<p>I have flown on Malaysian Airlines plenty of times. They are wonderful. But these 2 tragedies will certainly hurt their business and reputation. I don’t want to speculate on this current disaster and further spreading rumors. But I can only imagine what the families must be going through. </p>
<p>How awful that it was known by some so long ago that these passengers were all dead and now the families have the open sores torn open again. So sorry for all!</p>
<p>awcntdb: in your experience, what (if anything) can be made of this?</p>
<p>"The New York Times is reporting that many of the bodies found near the crash site of the Malaysia Airlines plane were intact. NYT says that this detail probably means the plane made “a somewhat controlled landing.”</p>
<p>It has been reported that the black boxes are in the hands of the “rebels”. </p>
<p>Oh, this is a SECOND plane–I thought they finally found the first one, which appears to still be missing!</p>
<p>Yup, this is a different plane, same airline. They are having a real run of bad luck.</p>
<p>What’s the currently running theory on the missing plane anyway? Last I heard (like a week after it happened) the story was that the Malaysian Military accidentally shot it down and wants to just step back and hope everyone forgets about it. Anyone done further investigation? </p>
<p>Boeing is taking a kind of hit here too, even though it is not its fault at all. This is the third 777 to go down within a year and have people die on it: Asiana, missing Malyasian jet, and now this. Great plane is getting a tragic history written for it.</p>
<p>Mr. Putin, you have some ‘splainin to do!’</p>
<p>UK news reported that Putin and Obama had a conversation within minutes of this event this morning. Neither office has said whether the talk occurred before or after the crash.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That theory has some trouble fitting with the satellite data that indicates that the plane flew for hours after the last radio transmission. </p>
<p>…and now Al Jazeera is reporting that Israel is going into Gaza. </p>
<p>A little more details,</p>
<p><a href=“http://news.msn.com/world/malaysian-airliner-downed-in-ukraine-war-zone-295-dead”>http://news.msn.com/world/malaysian-airliner-downed-in-ukraine-war-zone-295-dead</a></p>
<p>There are quite a few flash points around the globe that could turn into a major confrontation. Israel sending ground tropps to Gaza doesn’t help, either.</p>
<p>I cant help but think about all the innocent people around the world caught up in other peoples wars for power. Only through luck was I born into a country that has allowed me to grow up and raise a family with very little fear for my life and my families safety. </p>
<p>Sometimes I forget how fortunate I have been and continue to be.</p>
<p>I’m a little confused why Pro-Ukraine forces and Pro-Russian forces are accusing eachother of shooting it down. What’s the gain in shooting this plane down? </p>
<p>I am guessing it was shot down by mistake.</p>
<p>Vlad. I think its CYA time. Everyone putting the blame on everyone but themselves.</p>
<p>Apparently, the separatists got a hold of the Buk missile launcher by taking over a Ukraininan military installation in that area. They shot down 2 Ukrainian military planes over in the past week, and possibly thought that this was a military plane, too (my theory that they were too drunk to care). Here is what is presumably a translation of the conversation between separatists intercepted by the Ukrainians:</p>
<p><a href=“SBU intercepts phone conversations of separatists admitting downing a civilian plane (FULL TRANSCRIPT; VIDEO) - Jul. 18, 2014 | KyivPost”>http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/separatists-admit-downing-a-civilian-plane-in-tapped-conversation-full-transcript-356545.html</a></p>
<p>"Read the full transcript of an intercepted phone call below:
Igor Bezler: We have just shot down a plane. Group Minera. It fell down beyond Yenakievo (Donetsk Oblast).</p>
<p>Vasili Geranin: Pilots. Where are the pilots?
IB: Gone to search for and photograph the plane. Its smoking.
VG: How many minutes ago?
IB: About 30 minutes ago.
SBU comment: After examining the site of the plane the terrorists come to the conclusion that they have shot down a civilian plane. The next part of the conversation took place about 40 minutes later.
“Major”: These are Chernukhin folks who shot down the plane. From the Chernukhin check point. Those cossacks who are based in Chernukhino.
“Grek”: Yes, Major.
“Major”: The plane fell apart in the air. In the area of Petropavlovskaya mine. The first “200” (code word for dead person). We have found the first “200”. A Civilian.</p>
<p>“Greek”: Well, what do you have there?
“Major”: In short, it was 100 percent a passenger (civilian) aircraft.</p>
<p>“Greek”: Are many people there?
“Major”: Holy sh__t! The debris fell right into the yards (of homes).</p>
<p>“Greek”: What kind of aircraft?
“Major”: I haven’t ascertained this. I haven’t been to the main sight. I am only surveying the scene where the first bodies fell. There are the remains of internal brackets, seats and bodies.</p>
<p>“Greek”: Is there anything left of the weapon?
“Major”: Absolutely nothing. Civilian items, medicinal stuff, towels, toilet paper.</p>
<p>“Greek”: Are there documents?
“Major”: Yes, of one Indonesian student. From a university in Thompson. "</p>
<p>All day I have had the feeling that Putin was behind this and somehow, in the end, this is all going to work out to his advantage.</p>
<p>I always have the feeling that he is playing chess, while everyone else is playing checkers.</p>
<p>Silly, huh?</p>
<p>As long as he’s got gas (and oil) Europe will dare to only play checkers. Though I wish Obama would man up and throw significant sanctions and ignore the whining of Wall Street, bankers and the business community that they’re losing millions. This man makes Khrushchev look like an innocent.</p>
<p>HImom - I too initially thought the other story was about the other Malaysian plane. Ugh - it makes me want to throw up. </p>