.jpg)
2.04.2010
George, That Was Indeed Trouble
The BagOfNothing.com guy finds some good stuff. Including this. A newly surfaced 24 year old home video of the Challenger disaster.
I was in law school at the time and was able to pick up KRLD -- which I normally had on in the background of my apartment. Back then, a space shuttle launch was a big deal but for some reason the station was about a minute late in cutting to the coverage. When they did, I'll never forget (the now deceased) correspondent Christopher Glenn saying, "There's something definitely wrong here."
From there, I raced to the TV but there were no "all news stations" following the story. I simply turned the dial (yep, turned) to either ABC, CBS or NBC and waited for the network to break in and change the screen to read "Breaking News." Which it did in about three minutes. That, in itself, was a weird experience.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
19 comments:
I was lucky enough to be in Florida in early June (which unfortunately is gay day at Disney World) '98. We got to see the shuttle launch while we were there. We were a long ways away, but, still a very awesome sight.
I watched the launch live (CBS, I think) and was stunned when it broke up.
A bunch of ships sank trying to cross the Atlantic in olden times. Because there was no TV to sensationalize it, people simply accepted loss as a natural part of life. Now we spend inordinate hours bemoaning any and every occurrence as an end of the world as we know it event.
That poison box has ruined our perspective. Among other things.
I was helping a friend with a booth in the exhibit hall of the Fort Worth Stock Show. Chilly that morning in Cowtown and the hall was mostly empty of visitors. Several booths had small televisions on in the background. Someone shouted that the shuttle blew up & we all migrated to visible tv screens to watch for the next several hours. Real solemn that day.
My Other Brother Darryl
If a space shuttle blew up every hour since then, it would fall short of the number of people killed since then because someone drank beer and drove.
8:58 - Pass me a beer.
I remember that I was in 8th grade in Springtown. We walked into Science class and the teacher had the tv on to the coverage. We spent the entire period just watching the coverage and discussing it.
7:55 Great point. I don't remember where I was that day because it meant absolutely nothing to me in my life. I was busy with the real work of raising three kids under 5 and all I remember thinking when the coverage went on and on and on was that those people's lives were no more valuable than the countless others of those who die every day but we hear nothing of them. Ridiculous to exalt some to martyr status when they were just taking the risks that came with the job just like the firefighters, policemen, nurses, many other folks do day in and day out. We don't have to fly flags at half-mast and hear about that all week long and for years to come.
I remember that day so well, I was in elementary school but had stayed home that day because I was sick. I was laying on the couch watching and thinking how horrible it was. All I could think about was the teacher that was onboard and the children she was leaving behind. Very sad day.
7:55 & 8:13 it's fine for you to declare that this was uneventful in your lives or that it didn't/doesn't deserve so much coverage. But for many of us who were/are interested in science, space flight, exploration and other similar endeavors, this event will always be a significant part of our history.
While TV certainly sensationalizes many issues, it also reflects many of our shared values and concerns. In this instance many of us mourned the loss of some of the absolute best and brightest that we had. There is nothing wrong with that.
I remember watching one of my high school teachers break down in tears after hearing the news. As you may remember, a school teacher was allowed to be a part of this mission. My teacher had applied and although she didn't make it, she felt as if she were part of the mission.
As far as it being ridiculous to exalt these people, I disagree. However, it is ridiculous to fail to exalt the other brave men and women who die in service to our country, state, and communities. If only you had made that point instead.
BTW, it's "half-staff" if it's a flag flown on land. "Half-mast" is only for flags flown on ships.
I usually say a lot of stupid things on this blog but that scene still brings me down every time I see it.
I was a sophomore in high school. My teacher came back in a bit teary eyed and told us what happened. There was an gasp then silence.
A favorite office game we play with new associates, "Where were you when the Challenger blew up?" Most were not even born yet.
Hey George, bring us some beers.
Just don't understand crying for the death of someone you don't know personally! Beyond my comprehension, but then some people cry at any and everything....just don't get it.
I was in the 3rd grade in Catholic school at the time. We were very excited that day because we were going to watch the launch live in the classroom. Our homeroom teacher who was a nun wasn't dumb to the situation, as soon as those booster rockets separated she had us praying for the astronauts souls.
if you prayed for everyone who died everyday you'd be pretty busy praying and not get much done in life....someone's always adyin!
NASA - Need another seven astronauts.
Christy McCaullahs last words...what does this button do?
I WAS LIVING IN HOUSTON , WITH MY THEN INFANT SON BESIDE ME ON THE COUCH , I CLEARLY REMEMBER CRYING AND IT MADE HIM CRY TOO, HE IS NOW 24 AND HAS A LITTLE ONE OF HIS OWN. THAT MEMORY HAS FOREVER BEEN IN MY MIND... THE DAY I MADE MY LITTLE BOY CRY !!!! GOD BLESS THE USA !!! <3
Post a Comment