Tragedy shouldn’t be profitable

When a tragedy happens, most people feel sad or upset, even if it doesn’t directly affect them. However, others find a way to make money out of the situation. Just hours after the space shuttle Columbia exploded, parts of the shuttle began appearing on eBay for sale. The auction Web site removed them.

This truly is horrible to think of. First because NASA warned everyone to stay away from the debris because it may contain toxic substances. It seems these people would rather make a profit than preserve their health.

Also, NASA needs the parts of the shuttle to determine what caused it to explode, but it seems these money-makers don’t want the victims’ families to feel comforted by knowing the reason for their loss.

Anyone who tries to capitalize on an event where people die should be prosecuted. Maybe these money-hungry people should take a moment and ponder how they would feel if a member of their family was involved in an accident, and someone tried to make a profit off them. According to an Associated Press report, taking pieces of an aircraft involved in an accident is a federal offense, and a conviction could result in up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Hopefully the people who attempted to sell the space shuttle’s debris will be found and prosecuted. If it was a prank, those people should still be punished for trying to profit from another’s misfortune.

Equally horrific is that people also tried to sell pieces of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon after Sept. 11.

It’s disgusting that during America’s biggest tragedies, as the rest of the country is grieving a loss, some greedy Americans see the nation’s hurt as a new business opportunity.

It’s eye-opening to realize that while the majority of Americans are in shock after a disaster, some people are focused on what they feel is most important in life — making money.