About two hours ago - 9 am EST - NASA lost contact with the descending shuttle Columbia after a very successful space flight. During re-entry, something went horribly wrong inside the shuttle, as of now NASA does not know what that event could have been. Speculation has it that it was a terrorist attack, NASA denies the fact. The shuttle then began to break apart over Texas. 7 astronauts were on board, 6 Americans and 1 Isreali. The loss of the Shuttle Columbia is a terrible event, and a hard hit to Americans. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families of these Astronauts, and to the Isreali people and Isreali army for the loss of their comrade.   ----------------------- Sergeant First Class Otto Vox Dark Jedi Knight Executive Officer - Raiders Squad XO/TRP/CE/SFC Otto Vox/3SQD/1PLT/1COM/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VEEC/VE(LM)(ES) CM/DJK Otto Vox/Krath/Lion 1-4/VEDJ "Give into the inferno that is the Dark Side of the Force." - Otto Vox "Fear, fear attracts the fearful, the strong, the weak, the innocent, fear is my ally." - Darth Maul

One reply? One reply? Wow, I thought that the VE actually had people who cared about other life. Besides DH, I guess I was wrong.
 
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Sergeant First Class Otto Vox
Dark Jedi Knight
Executive Officer - Raiders Squad
XO/TRP/CE/SFC Otto Vox/3SQD/1PLT/1COM/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/VEEC/VE(LM)(ES)
CM/DJK Otto Vox/Krath/Lion 1-4/VEDJ
Give into the inferno that is the Dark Side of the Force.-Otto Vox
Fear, fear attracts the fearful, the strong, the weak, the innocent, fear is my ally.-Darth Maul

Actually, it hit me hard for a few reasons. I just didn't feel the need to post basically saying the same thing you did. I also don't feel the need to share my thoughts on it or rumors such as the crap about it possibly being a terrorist act. The thing was way out of missile range and if they had wanted to do something internally (really frickin' hard/nearly impossible) they would have made it happen on the launch. Call me hearless if you dare, but I don't feel the need to express my pain over the loss of someone who shares a love of flying and the mysteries of space with little 14 year olds via a string of 1s and 0s.
 
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OO/GN Sierra "Talon" Taurus/HC-3/VEHC/VE[BC][IOC][LoC][SoS][BM][CDS][MSM]
DGM-SL/KPX "Nightblades"/DC-2/Elite Griffen Sect/VSD-II Griffen/VEDJ/VE[IOC][OQD][WoS 2nd Class]
CEO Sierra "Talon" Taurus/ECHC-1/Endoven/Dome 8473/VEEC/VE
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SCAP/COM Vincent "Claw" Taurus/ISD Nemesis/Offensive Fleet/VEN[=A=][LoM][IOC][IC2]
CE Vincent "Claw" Taurus/Endoven/Dome 8457/VEEC/VE

My heart does not go out to the Israeli's. Only to the Americans. After the Israelis came on last not saying that they were glad that it happened, I have no remorse for them. They are happy that it happened, so I have grievences and remorse only for the Americans.
 
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Platoon Sergeant Rizzit BlackHeart
Wildcard Platoon
Raider's Squad Leader
Army of the Vast Empire
SL/PSGT Rizzit/3SQD/1PLT/COMP/1BAT/1RGT//VE[OPE][OTH][EW1]
"Should I let him die slowly, or put him out of his misery?"--Rizzit

Sorry, as usual I made a typo. It should read, like Talon said, The Iraquis were glad that it happened." My apologies go to anyone else insulted/offended by my typo.
 
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Platoon Sergeant Rizzit BlackHeart
Wildcard Platoon
Raider's Squad Leader
Army of the Vast Empire
SL/PSGT Rizzit/3SQD/1PLT/COMP/1BAT/1RGT//VE[OPE][OTH][EW1]
"Should I let him die slowly, or put him out of his misery?"--Rizzit

after the newest facts its nearly sure that its not a terrorist act. it was more prolly that cause till the start a few parts hit the shuttle, the heat protection on the left wing failed and riped the wing from the ship apart basichly (first heat at the wing, then heat inside the landing gear shaft) it sounds maybe coldy, but at least dead comes in a few secs, they prolly dont feeled anything. my best wishes goes to the family of the crew. even here in germany we are shoked about what happend.
 
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CMDR/DJK/CMD Warmaker/Viper 1-1/Phoenix Wing/mSSD Atrus/VE/VEN (=A=) (=SA=) (=FOCE=) (=JCPA=) (=SCPA=) [VC-B] [SV] [CBV] [IC] [LSM] [SBM]

Wing Commander Phoenix Wing
Viper Squadron Commander

"You can run, but you cannot hide"
"Have you ever kissed a Snake?"

Yes, Ilan is now considered a hero among the Isrealis. By Ilan being on this mission, it has brought the United States and Isreal closer together, and as stated on the news: Not as military allies, but as friends. I don't believe a word anyone says that the disaster of the Columbia was due to a terrorist attack. It's just not possible. No one could've planted a bomb because it wouldn't get passed NASA security, and I highly doubt it was any of the crew. What NASA thinks is the problem was the heat shield. During launch, some foam (NASA calls it 'foam' - probably is ) fell and hit the heat tiles underneath the Columbia, and there was no way to fix it once they lifted off. NASA figures the problem occured during reentry when the heat shield counts most. With the foam hitting (and possibly damaging) one of the tiles, the tiles would've broken and fallen to the ground, exposing the material underneath the heatshield. My deepest sympathies go to the families, as well. Losing a loved one is not easy, but they know that the crew of the Columbia knew the risks they were taking, and continued to do what they loved.
 
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Dawk "Cosmic" Rhonaey
CoT/LTC Cosmic/HCA-3/VEA/VE [OPE][OTH][OPA][IH][CDS][EW1][GS][SoS][MSM][PoC][IOC]
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Dawk "Cosmic" Rhonaey
SL/DJK Cosmic/Lion 1-1/mSSD Atrus/VEDJ/VE [VP][KC1][OAK]
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I want to agree with Mara there even though I understand that emotional events can upset people and make them say things they normally wouldn't. Also I would like to say that a death in someones job where it is a risk doesn't exactly make me feel obligated feel remorse. True I don't like to see a life ended before it's natural time, but there are many people who die in their line of work every day and that doesn't make the national news. Don't think that I'm totally heartless or something. I feel sorry for their families, but even Darkhawk said it, they knew their job was dangerous and that they might not make it back. They didn't make it back.
 
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TRP/PFC Drogo/3SQD/2PLT/1COM/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/
VE [LoR]
A.K.A PO1 TwinFury. Former Aegis(LustHawk) 3 and 5, Flight Leader Aegis flight 2, Astral Guard member, and MRR(Marine Recon and Rescue) Officer.
"Disarm you with a smile and leave you like they left me here, to wither in denial."

I'm not saying that I feel no remorse whatsoever. I'm just saying that I can understand why everyone didn't rush to the comnet to show their remorse. I'm sorry that these people lost their lives and I'm sorry their families have to go through that. As far as "They knew the risks, Oh well, It happens." saying that doesn't exactly mean I have a cold heart. I never said I wasn't sorry they died at all. I'm studying Criminal Justice right now and I plan on a career in law enforcement. If I should die in the line of duty I don't expect america to mourn my death as if it were some sort of horrible excrutiating experience. Grieving, I believe, is best left to those who knew them in life. Enough people that you know, and love will pass on in your time. Also I was in no way trying to belittle you or your feelings. To call me heartless because I don't feel that upset over the deaths of people I had never  known, or even heard about for that matter, before their untimly deaths. Well that's just uncalled for. I'm sorry if my views on this matter offend you, but that's the way I feel.
 
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TRP/PFC Drogo/3SQD/2PLT/1COM/1BAT/1RGT/VEA/
VE [LoR]
A.K.A PO1 TwinFury. Former Aegis(LustHawk) 3 and 5, Flight Leader Aegis flight 2, Astral Guard member, and MRR(Marine Recon and Rescue) Officer.
"Disarm you with a smile and leave you like they left me here, to wither in denial."

Rizzit, everyone here is entitled to his or her own opinion. Cut the crap.
 
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ADJ:NTO/FM/COM Darkhawk/Kaph 3-4/Phoenix Wing/mSSD Atrus/DEF/VEN/VE/(=A=)(=SA=)(=JCPA=)(=SCPA=)(=FCO=)[LoC][LSM][BRC][MC:1st][CBV*][VC:Ebony][KC:oc]

DLS/CL/SG Darkhawk/Eagle 2-1/mSSD Atrus/VEDJ/VE/[CR]

I would agree with Riel on this.  To date, no one has tried to force their opinion on others.  As long as that continues, I will allow this thread to continue. Basically, we must all understand the following. 1. Opinions are valid, as long as they are thought out and at least somewhat referenced into a framework of coherent thought or action.  For example, most racists think they have an opinion...when really they are undereducated and hateful buffoons in need of therapy and a bullet to the head.  I have, however, met a few dozen racists whom, while I refuse to agree with their decision, have at least come to it in an intellectual manner and thus I can respect their decision to avoid society as the rest of us know it.  I only bring this up as a comparison. 2.  If you think someone is "wrong," understand the reasoning that goes on behind their thought pattern.  Someone outside of the US is going to have a different reaction than, say Trigit, who might have a body part  of an astronaut found no more than 30 miles from his home...just to set another example. 3. It is all in what your interest is.  If you think the space program is a waste of our nation's cash, of course you are not going to feel emotionally vested in the outcome of it.  If you particularly like it and wouldn't mind sending your child off to a lunar base sometime in the future or something, you are going to see this as a horrific loss.  Yes, the families of the astronauts should be the key mourners.  And yes, these people knew what they were getting into.  However, when 300 cops and firemen died in NYC a couple years ago, no one I personally know brushed that situation off as "just another risk you take with that job." Just remember to be respectful of all views and opinions that are deserving of the titles.
 
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PRF/BG Fury/VEA/TADATH/VE [SCP][PoC][SotE:HC][SotE:VEA][IOC]
Stormtrooper Corps Prefect
Shopkeeper - Imperial Center

I do agree with Fury and that everyone has their own opinion of things, and I know that you, Drogo, would like to lock this topic because of your own personal reasons. I, however, don't see how locking the topic will help or worsen the matter. This is the United States of America, not some communist country. If someone says something, it doesn't mean that that's law. Everyone is an entitled to their own opinions. We all can't be the same. We're all humans. We all have different points of view. I do agree to let this topic go on, however, opinions are one thing, criticism and insults are another (I'm not pointing fingers, just stating in general).
 
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Dawk "Cosmic" Rhonaey
CoT/LTC Cosmic/HCA-3/VEA/VE [OPE][OTH][OPA][IH][CDS][EW1][GS][SoS][MSM][PoC][IOC]
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Dawk "Cosmic" Rhonaey
SL/DJK Cosmic/Lion 1-1/mSSD Atrus/VEDJ/VE [VP][KC1][OAK]
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I don't think you quite got my point, Rizzit. It wasn't the fact that you disrespected anyone's opinions or anything like that. I just don't feel that being these members' squad leader in the Army gives you any right to tell them they cannot share their opinions on the Main ComNet. But I do agree with you that there is no need to argue about anything. Let's all respect one another's opinions, even if they are the exact opposite of what we feel. A few comments on here really upset and angered me, but I've decided to hold back from issuing any kind of backlash. It won't change the way anyone feels, and it will only end up making me look overzealous.   ----------------------- ADJ:NTO/FM/COM Darkhawk/Kaph 3-4/Phoenix Wing/mSSD Atrus/DEF/VEN/VE/(=A=)(=SA=)(=JCPA=)(=SCPA=)(=FCO=)[LoC][LSM][BRC][MC:1st][CBV*][VC:Ebony][KC:oc] DLS/CL/SG Darkhawk/Eagle 1-4/mSSD Atrus/VEDJ/VE/[CR]

Hmmm..... I noticed that the last ten posts or so have all been about respecting others opinions and whatnot.  Now that this after-school special about tolerance is over, can we please move on?
 
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Krath Prophet(ess) Riel Fury
I miss you bro.

Well, I've got to say that I agree with Drogo, the world is sinking too deep into this public mourning of every tragedy, and the people who seem the most affected by it are the very people who would not have cared had the shuttle come down perfectly fine. As to respecting another's opinion, I agree, but that doesn't mean you can't debate, as long as both sides are able to state their reasoning in a calm and logical fashion(something I haven't seen very much in my history here, but that I'm very hopeful for). Anyways, that's my junket on this, enjoy.
 
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Argon Viper
IW COL Argon Viper{ret}
"History is on the move, those who cannot keep up will watch from a distance, and those who get in our way will not watch at all" - Grand Admiral Thrawn
"In combat, second place is only the last to die."- Anonymous
"Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses" - Carl G Jung
"The only thing that will never change is that everything will change" - Argon Viper