The headline in the LBN forum doesn't quite convey the gravity of the situation:

US shuttle launch set for 1 July
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2343415&mesg_id=2343415


Some other sources, however...

Shuttle launch dispute
Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - 5 hours ago
FLORIDA -- NASA has set a launch date of July 1 for shuttle Discovery despite objections from its chief engineer and top safety officer. ...
Space shuttle doubts
Advertiser Adelaide, Australia - 5 hours ago
NASA managers say they will launch the first space shuttle in almost a year on July 1, despite recommendations against a lift-off attempt by the space agency's ...

NASA, Despite Dissent, Sets Shuttle Date
ABC News - 12 hours ago
Members of the Space Shuttle STS-121 crew head to a count down dress rehearsal at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Thursday, June 15, 2006. ...

NASA GOING WITH JULY 1 LAUNCH DATE AMID DISSENT
Houston Chronicle, United States - 15 hours ago
By MARK CARREAU. Top NASA officials on Saturday cleared Discovery for a July 1 launch, despite objections from the agency's chief ...

Best headline: (Sydney Morning Herald)
Shuttle to fly in face of hazard

AFTER a "spirited discussion", NASA officials have decided to launch the space shuttle Discovery as planned on July 1 - against the advice of its engineering and safety chiefs.

After a two-day meeting at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida that NASA's administrator, Michael Griffin, said involved "intensive and spirited exchange" about safety issues, authorities approved the shuttle flight, which would be the second since the Columbia tragedy in 2003.

At a televised news conference Mr Griffin said that he approved the 13-day flight because he did not feel it presented an undue risk to the crew, even though concerns remained about debris from the shuttle's external fuel tank that could damage the vehicle during the launch.

NASA's top safety official, Bryan O'Conner, and its chief engineer, Christopher Scolese, signed the flight plans, but noted their objections about proceeding without resolving the issue.

The potential problem was rated "probable/catastrophic" according to NASA's complex risk assessment criteria. This means it is more likely than not to cause a catastrophe at some time during the shuttle program.

More:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/shuttle-to-fly-in-face-of-hazard/2006/06/18/1150569210416.html


Also:

WorldNetDaily: NASA plans fake launch July 1st in another attempt to prove Secular theory that Earth is "round."
http://www.Imadethatlastoneup.com


More info:

<snip>

{Richard} Feynman was requested to serve on the presidential Rogers Commission which investigated the Challenger disaster of 1986. Drawing upon clues from a source with inside information, Feynman famously showed on television the crucial role in the disaster played by the booster's O-ring flexible gas seals with a simple demonstration using a glass of ice water, a clamp, and a sample of o-ring material. His opinion of the cause of the accident differed from the official findings and was considerably more critical of the role of management in sidelining the concerns of engineers. After much petitioning, Feynman's minority report was included as an appendix to the official document. The book What Do You Care What Other People Think? includes stories from Feynman's work on the commission. His engineering skill is reflected in his 98% estimate of the Space Shuttle's reliability, which is underscored by the two failures over the 114 flights of the Space Shuttle as of 2006.

More:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feynman

And:

Rogers Commission Report
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_Commission


And:

Rogers Commission Report
Appendix F - Personal observations on the reliability of the Shuttle
by R. P. Feynman
http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/51-l/docs/rogers-commission/Appendix-F.txt

amoung the many deaths for which I hold ronnie ray-gun responsible, those of the Challenger crew are right up there. he insisted that the flight go up, even in the face of grave concerns, and in unsuitable weather.

are we about to see another shuttle disaster?

is their motto

everything is ready and safe. I could see it if those in the space station were desperate, but they aren't and anything else can wait.

Makes you go, "hmmmmmm".

Trudy
www.pryorsplanet.com
www.richardpryor.com

They really do have a little problem with learning from history, don't they.

Idiots.

He expects a huge boost in his polls as he comes out all "compassionate" and reading From The Book of Jeezus to the nation and grinning while widdows cry on his shoulder.

He can't wait to have more rubble to pose in front of.

"Launch the shuttle on July 1st, and make sure there are fresh batteries in my megaphone. I've got some copassionating to do."

before everything is fixed? What is going to be on that shuttle? I can't seem to find any mention of what the launch is for...