loss, we mourn that we no longer can.

On the topic of those who died because of AIDS in Africa, their deaths are truly tragic as well. Millions all over the world are infected with AIDS, and many will probably die in the coming years, even if there is a cure, because of the huge economic gap between rich and poor. But many of those people who are infected, did not know the odds or ways of geting AIDS, and while victims, did not die for a cause. We of the International League of Students know of and know those who are dying, and we try to educate others of the risks, but also help to weave the theads of tolerance and mutual understanding that bind the world together. The AIDS problem should be a considered a problem by the rest of the world, yet sadly, it is overlooked because of the inglorious deaths it causes. If the people continue to be apatheic towards those who die, then there will be none left when threats to their well-being become known.

The Poem Apathy

Now, let us think for a moment upon how we were able to recieve the news of the destruction of Columbia...a free and usually unrestricted press. That is a form of free expression, part of the concept of human rights and freedoms, our natural rights, guaranteed to us by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, among other international treaties. Under Article 5 of the UNiversal Declaration of Human Rights

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

and Under Article 29(2)

(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society

. In this regard, we should respect the rights of those who died on the Columbia, and not degrade them through our actions or our words, and we should excercise our natural rights morally, as specified in the UDHR. Those of the Columbia, and all of those who have died for a just cause in history have excercised their rights and their power to choose o make this world a better place. To honor their memory, we should not deny their value to the world as a whole, for as members of the scientific community serving the world, they were willing to give the sacrafice of their lives. While you may be free to disagree, for the sake of the rights of others, for respect and international morality, please use your words and actions constructively towards the making of a better world, for until you have voluntarily chosen to risk yourself for the embetterment of humankind, until you can truly understand the mindset of the people who were on the mission, you are not qualified to degrade them or their memory.

Even that which FIRST was based upon, gracious professionalism, has respect as one of its foundations. In compliance with this, and international directives, please respect the people who have died, and those who risk themselves to make the world a better place. I stand firmly by the viewpoint of the internaitional community that their willingness to risk themselves should be honored, for it is only in these tragedies that we truly realize the grave risks and responsibilities that people will take in order to serve their people, their nation, and their world.