To the Point

Shuttle Columbia, Technology and America's Future

Americans and millions of others around the world are mourning the deaths of seven brave astronauts under circumstances few people can even imagine. Though the specific causes of the Columbia tragedy won-t be known for months, this weekend-s disaster has put the NASA space program under a microscope. Some critics complain that the shuttle and space station only exist to support each other, along with contractors in almost every Congressional district. We look at some of the lessons that might be learned-about science, human safety, the risks of complex technology-and the role of religion in keeping an audacious program in orbit with a NASA spokesman, a former head of its Goddard Space Flight Center, a political economist and a historian of technology. Making News: Bush Budget to Increase Defense Spending, Deficit President Bush today proposed his budget for 2004. Worth $2.2 trillion, it includes a record deficit Bush blames -on a recession and a war we did not choose,- but no extra money for a war on Iraq. William Schneider, senior political analyst for CNN, says the President-s priorities focus on fighting terrorism, homeland security and economic recovery. Reporter's Notebook: Vaclav Havel-s Legacy Prague Castle, home of the President of the Czech Republic, towers over the Prague. For the past two months, the ancient structure has been topped by a pulsating neon heart, copied from the signature of Vaclav Havel. Since leading the -Velvet Revolution- in 1989, the President has guided his country to democracy, membership in the EU and even NATO. Paul Wilson, who has translated several of Havel-s works, looks at Havel-s legacy.