Today, 30-years ago . . . October 6, 1976

Submitted by Nika Pilot on 5 October, 2006 - 16:43.
Today, 30-years ago . . . October 6, 1976

On October 6, 1976, a Cubana de Aviación, S.A. flight 455, a Douglas DC-8, departed Bridgetown, Barbados. Minutes after takeoff, a bomb exploded on board and the aircraft subsequently crashed into the sea, claiming 73 lives (25 crew and 48 passengers).

To date, Luis Posada Carriles, one of the authors of the terrorist act remains free and unconvicted of his actions, and wanted to face trial in Venezuela and Cuba. He continues to live in the United States, an embarassement to the Bush Administration for creating the image of a double-standard on the U.S.'s war on terror and it's claim to view states that sponsor terror and those who harbor terrorists in the same light.

Website about Luis Posada Carriles http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/JFKposada.htm

Never Forget!

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You're leaving out a lot of critical info

Submitted by Former NL Member on 5 October, 2006 - 19:59.

The 77 year old is not living "free" nor is he unconvicted. How could he have been convicted for the bombing when he escaped from prison and left the country (Venezuela, where he also had ties to their version of the CIA)?

He was convicted of other things like attempting to kill Castro in Panama. He came to the US seeking asylum last year, then Chavez' government sought extradition, and the US denied it claiming he'd be tortured in Venezuela.

I'm not sure how the DHS holding him for illegally entering the US constitutes "harboring terrorists", but if that's the way you want to twist the language, that's your business.

I won't deny that bombing an airliner (that he claims was full of Cuban government officials) is a no-no. I also believe the 1996 Cuban military shooting down three US citizens flying in international airspace, ordered by Castro directly, is just as much a no no.

If you love conspiracy theories, check this out: http://www.hermanos.org/Doss-Tab%20C.htm

Plenty of evidence . . .

Submitted by Nika Pilot on 5 October, 2006 - 23:00.

Plenty of evidence that he was the mastermind, let him face trial. Also, put the Guantanamo Bay prisoners on trial. Let's let justice work it's course and bring transparency into the picture to end the "conspiracy theories".

As far as torture, Guantanamo Bay is a thorny issue in itself. Historically, US has never minded torture so long as it is directed against it's enemies. No shortage of evidence abounds to support this claim.

I call for an end to the double-standards and posturing.

As far as the shootdown of the small aircraft, there is some debate still on whether they were in Cuban airspace at the time of the shoot-down or not. The fact of the matter is that many from their organization had penetrated Cuban airspace and actually overflown Havanna.

Now, the shooting down of non-beligerant civil aircraft is contrary to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO or OACI [in Spanish]-- a UN body) recommended Interception Procedures. However, many countries do practice shoot-down practices for one reason or another. During the times of the Soviet Union, charts over Soviet Airspace read something to the nature of "Non-free Flying Area. Violating aircraft may be fired upon without warning."

Not only were the pilots who got shot down incredibly reckless and irresponsible, but in their actions they actually violated US laws-- this is backed by the fact that the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revoked the survivor's pilot certificate.

However, as much as I maintain that targeting civilians is a no-no, so is the targeting of civil aviation-- regardless of the "justification" given by religious, political, or government groups.

OUCH

Submitted by dodgese on 27 October, 2006 - 13:43.

However, many countries do practice shoot-down practices for one reason or another. During the times of the Soviet Union, charts over Soviet Airspace read something to the nature of "Non-free Flying Area. Violating aircraft may be fired upon without warning." Let the flyer beware. Hell, even flying 1,000 feet lower or higher can put you in danger. I had no idea about aerial 'highways'.

Let's stop the double standards...

Submitted by dodgese on 24 October, 2006 - 13:08.

I hope we don't ever stoop to their levels.

Saudis fly into the world trade center and the US bombs mecca during ramadan and shoots down four fully loaded passenger planes from arab nations.

Sorry to say, that the US

Submitted by Nika Pilot on 26 October, 2006 - 15:36.

Sorry to say, that the US has already, as history can attest, stooped down to lower levels than most other countries. Central American atrocities supported by the US Government are a good start and enough to keep you busy for a long time.

By the way, nobody flew airplanes into the Vatican.

I'm not sorry to say that Stalin's

Submitted by dodgese on 27 October, 2006 - 13:39.

ethnic cleansing could keep anyone busy also. Where soldiers fighting in the front line were later imprisoned for being enemies of the state. Bryan Caplan Turkey and Armenia, Nazis and jews, US and the native Americans, the Spanish and the native Americans in the New World, The Miskito who suffered alienation and persecution from Somoza and the FSLN. My response above was simply an eye for an eye, Jesus went against this form of biblical revenge.

Please don't blame the victims

Submitted by Former NL Member on 6 October, 2006 - 06:31.

So it sounds like you agree shooting down Hermanos al Rescate when they were dropping survival equipment to Cubans fleeing paradise was wrong.

If Castro himself gave the order, should he resign?

Submitted by Tom R on 6 October, 2006 - 07:08.

My kinda guy

Submitted by fyl on 5 October, 2006 - 18:57.

Thanks for the link. While I know all too much about him, it is nice to have it all in one place.

Yeah, sure sounds like my kinda guy. [/sarcasm]