Boldly go away from this messed-up planet

I AM probably the least superstitious person I know, but there always seems to be something at least mildly auspicious about the first day of a new month also being the first day of a new week; it's a bit of calendar symmetry that motivates one to get organized and tackle the to-do list with purpose.

That enthusiasm yesterday, Monday, was challenged, however, by the first three news items I saw when I decided to turn on my laptop and reconnect with the world: the deaths, apparently almost simultaneously, of former Philippine president Fidel Ramos, NBA legend Bill Russell and actress Nichelle Nichols, better known as "Star Trek's" Lt. Uhura.