Canby, MN, Man Solves NASA's Foam Woes

From the Star Tribune "Letters From Readers" page:

A solution to the falling foam problem for the space shuttle: Wrap the large fuel tank with a strong, fitted wire mesh. The mesh would keep any loose foam chunks from breaking loose and endangering the space shuttle.
-- [A man], Canby, Minn.

The sounds of engineers slapping their foreheards in duhdom could be heard echoing through the hallowed chambers of NASA early this morning. It was a marked difference from the usual sounds of clacking calculators and scribbling pencils, and from the more recent sounds of gnashing teeth and collar-loosening fingers. A parade has been scheduled for Thursday for the strong, fitted wire mesh. Time scribes have already begun inking the annual "Wire Mesh of the Year" issue, due out later this month.

In related news, the NASA Shuttle Engineering Department has recently extended an offer to the Star Tribune "Letters From Readers" page. The page was not available for comment, but its agent said it is very interested in the position, though it is also considering a number of other offers at the moment. The author of the letter has been reported to be muttering much more often lately.