Peeves: NASA

Here's another thing that gets my goat. At some point in the last 30 years, NASA decided that the person who announces "Liftoff!" should also utter some hokey, rah-rah piffle about the mission. Today's shuttle launch was described by NASA "Launch Commentator" George Diller as:

“Liftoff of space shuttle Discovery beginning America’s new journey to the moon, Mars and beyond.”

For the launch of the Deep Impact mission:

"We have ignition and liftoff of a Delta 2 rocket, carrying Deep Impact - NASA's journey to unlock the mystery of the solar system's origin," said NASA launch commentator Jessica Rye.

For John Glenn's return to space:

"Liftoff for six American heroes and one American legend," added launch commentator Lisa Malone.

They're even spreading internationally!

"...Four, three, two, one and liftoff, we have engine ignition and liftoff of the Proton rocket carrying Zvezda, the centerpiece of Russia's contribution to the international space station, setting the stage for permanent human presence in space," said NASA launch commentator Kyle Herring in the Russian mission control center near Moscow.

Just stop it!