ISS Commander Scott Kelly, who happens to be the brother-in-law of Gabrielle Giffords, the US Congresswoman who was shot Saturday in Arizona, recently led a tribute to the victims, lamenting that the planet he observed wasn’t a more peaceful one.
As I look out the window, I see a very beautiful planet that seems very inviting and peaceful…Unfortunately, it is not.
These days, we are constantly reminded of the unspeakable acts of violence and damage we can inflict upon one another, not just with our actions but also with our irresponsible words.
We are better than this. We must do better.
How frustrating, especially for someone with a personal connection with one of the victims, to be able to survey Earth in all its splendor while remaining acutely aware of the pain and destruction which lie therein. [BBC]