When the Challenger exploded in 1986, we learned that the improper sealing of the o-rings around the main boosters caused the explosion. We also learned that NASA had been warned by engineers about the sealing, but proceeded with the launch, anyway. To make matters worse, NASA proceeded with the launch during bad weather.

Now, Columbia has exploded, though NASA was again repeatedly warned of danger. A former NASA engineer warned both NASA and the White House that there were enough safety problems in the shuttle program to bring about another disaster. In 2000, the General Accounting Office acknowledged the possible danger. As late as September, 2001, Senate hearings uncovered a plethora of safety problems in the program, but NASA continued to operate under budget.

There is no excuse. Either the shuttle flights should have been discontinued, or the budget should have been increased. It is hard to imagine that there would have been any budget increases for safety during the Osama Madness period, and since then, the White House has been preoccupied with either building the war machine or tearing down domestic programs that protect people and the environment.