My prayers to the families as well. I too am a fan of the space program, and hope the cause is identified and corrected, and the program continues.
Just out of speculation, let's say the incident on take off did contribute to this catastrophe. How can anyone, or small group of experts make a call such as they did from where they were standing? It is so easy to give a go-ahead command in order to keep a schedule. It is done everyday in many manufacturing businesses. In many of our businesses when we make "premature judgements", we receive a customer complaint, which may include an injury, but rarely do we suffer a consequence such as this.
On the other hand, let's say they did determine this to be a critical factor on re-entry? What would they have done to save the astronauts? I think there is now an evacuation plan (eject) system that has been put in place since the Challenger incident. If used, it would mean they would have to lose the spacecraft. No doubt, it's a tough call to make.
The closest thing I can relate to "riding a rocket" would be autroracing. These drivers know the dangers everytime they climb aboard. No one ever dreams of it being their last race, but they know the possibility does exist for something to go wrong that could cost them their life.
-Dan-