Columbia Investigation Continues

A segment of the left wing was found today. Data from the shuttle before the catastrophic break up indicated rising heat in the left wing. However, the cause remains unknown. Initially, considerable attention was focused on the launch where a piece of insulating foam coming off the external tank struck the left wing. NASA engineers examined that extensively and their analysis suggests that the foam piece was probably not large enough and not moving at high enough a velocity to do the kind of damage needed to endanger the shuttle. The theory gaining some press attention is perhaps some "space junk" hit the shuttle while it was in orbit.

As for the future of manned space flight, I hope NASA is able to win support for a shuttle replacement. The shuttle is a 1970s design. We have three left and there is no capacity to build more. NASA needs to develop a new ship for the purpose of transporting people to space with the latest technology. Private industry should be challenged to develop rockets to launch large payloads. The shuttle was designed to do both but it has become apparent that it was asking much too much of the technology of the era. It makes more sense to separate the functions.

Massive tax cuts don't make sense right now

Conceptually, tax cuts are always appealing to people. But the reality is that we are in a state of war and sacrifices need to be made. In WW2, the American people were asked to sacrifice. Rationing was the order of the day. People used their extra money to buy war bonds. And of course, millions went to war and gave the fullest measure of devotion possible.
We have been at war since September 11, 2001 and what kind of sacrifices have we made? Some inconviences at the airport and at public venues due to increased security? But is that really sacrifice? President Bush needs to use the bully pulpit and level with the American people and say, look, we are at war and it is costing us lives and treasure and will continue to cost more. But if we defeat terrorism in this generation, the benefit will be worth the price for our people and for the free peoples of the world. Freedom is not free. Nothing worth doing is without cost. Our soldiers are offering service with their mortal lives. We here at home must offer our willingness to forgo some comforts.