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From: vgfranceschi@watcgl.UUCP (Valerio Franceschin)
Newsgroups: net.columbia,net.philosophy
Subject: Re: Escape tower for shuttle orbiter?
Message-ID: <525@watcgl.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 26-Mar-86 22:49:19 EST
Article-I.D.: watcgl.525
Posted: Wed Mar 26 22:49:19 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 27-Mar-86 06:41:40 EST
References: <9696@ucla-cs.ARPA> <588@qantel.UUCP>
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Xref: watmath net.columbia:2708 net.philosophy:4691

> In article <11035@amdcad.UUCP> mike@amdcad.UUCP (Mike Parker) writes:
> >
> >>   I have not touched on this kind of a trade-off, because I don't see any
> >>real situation where we would have to make a choice between saving the
> >>shuttle orbiter *or* the crew.  But, *if* this choice were necessary, it
> >>seems clear to save the orbiter.
> >>                                     -- David desJardins
> >
>    Yes, I mean it.  I have no reservations at all.  If it was my finger
> on the button I would push it with no hesitation.
>    And yes, I would tell them that the orbiter was more important than
> the astronaut's lives.  I think most of them would agree.  Maybe that is
> too optimistic of me, but certainly I think the astronauts themselves
> would agree.
> 
>    -- David desJardins

I read the original posting several days ago and at the time I decided to
restrain myself and not reply to it.  My feeling is that it would be futile 
to try to reason with such a mentality.  I accept the fact that there are
many people out there who have absolutely no sense of decency, that's why
our world is in such a mess.  I've now decided that I can't just let this go
by.  I want to say to you, Mr. desJardins, and the (hopefully few) others
like you, that I hope you are never in a position to make such life and
death decisions.  If you are, I hope the family and friends of the people
you let die "with no hesitation" come ringing at your door.  Then you can 
try to justify your murderous act to them.  You can also try to explain it
to me and to the rest of the country.  I think you know what my response
would be.  And despite your "optimism", I think most people would agree
with such a response.

For those of you who are all ready to ramble on about cost-vs-safety, this
has got nothing to do with what I'm talking about here.  Spend a couple of
moments and try to see that.

Valerio Franceschin