Astronauts Cleared

In yet another case of sensationalized media rush to judgement, NASA astronauts are cleared of charges of being drunk before launching into space. (If you missed it, note Charles Krauthammer's eloquent defense of such, if so). WSJ:

"I was unable to verify any case in which an astronaut spaceflight crewmember was impaired on launch day" or any case where a manager disregarded warnings from another NASA employee that an astronaut not fly, said Mr. O'Connor's report.

NASA bans risky activities a year before astronauts are cleared for takeoff, and will add excessive drinking to the list, which includes motorcycle racing, parachuting, and firefighting. Some guys do risk for a living--and much of it is absolutely necessary and admirable.