Polish President and 96 others killed in Plane Crash

[Ritho]

Our hearts go out to the country of Poland, and all the families that lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy.

96 lives were lost this morning, when the presidential plane crashed in Russia. Among the dead were the Polish President, his wife and numerous top political and military figures and their aids. They were traveling to a special event that was to mark the 70th anniversary of the massacre of thousands of Polish officers by Soviet secret police. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8612825.stm

Please know our thoughts and deepest regrets are with you all.

Ritho
On behalf of the Gizmo's Freeware Team

[wdhpr]

I have nothing but respect for Poland and its people. They stood their ground against the mighty Soviet Union and won their independence. Its was not surprising to see their country then go on to thrive and prosper.
Without trying to be political or conspiratorial, I am a bit concerned as to the place this tragedy occurred .

Wdhpr

[MidnightCowboy]

Of course I share Ritho's sentiments, but I'd also like to look at this tragedy from a different perspective.

I've worked with pilots of various nationalities both fixed wing and rotary, and two of my ex wife's sisters were married to pilots. From what I saw they all shared one objective and that was to preserve life, their own included. Polish pilots have a great aeronautical tradition, many going through hell to escape during the early stages of WWII and then immediately signing up with the RAF. I also get highly suspicious when accusations of "pilot Error" begin flying around before even the bodies have been counted. This is not to say that it doesn't happen but in percentage terms it is very rare compared to other professions. With the Polish president having a reported history of ordering other pilots to land in unfavorable conditions I just hope that this disaster isn't made even worse should this turn out to be the cause. Time will tell if and when data from the voice recorders is ever made public.

[anthony123]

This is why politicians usually travel in seperate airplanes, because they assume that such things could happen. If an airplane with the whole government in it crashes, it wouldn't be too good for the state (of course it depends on what kind of politicians we are talking about)

[bo.elam]

I personally feel for Poland. One of my great great grand fathers was
a German Jew from Poznan who emigrated in the 1850 s to America.
On the way to California by Central America he decided to stay here.
This crash to me, smells like KGB all the way. Easy for Putin to get rid
of large part of the Polish government in one crash/hit.
Bo

[MidnightCowboy]

Bit embarrassing for the Russians too after some of their soldiers were caught using credit cards stolen from the crash scene.

[bo.elam]

MC, Russian intelligence always makes mistake and that could be the
the first one in this case.
Bo