Bon Voyage, Uncle Walt

Walter Cronkite always wanted to ride in space. He loved the space program, and my fondest memories of him was his reporting on it. He often talked of his desire to go into space. Unfortunately, by the time space tourism started, he was too old or not in the necessary physical shape.

Now that he has passed, "Uncle Walt," as many called him, has taken his "spacewalk." Undoubtedly, if far surpassed any ride N.A.S.A. could have given him.

Walter Cronkite was a true icon of the Twentieth Century. He shaped broadcast news. Like many Americans, I grew up watching CBS Evening News and still do. He was a good role model for me as a teenager. I used his example -- to get the story, get it right and tell it straight -- in the research I did for different classes. He will be missed.

Garbage Dumping in Space

The Today Show had a news item this morning that the space station is "taking out the trash." That means they dump their garbage into space. One of the items mentioned was an ammonia tank.

Who do we think we are to be dumping our trash into space? Have we learned no respect for God's creation? Why would we not bring our space garbage back to earth for disposal? The space shuttle hauls equipment up to space. Why could it not bring the trash back?

Every once in awhile, I read reports from N.A.S.A. that they are concerned about space junk. Even small items can orbit for years and pose a hazard to our satellites and shuttles. Why then would the same agency allow garbage dumping in space?

In many national parks and forests, hikers and campers are expected to carry out their trash. Is it too much to expect the federal government to practice what it preaches? Environmentalists, where are you on this issue?