That’s ’cause he’s a pacifist.

>>>Launch remains scheduled for Saturday, July 1, at 3:49 p.m. EDT!

Today in the Houston Chronicle, William Readdy, former shuttle astronaut, wrote that, well, they’re ready:

There has been much hand-wringing surrounding the review.

The promise of “better later” is always tempting, but despite the best of intentions, a better fix “right around the corner” seldom turns out to be possible either. Those arguments were made, details were dissected and all viewpoints were heard.

In this case, the ascent environment is so complex that another wind tunnel test or more computer simulations won’t improve our understanding or validate the improvements already incorporated — only flight test in real world conditions will — just as when test pilot and shuttle commander Eileen Collins and her crew flew Discovery last July, one flight test is worth far more than a thousand expert opinions.

When the dust had settled at the end of two days, the flight readiness review was completed and NASA gave a “go” to proceed. Most will acknowledge, although it wasn’t pretty to watch — sausage-making never is — the right decision was made.
Review done, dissension noted: Shuttle is ready.