Editorial

Tragic loss: Must not slow down space program

When I was in elementary school, I wrote a research paper on the importance of space exploration. This topic caught my attention after I watched astronaut Neil Armstrong walk on the moon for the first time.

If I recall correctly, Armstrong's famous words were, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." That first moon landing seemed like science fiction coming alive.

Fresh perspective. The photos of the earth from space especially amazed us. It gave us a fresh perspective of our tiny planet floating in the vast universe. This new look at earth caused many of the astronauts - and many of us earthlings - to appreciate anew the power of God and his creation.

"To go where no one has gone before" has been the cry of explorers throughout human history. We want to push the boundaries, to see what God has made. The space programs in the U.S. and other countries continue that tradition of exploration.

Question spending. Some question the wisdom of spending so much money in space, especially in times of economic crisis. It is a concern we all share - that our money be spent on worthwhile endeavors.

Besides satisfying our quest to explore, space travel has proven to bring practical benefits. Many scientific/medical experiments done in space have led to breakthroughs in treating diseases, in nutrition, and in use of communication and transportation technologies.

The Columbia crew knew the dangers of space exploration, but they also realized its potential benefits. They were willing to take the risks to achieve goals to better humankind.

Mourn the loss. We mourn the loss of the seven astronauts. One of them, Laurel Blair Salton Clark, 41, grew up in Racine, Wis., and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She and the other crew members will be missed by their co-workers, relatives, and friends.

Pope John Paul II urged everyone to pray for the astronauts, "The sad news of the tragic explosion of the U.S. space shuttle Columbia has stirred deep emotions in everyone," he said. "I ask everyone to pray for the victims, who died while fulfilling an international scientific mission. At this time of difficult trial, I am spiritually close to the relatives and I assure them of my prayers."

Continue space program. But while we grieve for the astronauts who died, we hope this tragedy will not slow down the U.S. space program. We do need to investigate the causes of this catastrophe and find ways to ensure that it doesn't happen again.

But manned space flights should continue in the future as we explore the far reaches of the universe God has created.

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

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To the editor:

I disagree with several articles in the past couple weeks about a war with Iraq. I hate war as much as anyone. I have seen a hospital packed with men torn apart in battle. I have lost my best friend in a war.

Saddam is a mad man. He has killed thousands of his own people, invaded his neighbors twice, and is an evil dictator. He is the type of person that does not listen to anyone; it's impossible to have a dialogue with him. He has paid the families of homicide bombers in Israel. One of his goals is to drive Israel into the sea. That is the goal of most Arab fanatics.

I pray for peace every day. America needs to prepare for war every day. The longer we delay in this matter, the stronger Saddam gets. Also, let's remember that he has violated the terms of the Persian Gulf cease-fire for many years. We must get him now to save the lives he would take with nuclear weapons.

James Curtin, Madison

Will we sacrifice our conscience?

To the editor:

In the years following World War II, it was not uncommon to hear our former enemies, now friends, the Germans, talk about their unawareness of what their government did to the Jews. Despite the "Night of Broken Glass" when over 300 synagogues in Germany were either desecrated or destroyed by fire, many decent and otherwise, caring people, including the young, pleaded they "just didn't know what was going on." The Holocaust came next.

Today, our own government is preparing to do to Iraq what General Curtis LeMay wanted to do to Vietnam, bomb it to pieces. People huddle in Baghdad with their small children, mothers and fathers hoping somehow for a miracle, knowing that the government of the United States of America is planning to kill them.

Is there one among us who is unaware? Shall any of us be able to claim a few years from now that we did not know about the "slaughter of the innocent" about to take place? Mrs. Albright, in the Clinton Administration, brushed it off as "collateral damage." The White House and Department of Defense don't like to discuss it publicly.

What about us? It is about to take place in our name. As U.S. dominance is established over the Middle East, are we now prepared to sacrifice even our conscience? In pursuit of our nation's ambitions, has the death of innocent people, even little children, now achieved respectability by the grace of society? If so, what kind of a society have we become?

To resist, call the White House and say so: 202-456-1111. Lift up your voice or find a way to put your body on the line.

Rev. Frederick R. Trost, Middleton

Questions author of Hebrews

To the editor:

I always find Fr. John Dietzen's column to be interesting and informative.

In his recent article he discusses the books of the New Testament. He states: "The canon includes . . . 14 letters traditionally attributed to St. Paul . . . " Dietzen lists Hebrews as one of the 14. Quoting the Jerome Biblical Commentary (Prentice Hall, 1968): "The author of Hebrews is unknown . . ." (Section 61, page 381).

Having served as a lector for a number of years, I engaged in "discussions" with fellow lectors regarding the transition of the introduction: "From the Epistle of St. Paul to the Hebrews," to the omission of the attribution to St. Paul. I understand old habits are difficult to break. I would appreciate Dietzen's comments.

J.W. Rock, Monona