I'm sorry in advance if I open a huge can of worms and ruin everyone's day. I was doing some reading and realized that this coming July 17th marks ten years since TWA 800 crashed. I know I still remember it like it was testerday, and, despite the fact that I was a somewhat self-absorbed, college-bound kid, it really had an effect on me. Probably because it was the first high profile national tragedy of my adult life. I mentioned the 10 year mark to various people, and I was surprised to hear how many do not believe the center fuel tank explosion theory to this day. Some are aviators, some just regular Joes, some villiage idiots, but most seem to agree. The average response is, "Oh, you're talking about the plane that was shot down?" Now, I have to say up front, I think the Navy missle theory is absolute horses%$t. I do not know how it would be possible to cover up something like that with the amount of people that would have been involved. Even though there was classified millitary activity in the area, I think it was either coincidental or, if there is any truth to the terrosist theory, designed to stop what MAY have happened. Do any of you feel that a terrorist strike is a possibility given the altitude of the aircraft? I think it was somewhere above 13,000 feet? I don't want to think that the planes I get on somewhat frequently with a hundred or more other people are capable of exploding because of voltage jumping through faulty wiring. But, if that's the case, that's the case, and I imagine it remains a rather small possibility. I doubt anyone wants to think there are crazies running around with anti aircraft missles, either, but then there are things like the recent American Airlines 612 report, where the pilots reported what looked like a rocket punching through the clouds somewhere near LAX. I'm just wondering what the opinions are here. This is an intelligent and informed group of people, and while the other folks I've talked to are intelligent (most of 'em, anyway), I have to wonder about the informed part. Sorry again if stir up the pot. Everyone has been getting along very well around here, and I don't want to start any strained relationships! I know it's a heated topic to this day. Then again, maybe that's what makes it worth discussing.
