The complaining and Philosophical Issue Bar

[John Bono]

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. [/b]

Might I say, a very awesome post. Only a few thoughts from me.
The willingness from themselves for the risk isn't the question. It's the concept that they should get more respect and honor because that bit of information in the universe flipped from 1 to 0 somehow. I'm not trying to degrade them--I just see no reason to give them MORE honor in my mind simply because they're dead. When I heard about the shuttle crash, I said to myself, what a shame--it probably could've been avoided--I'm sure they'll be missed. I didn't think any higher or lower of them than I ever had before, just that it was a sad occurance.
And FAK--I think I figured out the hooplah. It's society mourning the death of someone who it as a whole believes was genentically superior than most, and died in a way that works against the betterment of mankind through natural selection--just a thought. I look forward to hearing y'all's replys.