At least the weather’s nice in Orlando.
According to BBC News, the final mission of Nasa’s Endeavour, which was meant to launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida earlier today, has been delayed at least 72 hours while “engineers investigate a hitch in a unit that powers the vehicle’s hydraulics.” The delay, along with disappointing thousands of space-lovers who flocked to Florida for the historic launch, will also cost upwards of $500,000 according to Space.com.
But that’s not the worst part. President Obama, who visited tornado-wrecked Tuscaloosa and met with Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley this morning, departed around noon for Florida to see Endeavor’s final launch. However, even after the announcement of the delay, Obama didn’t turn around. He made the trip to Kennedy anyway.
While there he leisurely strolled around the premises while scientists gave him a tour of the facilities, including a close-up look at the Atlantis orbiter, which will officially end the shuttle program with its launch slated for June 28.
With all the political baggage inherent in Obama’s morning trip to Alabama, you would think the opportunity to prolong his community service efforts would have come as a relief: he could help Alabama AND get to see the pretty space ship take-off, with no political repercussions. But that’s not the case.
I’d like to believe in Obama’s passion for community service and prowess in the political game, but this decision is anything but beneficial for his case.
Earlier today, Obama released this statement from the White House:
“In many places, the damage to homes and businesses is nothing short of catastrophic. We can’t control when or where a terrible storm may strike, but we can control how we respond to it. And I want every American who has been affected by this disaster to know that the federal government will do everything we can to help you recover, and we will stand with you as you rebuild.”
Way to stand with them, Obama!
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