Malaysian Airline Hit By Missile near Russian Border

[bradh]

Zoo, that wasn't meant as a shot at you. I enjoy reading everyone's take on this, it was just a question.

[Chadanth]

Quite possible, I'm reading all sides and that's certainly a possibility. I know it wouldn't have happened without the violence taking place, which wouldn't be taking place if the region wasn't de-stabilized by the Pro EU forces that took "control" recently. That's a long story in and of itself. But, you can guess where I stand on that issue.

This is not as simplistic as many here seem to think. It involves south and east Ukraine, the Crimean Peninsula, and a culture and people that go back - literally, a thousand years. Elections are not elections when the U.S. side loses, they're fair if the U.S. interests win.

It's complex. I am not trying to be defensive, I'm trying to offer the other side of this whole story and what led up to the shootdown. There are many scenarios and who knows? Maybe we can definitively know soon. But, I know that the rebels and/or Russian military did not intentionally shoot a passenger jet out of the sky.

1. I seriously doubt you "know" that.
2. I don't think that anyone intentionally shot at a passenger jet, it's much more likely that they thought they were shooting at a Ukrainian cargo plane.

[catch22]

Please have my friend in your thoughts and prayers. He was the loadcontroller and ramp lead for MH17 that day in Amsterdam. He supervised and coordinated the loading of all of the cargo and baggage, the weight and balance of the airplane, and ultimately was one of the last people on the ground to talk to the flightcrew both in face and later over the headset in the final stages of preparing the flight to be pushed out of the gate for departure.

This is really rough on him, and I'm sure he will be under quite a bit of stress as the investigation continues, as he will be under some intense investigation and questioning as he supervised and signed for the loading of the aircraft and it's contents. This is turning into a highly political situation, and I'm sure the nations under investigation would like to put the blame in part on anyone other than themselves., or would like to ensure nothing of political volatility was loaded and in transport on this flight. I'm sure the emotional weight just from being involved is enough, not to mention the investigation.

[PennyQuilts]

I am sure this is hard on him, poor man. All parties have pretty much determined this was from a missile so he will likely be in the clear. It must still be very difficult.

[catch22]

I am sure this is hard on him, poor man. All parties have pretty much determined this was from a missile so he will likely be in the clear. It must still be very difficult.

I have no doubt he is in the clear. He's a good guy. However, aviation investigations usually end up going through everyone who had any contact with the airplane. He will be under close investigation as well as all other people who were involved.

It really puts things in perspective, just a normal day at the job, a normal sequence of events -- resulting in a chilling end. When I sign a load sheet, or sign for other security related things -- you don't really understand the weight of your signature until something bad happens. As he is now realizing, and so am I.

[Plutonic Panda]

wow.. this is not good

Over 100 HIV Experts And Advocates May Have Been On Board Crashed Malaysian Plane | IFLScience

[venture]

This is an actual An-26 which was the supposed target by the conspiracy people...

[Bullbear]

wow.. this is not good

Over 100 HIV Experts And Advocates May Have Been On Board Crashed Malaysian Plane | IFLScience

This is indeed horrible news. however the initial reports where grossly exagerated. there where however I believe 6 researches on the plane but not 100.

[PennyQuilts]

This is indeed horrible news. however the initial reports where grossly exagerated. there where however I believe 6 researches on the plane but not 100.

There were a bunch of aide workers and I wonder if they lumped them in with the aids researchers.

[BBatesokc]

And the motive is? There's not one for them. There is for the Ukrainian government as they desperately want more involvement from the U.S.... I see smoke and mirrors.
Don't trust U.S. media outlets either. These are the same networks that fail to report things of major significance all the time. They also all jumped on the Iraq War train after Colin Powell's U.N. address without any independent investigations. They'll jump on the anti-Putin train just as easily, and people will blindly follow their "reporting" or "circumstantial evidence" (selectively choosing the "evidence.")

My post didn't even approach 'motive' - so I'm not sure why your reply would rely so heavily on motive. But, since you ask, the motive has been spelled out many times. The separatists thought they were shooting down a military transport plane. A theory well supported by the circumstantial evidence.

As for the multiple layers, motives and history of this conflict - not of any particular interest to me - I was simply addressing the question of "who shot the plane down."

[Jersey Boss]

As for the "People's Republic of 'Separatists'" quip, I'm not sure you understand the current situation. The insinuation is that Russia is like the Old Soviet Union?

Actually my reference was to the self proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic", from which apparently the SAM was launched.

[zookeeper]

Hate to even bring this up again, but the U.S. propaganda campaign being waged through the government and the mainstream media against President Putin is despicable.

Pat Buchanan has hit the nail on the head in several columns and David Stockman (Reagan administration) writes a beautiful op-ed....Hope you'll take a couple of minutes.

My Thoughts on Pat Buchanan's Brilliant and Incisive Take on Washington's Ukrainian Fiasco - by David Stockman

The original column by Pat Buchanan that prompted Stockman's column praising Buchanan's Insight:
Is Putin Worse Than Stalin? by Patrick J. Buchanan

Those who profit from war and and support the U.S. backed coup in the Ukraine are looking for anything to re-start the Cold War.

[ljbab728]

I'm thinking that you need to take all of that to the politics thread.

[zookeeper]

I'm thinking that you need to take all of that to the politics thread.

Just me? None of the other posts that are talking about Putin the Monster, etc? With that said, I agree with you, it should be in politics. But, I think it's a bit unfair to single me out in a 113 post thread.

[ljbab728]

Just me? None of the other posts that are talking about Putin the Monster, etc? With that said, I agree with you, it should be in politics. But, I think it's a bit unfair to single me out in a 113 post thread.

It has to start somewhere and your post looks like the best place to start. I'm not the thread police, though. If you want to keep posting about this here, it's up to you.