Skylab Legacy

Forty years ago, NASA launched America’s first space station.  Skylab, built using leftover Saturn launch vehicle components, hosted three different crews.  The Skylab IV crew stayed for 84 days, a record in the US space program at that time.  Watching videos of the Skylab astronauts working and playing in a weightless environment was one thing that inspired me to study science and math.

After the last crew left Skylab, it was abandoned, its orbit slowly decaying over time.  NASA was busy developing the Space Shuttle and had no capability to return crews to Skylab.  When it appeared that the Space Shuttle might be ready to fly by 1979, NASA looked into reusing Skylab.  Unfortunately, greater-than-anticipated solar activity caused Skylab’s orbit to decay quickly, resulting in re-entry in 1979.  The Space Shuttle first flew in 1981, and the first elements of the International Space Station (ISS) flew in 1998.  In between 1981 and 1998, the US space program was constrained to flying in low Earth orbit for durations of two weeks or less.

Forty years later, we are in similar straits.  We have a space station, but no US launch capabilities to get a crew there.  We rely on a Russian launch vehicle and spacecraft to get our crews to the ISS and home safely.  We have plans for a new spacecraft and a launch vehicle to get crews to the ISS, but what mission comes next?  Current US space policy is to continue operating the ISS, begin crewed missions beyond the moon, and send humans to orbit Mars by the mid-2030s.  While these are big goals, where is the inspiration that accompanied Kennedy’s challenge to send us to the moon before the end of the 60’s?

The big difference between when NASA launched Skylab and today is that spaceflight has become so commonplace that it doesn’t pique the interest of most people.  So few students enter fields of study in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that the US Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and many technology companies  have partnered together to make STEM education a national priority.  I wonder if more technological feats in space would inspire kids to enter STEM fields.

Recently, ISS crew members performed an emergency spacewalk to replace a coolant pump.  Most spacewalks are planned weeks in advance of execution.  In this case, the spacewalk was planned and executed in the roughly 48 hours after a coolant leak occurred, demonstrating that we can work safely in space and repair systems when needed.  It is hardly surprising that there is more interest on the Internet over ISS Commander Chris Hadfield’s rendition of “Space Oddity” than the ISS crew’s success over a technological challenge. 

Another big difference is what we know today about space compared to the days of Skylab.  The ISS has been crewed continuously for nearly 13 years, with most crews staying for six months at a time.  We have wealth of knowledge on how to live and work in space, how space affects the human body--both physically and psychologically--and how to work in a weightless environment.  Furthermore, we’ve gained experience with the hardware, knowing what does and doesn’t work well in the space environment.  And we’ve learned some hard and painful lessons along the way.   Because we can track how far we have come, shouldn’t it inspire us to see how far we can go?

If our leaders are truly interested in inspiring students to enter STEM fields of study, what better way than to provide a space program that inspires.  To do that, our space program needs a mission with concrete, near-term goals and milestones and the resources to see it through.  Give NASA a goal, a milestone, and the resources to achieve the mission and then let NASA go do it.

Tell your Congressmen and Senators you want your space program to boldly go where no man has gone before.  In the process, we might just inspire the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

Running Towards Danger

I read that several of the victims from the Boston Marathon bombing are still in the hospital, many of them amputees.  I can’t imagine the pain and suffering, and the loss the victims and their families must be feeling.  Not only the tragedy of the Boston Marathon bombing victims, but also those affected by the plant explosion in West, Texas.  My prayers go out to all the victims and their families.  But in all the tragedy, I was reminded that there is still hope for this country.

A friend directed me to a video showing the Boston Marathon bomb blasts and pointed out that when the bombs went off, most people ran away.  But a great number of people ran towards the blast.  Why would someone run towards danger? Are they foolhardy or just willing to put themselves in harm’s way to help someone else? 

These people ran to help the blast victims, not knowing the cause of the blast or whether another blast might occur. Yet they ran towards danger.  Some were professional first responders, paid to go into harm’s way, but many were not.  They were just people willing to help.  Most of the people who died in the blast in West, Texas were volunteer fireman responding to a fire at the plant.  Many of the victims of the World Trade Center act of terrorism were first responders responding to the crisis. 

The people who run towards danger don’t do it only when big things happen, they do it every day.  Not only our servicemen, but firemen, policemen, and EMTs run towards danger.  They put themselves in harm’s way to aid and protect us.  While I don’t think it is a uniquely American trait, I do believe it is a trait that makes this country strong. We should thank God that there are people in this country who are willing to risk their safety to help others.  And we should follow their example.

I’m advocating that we should worry a little less about saving ourselves from inconvenience and more about rescuing our communities.  I’m not advocating running into burning buildings or into the fallout of an explosion.  Volunteer at a soup kitchen or food bank.  Sign up to read to children at the local library.  Volunteer at a school or local charity.  Be a mentor at a Boys or Girls Club.  Do something to help your community and the people in it.  The professionals and everyday people that became heroes in Texas and Boston set the bar high.  Your challenge may not be running towards danger, but be someone’s hero and change a life.

Helping the Healing

My child had non-emergency surgery this week.  Although I knew the surgery was going to happen for quite a while, when it came time for my child to be wheeled back to the operating room, it was quite emotional for me.  The heartache and mental anguish I felt when strangers wheeled my baby away was almost overwhelming.  But, my family is lucky, blessed really.  Ministers and church members were with us to pray before surgery and to sit with us during the surgery.  We had many get-well-wishes from friends and family both near and far.  The prayers, the thoughts and acts of kindness helped me to get through this both emotionally and spiritually.  I am grateful to everyone who texted, emailed, called or just sent good-thoughts in general.  I am especially grateful to everyone who prayed, I can’t thank you enough.

As my child, swollen and bloodied from surgery, lay in the hospital bed sleeping, I thanked God for a successful surgery and prayed for a quick and complete recovery.  However, as I reflected on the day, I began to wonder about those parents who watch their child, broken and bleeding from some trauma or injury, and how they deal with the heartache and anguish.  How do parents, watching their child fight the ravages of cancer or debilitating disease, survive and function to carry on another day?  Are they blessed with the support of friends and church to help them soldier on or are they alone with no one to support or care?

And what about the parents who, while suffering through their child’s medical troubles, have to worry about the out-of-pocket costs of treatment or whether insurance will pay? How do you practically live at the hospital, knowing you may have to sell your home to pay for treatment?

How do we help these people in their time of trouble? How do we let them know that there is a support network of people who care?  We can help by donating our money and our time.

There are many charities, both local and national, that accept monetary donations.  Ronald McDonald House Charities provide housing, at little or no costs, so families can stay close to their hospitalized child.  Shriners Hospitals for Children have hospitals that specialize in orthopedics, burn care, cleft lip and palate repair, and spinal cord injuries, and patients are accepted based on medical need, not ability to pay.  St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is dedicated to finding cures and preventative means to stop devastating and often tragic childhood diseases.  They too, accept patients based on medical need, not the ability to pay.

Closer to home, many hospitals have organizations with volunteers to help patients and families by serving as patient escorts, information clerks, or as hosts in critical care waiting areas.  Not only do these volunteers provide valuable services to the patients and families, they free up hospital resources or reduce hospital costs.

Some hospitals also have hospitality houses or apartments, providing housing for family members while their child is hospitalized.  Many are run by non-profit organizations that rely on donations and volunteers to keep them operating. 

Help these families and children in their time of need by donating to one of these or other patient services organizations.  Volunteer your time, either by serving as a volunteer or by helping with fundraising activities.  Sometimes it’s as simple as participating in a local fundraising fun run or bake sale, manning a phone, or saying prayers.  This is a time of great need.   Remember the Golden Rule and do onto others as you would like them to do unto you.  Be part of the blessing and provide comfort to a family struggling with a medical crisis. Get involved and help.  

Mistaken Philosophy

Cynthia Tucker is a Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist.  Long ago, I learned that I rarely agree with anything she writes.  However, her latest missive, Ben Carson, admirable man with a mistaken philosophy, caught my eye, so I read her article.  As it turns out, I still disagree with Ms. Tucker.  In this case, I believe she’s the one with a mistaken philosophy.

Ben Carson is the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital.  Until a few weeks ago, I’d never heard of him, but his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast in February attracted a lot of media attention.  In his speech, Carson commented on social and fiscal issues such as political correctness, education, and the national debt.  Some pundits argued that his speech, conservative in nature, was disrespectful to President Obama, who was in attendance.  Others have argued that his blunt, honest speech was exactly what the country needs to hear.

Dr. Carson and his brother were raised by single mother, who could barely read, but realized that education would give her sons greater opportunities. She limited their TV and required them to read.  In his speech, Dr. Carson talked about his mother and he talked about how reading led him to a different discovery.  He said, “I began to see that the person who has the most to do with you and what happens to you in life is you. You make decisions. You decide how much energy you want to put behind that decision. And I came to understand that I had control of my own destiny. And at that point I didn’t hate poverty anymore, because I knew it was only temporary. I knew I could change that. It was incredibly liberating for me, made all the difference.” Dr. Carson, it seems believes that hard work, education, and responsibility are the keys to success.

In her column, Ms. Tucker takes issue with Dr. Carson’s philosophy.  She states, “Yet, black Americans know better than to believe those traits are enough to guarantee success.”  She goes on to state that between 2000 and 2010, the number of black Americans living in poverty rose from 22.5% to 27.4%.  She then asks, “Was there a sudden outbreak of indolence among black folk over that period? Or were there outside forces that conspired to knock them back down the economic ladder?” I would suggest that the problem is, in large part, a lack of education and personal responsibility.

A report by the National Center for Education Statistics shows the high school graduation rate for the school year 2009-2010 for black students was 66.1%.  The same report shows a dropout rate of 8%. The Alliance for Excellent Education estimates that the average annual income of a high school dropout in 2009 was $19,540. By comparison, a high school graduate’s average income was $27,380 and people with associate’s and bachelor’s degrees made even more.  Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that high school dropouts have a higher unemployment rate during an economic recession than high school or college graduates.  So, education does play a part in earning potential.

A National Center for Health Statistics report indicates that 72% of the black births in 2011 were to unmarried women.  Numerous studies have shown that children in single parent homes are more likely to drop out of school.  The majority of single black mothers have no high school diploma and are limited to low or minimum wage jobs.  Because these jobs often don’t pay enough to cover the costs of child care, more than half of single black mothers are not in the work force, but receive public assistance to provide food and housing.

The Bureau of Judicial Statistics data indicates that blacks make up roughly 38% of the male prison population in this country.  Most of these men are in jail for drug-related offenses.  A Harvard study published in the American Sociological Review, indicates that the number of jobs available to ex-convicts is less and the average wages of those who do find employment is almost 25% less than the wages of those never incarcerated. 

While education, hard work, and personal responsibility don’t guarantee a person will become a famous neurosurgeon, a Pulitzer-prize winning author, or President of the United States, in this country, these attributes can raise a person out of a life destined for poverty.  And, without education and personal responsibility, a life of poverty is pretty much a guarantee. 

Set goals for yourself.  Be personally responsible for your own success and make choices that help you meet your goals.  Take advantage of the education opportunities offered by the local schools, trade schools, colleges, and universities and build a foundation for success.  Make education important and commit to graduating.  If you cannot afford formal training, get a library card and read books on subjects that interest you.  It’s never too late to learn something new. 

Ms. Tucker does point out a mistaken philosophy in her column, but it’s not Dr. Carson’s philosophy that is mistaken.  The mistaken philosophy is believing the media and its excuses about the unimportance of person responsibility in personal success. 

He is Risen!

"Why seek ye the living among the dead?  He is not here, but is risen" (Gospel of Luke, chapter 24)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Happy Easter and may the blessings of the Lord fall upon you and yours.

Legislating from the Bench

The US Supreme Court is hearing arguments this week on two cases concerning same-sex marriage.  The first case, Hollingsworth v. Perry, is an appeal of a lower court ruling that determined California’s law banning same-sex marriage, known as Proposition 8, unconstitutional.  The second case, US v. Windsor, is an appeal of a lower court ruling that determined part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional.  It seems every media outlet is covering the story and many are hoping the Court will address the legitimacy of same-sex marriage.  I hope the Court will do what our founding fathers intended them to do, uphold the Constitution and preserve the rule of law.   So whose responsibility is it?

The US Constitution does not give Congress the power to pass laws that define marriage.  That power is reserved, by the 10^th Amendment, to the states.  Therefore, Congress does not have the authority to pass DOMA.  The Court should not rule whether the language in the law is constitutional or not, since the Court does not have the power to enact such law. This may seem like a minor distinction, but it’s an important one; the Court should only rule on the constitutionality of Congressional actions, to rule on the constitutionality of the language goes beyond preserving the rule of law and delves into setting national policy.  That’s not what the Supreme Court is supposed to do, but when it does, it often causes damage that is difficult to reverse.

In 1857, the US Supreme Court ruled in Dredd Scott v. Sandford that “Persons of African descent cannot be, nor were ever intended to be, citizens under the U.S. Constitution.”  Chief Justice Taney based his argument on statements from one of the signers of the Constitution, not the words of the Constitution.  Furthermore, he ruled that Congress did not have the power to prohibit slavery in US territories, although Article IV of the US Constitution provides Congress with the authority to “make all needful Rules and Regulations.”

In Plessy v. Ferguson, the Court ruled that racial segregation (“separate but equal”) was constitutional.  In Korematsu v. United States, the Court ruled that sending US citizens of Japanese descent to internment camps during World War II was constitutional.  That is, the US government could deprive US citizens of life, liberty, or property without due process based on their race or ancestry.

I want the Court to preserve the rule of law and uphold the Constitution in this case, but I’m afraid that some of the justices will rule beyond their authority.  That’s because many of our federal judges have been appointed to the bench based, not on their legal expertise or willingness to follow the law, but on their political ideology.

Former Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Schumer, in a 2001 New York Times op-ed piece, declared that senators should approve or reject a federal court nominee “depending on three factors: the extent to which the president himself makes his initial selections on the basis of a particular ideology, the composition of the courts at the time of the nomination and the political climate of the day.”  Joseph Califano, Jr., an important figure in Democratic Party, stated in an August 2001 Washington Post op-ed piece entitled “Yes, Litmus-Test Judges”, that the Senate, when confirming a court nominee, should “take enough time to give these men and women the kind of searching review that their sweeping power to make national policies deserves”.

Judges should not make policy.  Yet, Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor made comments, prior to her appointment to the Court, about how her sex and ethnicity shaped her judicial decisions and that a “court of appeals is where policy is made.”  Justice Kagan, prior to her appointment, wrote that the Supreme Court should examine governmental motives when deciding First Amendment cases. 

With the federal government willing to ignore the US Constitution more and more, we need federal court judges that abide by the Constitution and preserve the rule of law.  How do we ensure that?  Mark Levin, in his book Men in Black, provides several ideas.  Among these are term limits or a reconfirmation process.  Congress can implement a term limit or reconfirmation process by changing the law found in Title 28 of the US Code.  Second, we can contact our Senators and let them know that we want them to confirm judges, not policy makers.

The US Constitution put forth a system of checks and balances to keep any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.  Presidents, by appointing judges based on ideology, and the Senate, by confirming those same appointees, has not kept the Court in check.  They have, in effect, established a panel of policy makers who govern without the consent of the governed.

Manly Advice

I recently picked my daughter up from school. While waiting in a parking lot across from the school, I watched a group of teenage boys standing around smoking, cursing, and generally trying to act cool.  I know nearly every high school has a group of kids like this, but I wondered how these kids got here and where they were heading in the future.

I’m sure that for some their behavior is a rebellion against their parents, just as it was in my day.  And I believe that some will eventually grow up and become productive adults with kids of their own.  Given that nearly one in three kids in the US live without a father in the house (Washington Times, December 2012) many of these kids don’t have a strong male role model at home.  And, you sure won’t find a good male role model on TV or in the movies!

I related my observations about these kids to a colleague the other day.  My colleague asked me, “If you could talk to these kids for 15 minutes, what would you tell them?”  Good question.  I thought long and hard about what I would say.  If I had an opportunity to talk to these boys, here’s what I would tell them…

First, cursing in public and other rude behavior may make you appear cool to your friends, but you come across as a jerk to everyone else.  Being polite, courteous, and well-mannered will cost you nothing, but it implies a sense of class.

Second, Young ladies are NOT sex toys made just for your pleasure and should not be treated as such, regardless of their behavior.  You are not free to run your hands under their skirt or blouse or touch any part of their body without explicit permission.  No means no. Period.  Taking advantage of a young lady who is too drunk or stoned to say yes or no is rape.

Third, if you think you are man enough to have sex, be man enough to take responsibility.  You are responsible for protecting both you and your partner from pregnancy and STDs.  If you aren’t financially and emotionally prepared to be a father and support a child, you shouldn’t be having sex.  And at no time should you pressure someone to have sex.

Fourth, you are known by the company you keep.  If your buds are stoners, vandals, or other low-life types, then people will assume you are the same.  Be man enough to get a good high school education. Being stupid in school may appear cool to your friends, but without a good education, you’ll be a loser as an adult in a dead end job, on welfare, or in jail. 

Fifth, whether you like it or not, the world will judge you by your appearance.  Grungy clothes, weird hair color, piercings and holes in your ear lobes large enough for a small dog to jump through are likely to turn off a prospective employer.  Think twice before you get that piercing or tattoo. And remember, if your dress or appearance is dramatically different from everyone else don’t complain about the adverse attention you get.  First impressions are usually based on how you look and it takes a lot of effort to change a bad first impression.

Sixth, have a plan.  What do you want to be when you grow up? Is it realistic?  How do you plan to get there?  Will that job sustain a family? Whether you plan to go into skilled labor, get job requiring a degree (or advanced degrees), or plan to be a professional athlete, rock star, actor, etc., it will take effort, and in some cases, a good deal of luck, to achieve that goal.  It’s ok to have a dream, but have a realistic backup plan. Be prepared to work and pay your dues.

Seventh, be fiscally responsible.  Know how to balance a check book, never borrow more than you can pay back, and learn to control your money.  If the money coming in is less than the money going out month after month, you’ve got a problem. Find ways to stop spending more than you have.  Too many people are overwhelmed with debt because they can’t control their spending.  We cannot have everything we want.  And, sometimes saving up to afford something, like a new car, makes it mean just a little more to you and you will take better care of it.

Eighth, learn to clean house, wash clothes, and cook.  A man dependent on someone else to cook, clean, or wash is as helpless as a small child. Being able to do these things for yourself not only makes you more attractive to the opposite sex, but it may keep you from getting into a relationship out of need rather than desire.

Ninth, have a hobby.  Better yet, have a hobby that doesn’t involve electronics, or at least electronic games.  Read, play an instrument, garden, restore cars, hike, go camping, take up a sport, do something that exercises your mind, your body, or both.  It will make you more interesting to others around you.  It may also become your therapy when things in your life don’t work out as you planned.

Tenth, make a good first impression.  When introduced to someone, give them a firm handshake and look them in the eye.  A limp handshake is not masculine at all and not looking them in the eye is dismissive.  Speak clearly and don’t mumble.  Learn the art of small talk.  Awkward silence makes everyone uncomfortable.  I’m not saying this is easy, but with practice, it will become second nature.

Eleventh, your character, not your sexual orientation should be what defines you.  Be a man of good moral character such that when people describe you, they use words like honesty, kindness, integrity, and honor. Your sexuality shouldn’t be the most important facet of your character.

Finally, respect is not a right, but an earned privilege. It cannot be demanded and it is not given freely.  If you are not a person deserving of respect, that may cause you a lot of frustration.  Be respectable and more often than not, you will be treated with respect.