Lost In Space
It is sad. Not scary ... just sad. I actually feel sorry for this woman. She just came unglued and let her emotions get away from her. The paraphernalia she had with her (BB-gun, knife, rubber hose, disguise, pepper spray) demonstrates to me at least a distinct separation from reality. Stress and emotions can do that to you. I have to think though that deep down she knew what she was doing was wrong and she never intended to harm anyone. The whole thing about the diapers just seals the case for temporary loss of anchorage. Her boat lost its rudder, if you will.
Twice in my life I have had the extreme displeasure to become involved with women who went bonkers on me and acted just as bizarrely. One young lady went AWOL from the USAF, drove halfway across the country, managed to work her way past the front gate of the base I had been transferred to and suddenly showed up in the men’s barracks I had been assigned to. All because I had helped her study for her promotion exams. No romance, no sex. It’s just that I may have been the first person who ever tried to help her in her entire life and therein lies a story that I had best keep to myself. I hope she is doing well these days.
The point is you too probably had a similar experience if you’ve lived long enough or you know someone close to you who has. Put a human being under enough stress and throw in a grab bag of emotions and you’ve got a recipe for freaky behavior. The little voice that tells us when we’re full of crap suddenly goes quiet or is drowned out by the roaring passion of the moment. It can happen to any of us. Even the most stable, rock-solid individuals can break under strain. In fact, those are the ones who freak out the worst. Think Hannibal Lector.
No, I don’t think Lisa Marie Nowak is a criminal. I’m just thankful the woman she attacked in Orlando was able to get away safely. Otherwise there’s no telling what Nowak would have done to her with her BB-gun. Nowak’s career is ruined, her marriage is on the rocks and she still faces serious charges. She needs time to heal, get her act back together and get on with her life. It’s time for the media to just go away and let everyone involved sort things out amongst themselves.
Speaking of the media, why is it that they only show up when things go terribly wrong? Is bad news all that matters nowadays? If so, what does that tell us about ourselves, the viewing public, who sit and watch these spectacles daily? Perhaps we all need to step back and decide if maybe we too may be just a little too close to that fine line between “normal” and what lies on the other side. Who knows? ... You may now beam me up, Mister Scott ...
Jeff Parker - Florida Today
NASA Will Review Psychological Screening Process
For Astronauts Following Lisa Nowak’s Arrest
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) – 3:42 p.m. February 7, 2007
NASA said Wednesday it will examine its psychological screening process for astronauts in light of the bizarre behavior by shuttle astronaut Lisa Nowak, who is charged with attempted murder.
The review will look at how astronauts are screened for psychological problems and whether Nowak showed any signs of trouble in her dealings with co-workers. Some recommendations could be issued as early as June, said Deputy NASA Administrator Shana Dale in Washington.
Nowak showed no signs of instability before her arrest Monday on charges that she tried to kidnap and harm a woman she viewed as a romantic rival for the attentions of astronaut William Oefelein, NASA officials said in a Houston news conference.
Nowak was arrested at Orlando International Airport early Monday after she tried to force her way into the car of Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman, police said. Officers found in Nowak’s car or in her possession a disguise, pepper spray, a BB-gun, a new steel mallet, knife and rubber tubing.
“Folks were shocked and concerned,” said Robert Cabana, deputy director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston. It’s a fact of life that astronauts live in a high-stress environment, not just in the hazard of space but in the offices of Johnson Space Center where astronauts vigorously compete for mission assignments.
Sometimes astronauts, especially those from a military background, compartmentalize their emotions, Cabana said. “It’s a trait we’re taught from the beginning of our training,” he said. During the selection process, astronauts are subjected to two-hour interviews with a psychiatrist and a psychologist and those findings are presented to a review board.
Although there are no formal psychological exams for astronauts flying on shuttles, physicians are trained to look for behavioral problems during their annual physicals, said Dr. Jeffrey Davis, director of space and life sciences at the Johnson Space Center.
The space agency also provides counseling for any employee who seeks it, and some astronauts can get additional sessions for trips to space. No astronaut should feel stigmatized for seeking mental health help, Cabana said. “It doesn’t prevent anybody from future spaceflight assignments or anything else,” he said.
skip, you are 100% correct about the human psyche, every one of us is susceptible of losing it when the stress-o-meter pegs and keeps on pegging longer than one can bear, but i’m not so sure i’m feeling that generous about letting this O6 off the hook.
O6’s of all branches of the military are a special breed. Some ascend to the rank of full bird using their God given leadership abilities and some get there as a result of some really dispicable behaviour or set asides. I’m not sure which category Captain Nowak belongs to.
I do know this, your typical O6 is so used to everybody kissing their ass and receiving special priviledge, I’m not surprised that this one felt she was perfectly within her rights to put the O3 in her place.
Them astronauts are the ultimate risk takers and are cool cookies under extreme pressure. I find it hard to believe that ego and priviledge wasn’t the driving factor.
Posted by Kuso JiJi
02/08/2007 at 08:20 AM
Looking at the photos, after her arrest, you can see a distinct difference in her appearance, and I’m not talking about the obvious (her hair being messy, no make up, etc.), I’m talking about her eyes in particular. She looks confused, desperate, definitely not in control. I’m not excusing her actions, but I agree with you, skipper, she should get the help she needs, to go along with any punishment that’s meeted out.
Posted by MikeyB
02/08/2007 at 08:54 AM
It is sad. Clearly a broken woman. It is hard to imagine she was freed - she certainly would seem to be a danger to herself, if not others.
ASFA the psych screenings - lets to the postal system before we do NASA....
02/08/2007 at 11:57 AM
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