Comments on: The Crash At Smolensk

By: Bryan

Bryan — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 03:44:40 +0000

Well, they were in pretty good shape after the Mongols kicked the crap out of the Rus, and they set up their deal with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania beginning in the 14th century, and coasted until things got messed up in the 18th century, mostly by virtue of attempting to have a government utilizing the same rules now limited to the US Senate. Unanimous consent is not really a great idea when people are invading you.

When, after World War I, you design and manufacture a sidearm like the Radon auto-loading pistol, that ejects to the left because you will have your sword in your right hand, you are asking to be invaded. When the Wehrmacht invaded the Polish Cavalry was still riding horses. Horses lose when facing tanks and automatic weapons fire. It was almost like they prepared to stop Napoleon.

That was the kind of thinking that resulted in so many partitions.

By: Badtux

Badtux — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:18:54 +0000

Given the history of Poland in the past four hundred years, Poland is synonymous with tragedy in Poland. Yet one more tragedy for a tragedy-becursed land... - Badtux the History Penguin .-= last blog ..How to protect your kids from Catholic priests =-.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 04:24:32 +0000

I assume the visibility at Smolensk was below the safe limit for a landing, which is why the ground controller waved off the aircraft. If you can’t see the runway at the “decision point”, you aren’t allowed to land in a Ground Controlled Approach.

I pilot might divert, or at least circle and wait for the fog to burn off, if that is forecast. That the pilot made four attempts, Jams, is very unusual.

Katyn is becoming synonymous with tragedy in Poland, OWL.

By: oldwhitelady

oldwhitelady — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:41:06 +0000

What a tragedy for Poland! .-= last blog ..Friday Cat Blogging - strange kitties =-.

By: jams O'Donnell

jams O'Donnell — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 19:57:09 +0000

What to say here? A tragedy but was the president pressuring the pilot? 4 attempts at a landing does seem excessive .-= last blog ..More Blackadder fun =-.