Well, I really have nothing to add to all of the comments made by folks with better knowledge of the shuttle disaster. I quick skim of other Blogs and websites is overwhelming, so anything I have to say would only repeat what they have already said.

I simply want to say that my thoughts are with the families and friends of those seven astronauts. Sadly, we have (as Americans) have come to see space flight as almost ordinary, ignoring the difficulties and dangers that are all too real for those who put their lives on the line. It is only at times like this and with the earlier Challenger disaster that we stop for a moment in our day and give thought to those brave enough to go where only our imagination has gone before.