Cockburn: No Kool-Aid for Me

Alexander Cockburn adds his voice to those of us who haven't bought into the Reagan myths.

Cockburn brings up a touchy subject that NO ONE has really wanted to mention: the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy. The mainstream media focuses on the evening television address to the nation, but the real story--the one NEVER told--involves more than "normal" political pressure to launch the vehicle.

A number of engineers knew exactly what the problem was, and vehemently argued against the flight. Unfortunately, I can't find the source, but I distinctly remember reading that at least one individual watched the first seconds after liftoff with tremendous apprehension. After thinking they had snuck by, he breathed easier, only to see the worst seconds later.

Recall: Reagan was to deliver the SOTU address within several days of this event. As Cockburn points out, one segment of the speech included a pointed reference to "the teacher in space." No, no one's found a smoking gun--yet. But neither should we be wide-eyed naifs. Don't kid youself: the Republican political machine will stop at nothing when it comes to pursuing their agenda. Billmon makes the point nicely in this post.

I know there will, unfortunately, be a number of people who will go to thier OWN graves faithfully downing Big Gulp after Big Gulp of Reagan flavored myth. But it's good to know plenty of others have a taste for something different.