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From: leo@cca.UUCP (Louise Osterman)
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Trust (?) Fund
Message-ID: <6013@cca.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 4-Feb-86 09:35:37 EST
Article-I.D.: cca.6013
Posted: Tue Feb  4 09:35:37 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 7-Feb-86 20:16:25 EST
References: <884@decwrl.DEC.COM>
Organization: Computer Corp. of America, Cambridge
Lines: 40

> 
> 
> 	How is it that a children's fund is actually necessary? I would
> have thought that NASA would have insured the lives of the crew. If they
> didn't, why not? If they did, what is this fund? I have a feeling that
> it's the good old american way of capitalizing on tragedy.
> 
> 	C'mon, you're not going to try and tell me that no one knew
> that this was risky business, are you?
> 
> 						John.


My immediate reaction when I heard about this "trust fund" is that there were 
a lot of well-intentioned people wanting to do something to "help" the 
children of the Challenger crew.  Since we cannot all have a personal, direct 
effect on the lives of the crew's children, the first thought is to "help"
them financially.  That is a nice gesture, although I am not sure that it is
apropos in this situation.

Consider that when we usually dig into our pockets to help others, those 
"others" are usually the hungry, homeless, disadvantaged, etc. people in our
world.  Now consider the crew of the Challenger.  These people were, at least,
living a middle-class life.  They were the "cream of the crop" and were 
aware of the risks they took in their work.  Insurance should have 
been an automatic part of their compensation.  I find it difficult
to believe that the financial aspects of their lives will be terribly 
disrupted.  Money cannot replace the lost spouse or parent.  Meanwhile,
millions of people around the world continue to live, rather exist, lives 
of uncertainty and hopelessness, where early death due to starvation and 
disease is a part of their daily life.  

In our attempts to show our support for the families of the Challenger crew, 
let us not forget that there are many others whose very existence depends 
upon our charity and generosity.  

Louise E. Osterman
Computer Corporation of America