Launched into Space

Otay, teacher-astronaut Barbara Morgan was successfully launched into space. For those of you who don't know, Ms. Morgan has had, in the words of the Dead, a long strange trip to get there. Ms. Morgan was the back-up to Christa McAuliffe for the ill fated Challenger mission. Ten years later she was scheduled to be on the flight after the Columbia mission which also ended tragically in a break-up over Texas.

Yet despite all of that Ms. Morgan has finally made it into space. I would like to take a minute to pay tribute to Ms. Morgan and all of the hero's we call astronauts. Their dedication to a singular goal, unflinching determination, and won't give up spirit are something that we as a human race can feel proud over. In a day and age where our nation's role models are me, me, me hotel heiresses and athletes that break records* by taking roids, these people are real heros that all of us can aspire to be like.

So to all of you who have risked your lives to push our understanding of the space around us, I salute you. And to all our fallen brothers and sisters, your bravery and sacrifice is not forgotten. This world is better because of you.

Peace out.