# We are happy \[the Space Shuttle\] broke up." **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 1, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148 "2003-02-01T19:45:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![milroyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@milroyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milroyj)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/281 "2003-02-03T05:43:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mswas \* > **However, CNN despite private funding is a complete tool of the state. It spews the party line completely, all the time. I don’t trust CNN one bit, and if they are given the most complete access of anyone, I don’t think I’ll be seeing even 10% of what they are seeing let alone 10% of what’s actually happening.** I don’t trust CNN either, albeit for different reasons. But to call it a “tool of the state”? Begala, Carville, King, and Chung are “tools” of the state? I’d bet they would beg to differ. ---
**Author:** ![randy054](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/54ee81/32.png) [@randy054](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randy054)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/282 "2003-02-03T05:48:34Z")
Heres some comments I have come across: This one from shiachat: [http://www.shiachat.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=19&t=4998&st=0](http://www.shiachat.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=19&t=4998&st=0) This one is from the moderator: Dear Zionist. Now that you are dead, probably surrounded by the many Muslim souls that you and trash like your father killed, I hope that you burn in the pits of hell. You got what you deserve, you give some you get some. As for the rest of the inoccent souls that died on that mission, may God have mercy upon those who deserve it amongst you. Ever since that space shuttle lifted up and that cursed Israeli flag was on every TV, having that dirty zionist being the “first Israeli to be in space” was haunting me. I’m glad God sent him right back down to earth and even lower before he could make it back. [http://www.shiachat.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=19&t=4991](http://www.shiachat.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=19&t=4991) The U.S , Israel and India …Three big enemies of Islam. And people from all three…burnt to death in the space shuttle incident in Dallas !! Also from Pakistan: while the entire (sane) world seemed shocked at this tragedy, Pakistan Television Programme News Night hosted a Cleric who said Allah’s wrath had killed an Israeli, an Indian and 5 Americans abaord Columbia to send a message to these Countries to repent and apologise for the anti islamic “crusade” they indulged in on the path of “kufr”… surprisingly, the state owned PakTV host was also making no effort to hide his glee. THIS IS PATHETIC a leader of the jamaat-e-islaami (2’nd largest political party) in pakistan has congratulated fellow muslims and said that the divine justice through the death of the kaafirs (1jew, 1hindu, 5 christians) in the sky was for the blood spilt by these people in palestine, afghanistan and kashmir … and ended with his call to the faithfull to mobilize against the enemy as this was a sign from heaven that allah was with them ---
**Author:** ![milroyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@milroyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milroyj)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/283 "2003-02-03T05:51:31Z")
> [@](#): > > As for Iraqi oil fires, I have read, and can provide a cite, saying that many of the oil fires were started by American Napalm Now you’re just being stupid, and juvenile. Everything bad that happens in the world, and on Mars and Jupiter, is America’s fault. Ok, right. American Napalm started the fires? Do you talk to the little green men in your backyard, as well? ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/284 "2003-02-03T07:45:19Z")
milroyj: It’s not out of the realm of possibility. I know that doesn’t fit in your naive little world where not only would CNN see everything in a war, but also dutifully report it. Hell it’s up to you what to believe, if thinking America is perfect is worth it to you then fine. Or if you’re willing to admit America isn’t perfect as long as no one brings up specific examples. You’re just a blind patriot, and blindness is ignorance, and I’m afraid I can’t respect that. Ignorance is not a lack of knowledge, it’s denying the knowledge when it’s presented. Now I said you should take that cite with a grain of salt, but if you can provide verifiable cites that Saddam started EACH AND EVERY oil fire, I’d like to see it. War is hell, and both sides are the demons. Erek ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/285 "2003-02-03T08:21:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by martin\_ibn\_martin \* > \*\*Was that wager tossed off in vain? > > A quick trip to my mosque would locate a few arabs who mourn the death of nearly anyone. > > Will a signed affidavit do? Videotape? If I find half a dozen, will you do Rumsfeld as well? > > hehe > > Salaams, > > Martin \*\* Thanks **martin\_ibn\_martin**. I’m glad that you can confirm my belief that the person who yipped with glee over the shuttle tragedy is NOT a representative of ALL people Arabic and/or Islamic. Oh, and if I can get more than half a dozen, d’ya reckon they might do John ‘Brown-Nose’ Howard as well? At least it might shut him up for a few hours or so. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/286 "2003-02-03T10:17:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by milroyj \* > \*\*Well then, in your country, things are quite different. NPR, and to a lesser extent PBS, in this country, are slanted left. While that may be all fine and dandy with the SDMB, or Americans in general, it is NOT unbiased. \*\* The Right attacks the BBC for being left-biased, and the Left attacks the BBC for being right-biased. They must be doing something right. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/287 "2003-02-03T10:41:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by milroyj \* > \*\*Please present your cite that “thousand of people died” in the Gulf War. Civilians, I mean. \*\* > [@](#): > > [http://www.hrw.org/reports/1991/gulfwar/INTRO.htm](http://www.hrw.org/reports/1991/gulfwar/INTRO.htm) > As noted, these accounts provide only a partial view, not a comprehensive survey, of the civilian casualties during the air war. Middle East Watch concludes that the number of Iraqi civilians killed as a direct result of injury from allied bombs and missiles will ultimately be calculated in the thousands, not the hundreds. At the same time, we are reasonably confident that the total number of civilians killed directly by allied attacks did not exceed several thousand, with an upper limit of perhaps between 2,500 and 3,000 Iraqi dead. These numbers, we note, do not include the substantially larger number of deaths that can be attributed to malnutrition, disease and lack of medical care caused by a combination of the U.N.-mandated embargo and the allies’ destruction of Iraq’s electrical system, with its severe secondary effects (see Chapter Four). ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/288 "2003-02-03T10:41:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by milroyj \* > \*\*The idea that the BBC is “unbiased” is laughable at best. How was their reporting on your Troubles if I can ask? \*\* SDorry to return to this point after two pages, but I would rather take the BBC reporting on Northern Ireland than any of the Newspapers in the UK (with the possible exception of the Guardian). They will present both sides of the arguement, and present as many viewpoints are they can. also, if you think they would be biased towards their government sponsors, I invite you to watch Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight interviewing a minister or a government spokesperson sometime. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/289 "2003-02-03T11:02:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mswas \* > \*\*You’re just a blind patriot, and blindness is ignorance, and I’m afraid I can’t respect that. Ignorance is not a lack of knowledge, it’s denying the knowledge when it’s presented. > > \*\* Actually, ignorance _IS_ a lack of knowledge. Denying the knowledge is called _denial_. Minor nitpick. Please, continue. ---
**Author:** ![Estilicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Estilicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Estilicon)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/290 "2003-02-03T11:20:05Z")
Milrojy > [@](#): > > Please present your cite that “thousand of people died” in the Gulf War. Civilians, I mean I refused on the ground that is common knowledge that and the fact it was 1:00 P.M. and very hot. > [@](#): > > Bullshit, amigo. You made the statement that America was planning on “saturation bombing”, which we are not. It is up to you to prove otherwise. You didn’t ask me a cite to prove this, I posted your exact words. You fucking lyar. Yojimbo answered your request. > [@](#): > > I said: In desert storm we only saw what the pentangon showed us, I was 10 or 11 years old but I distinctly remember that the most dramatic shot was a penguin (or a similar bird) covered with oil. > [@](#): > > Why don’t you go kiss a penguin? I could be wrong, but I seriously doubt there are penguins in Iraq, outside of zoos. Moron. Read my words imbecile. Being an argentinian every big fat bird living in water makes me think of a penguin but because I am not a biologist I said it could be a similar bird. Do you even read other people posts or you just twist them to match your anwers. I am not a fanatic monty you are fairly confident your weapons will only target military assests despite all the contrary evidence we could see in Afghanistan. I can’t provide a cite because this information came in the latest issue of Noticias Magazine which according to that magazine policy will only be online next week. But the report is from the U.N. I am no good in google perhaps someone will be kind enough to look it up in the net: In the first 72 hours of war. 500.000 Irakies will be in need of inmediate medical assistance. 2 million refugees. If goverment distribution of food breaks down (probable scenario) 10 million will face hunger. In that scenario thousands will die, unfortunately we will never know just as we don’t know how many civilians were killed in your latest war. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/291 "2003-02-03T15:07:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by milroyj \* > \*\*Now you’re just being stupid, and juvenile. Everything bad that happens in the world, and on Mars and Jupiter, is America’s fault. Ok, right. > \*\* Well, wasn’t it a comet named after Americans (Shoemaker-Levy) that crashed into Jupiter? 😃 Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/292 "2003-02-03T15:38:26Z")
Nine. I mean yeas, it was. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/293 "2003-02-03T16:11:56Z")
So, estilicon the budding lawyer, seems to be completely unfamiliar with the concepts of debate, assertion, and proof. Fascinating. Truly fascinating. ---
**Author:** ![oldscratch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ed655f/32.png) [@oldscratch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oldscratch)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/294 "2003-02-03T16:52:21Z")
So much to respond to. I’ll pass on most of it. I’d just like to humbly submit the idea that this article was considered newsworthy because it would help inflame passions against the Iraqis. Which it seems to have done. As for CNN being [unbiased](http://www.counterpunch.org/cnnpsyops.html) ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/295 "2003-02-03T17:13:57Z")
Well, since universal glee at the deaths of the Colimbia astronauts is not being expressed across the Arab world (although the gleeful/mournful percentages do look to be something north of 51/49), I will have to apologize generally and prepare to give hummers to some of the Bush administration, followed by thorough gargling with lye. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/296 "2003-02-03T17:19:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*I will have to apologize generally and prepare to give hummers to some of the Bush administration, followed by thorough gargling with lye. \*\* please couldn’t you do the gargling w/lye thing _first_??? ---
**Author:** ![Estilicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Estilicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Estilicon)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/297 "2003-02-03T18:49:18Z")
And Monty the ex sailor seems to be an adept of funny two-liners. Fascinating truly fascinating ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/298 "2003-02-03T21:45:49Z")
Estilicon: This has apparently escaped your notice. This board’s stated intent is to eradicate ignorance, not perpetuate it. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2003, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/299 "2003-02-03T23:33:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spooje \* > \*\*Actually, ignorance _IS_ a lack of knowledge. Denying the knowledge is called _denial_. > > Minor nitpick. > > Please, continue. \*\* My general understanding of the word ignorance is due to the root word “ignore” you cannot ignore something if it has never been presented to you. Most often when I think of ignorance I think of the christian precept of AVOIDING knowledge. So in otherwords when I think of ignorance I don’t think of lack of education, I think of avoidance of it. “I don’t know how the space shuttle works” - not ignorant “What do I need to know how the space shuttle works for?” - ignorant Erek ---
**Author:** ![Estilicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Estilicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Estilicon)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148/300 "2003-02-04T01:19:12Z")
Again two lines. Next time write three and I’ll take you seriously. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-happy-the-space-shuttle-broke-up/152148.md?page=16)