Bryan O'Connor Speaks to AP – But Not CBS

Safety Chief at Odds With NASA, AP

“NASA’s public affairs office – which earlier this year was accused by top global warming scientist of trying to muzzle his media interviews – said on Monday that O’Connor and Scolese would not talk to the media about their objections. NASA chief spokesman Dean Acosta said it was a decision by the two men. He released a two-paragraph statement and said O’Connor and Scolese “composed it together.” O’Connor, who readily agreed to a 20-minute phone interview, said the statement was actually written by the public affairs office and approved by the two officials.”

Editor’s note: Either Bryan O’Connor changed his mind about talking to the press, or PAO misled the media into thinking that O’Connor was not interested in talking. But wait – O’Connor and Scolese refused to talk with CBS on Monday:

Opposition to flight hinges on risk to shuttle, not crew, SpaceflightNow

“Both men declined requests for interviews Monday by CBS News.”