Lest we forget the uproar over "The Simpsons" Brazil episode, where Homer gets kidnapped and little orphan Ronaldo is attacked by monkeys ("I am like sugar to them!"). No sense of humor, that country.
Brazil, as a nation, is incomparably conspiratorial and petulant when it comes to the most mild criticism or even simple observation of their national problems (of which there are many).
Last year my work took me to Sao Paulo about once a month for almost a full year, and it was interesting to say the least.
This story fits creepily well into some of the kooky but strangely resonant theories about 2012 I have read; in particular, the notion that in these last couple years there will be a series of developments involving high-profile "disappearances" that will accelerate panic and awe on the planet, and send world religions into deep philosophical crises. This stuff is "supposed to" begin this summer.
One time at a bed and breakfast the girl I was with lost a diamond earring...not a very big one. While searching through the carpet I found another diamond earring, a bigger one. So these things can happen. She kept the earring and we broke up shortly thereafter.
It's possible that the plane's autopilot or automatic systems could have been involved. There were twoseparate incidents of A330 failures in Australia (one plunging several hundred feet in turbulence, one with a malfunctioning autopilot. I've heard the A330s criticized as being "too automatic" -- instigating procedures that the pilot would not. It's sadly possible that there was some combination of factors involved here.
I fly to Asia very frequently, and have actually flown through "walls of storms" -- and it's terrifying, but modern planes are supposed to be able to withstand them. I hope whatever caused the accident is discovered and rectified as quickly as possible. It still makes me nervous about my next long transpacific flight (especially during Typhoon season).
@bboston88 (star please?): whatever happened was definitely a one in a million event. The A330's are highly reliable; the last time a fatal accident occurred in one was in 1994.
@bboston88 (star please?): As soon as I saw the first Airbus 330 I said to myself that I would NEVER go on that thing. It's weird but I feel safer in smaller planes, something about having over 200 people in a metal structure that scares me. Especially if it's boarded by a majority of overweight Americans.
@Cheap Shot: I think you might be thinking of the big giant A380. This one is a smaller plane designed for low-demand long hauls (like Rio to Paris). It's not a monster plane like the 380.
This is sad. I was really hoping it was more of an X-files mystery and that the survivors were taken to another place rather than the deep murky waters.
@Cheap Shot: BTW, that wasn't a "Cheap Shot" on you, my impression is that you weren't taking the notion that seriously - but plenty of people would have.
Anyway, there is still the question of WTF did happen.
@zibby: That's precisely why I mentioned the x-files. I am firmly grounded in reality however and realize that a huge percentage of airplane accidents are from weather conditions. The only 'moonbat fantasies' I have are the mysteries of the year 2012.
10/01/09
Lest we forget the uproar over "The Simpsons" Brazil episode, where Homer gets kidnapped and little orphan Ronaldo is attacked by monkeys ("I am like sugar to them!"). No sense of humor, that country.
10/01/09
Last year my work took me to Sao Paulo about once a month for almost a full year, and it was interesting to say the least.
10/01/09
06/05/09
06/05/09
06/05/09
Jesus, I'm stoned.
06/05/09
06/05/09
I think most serious Mayanologists don't place much stock in the 2012 thing.
06/05/09
06/05/09
06/05/09
06/05/09
06/05/09
Screw Lost - this is beginning to look like Sphere.
06/02/09
I had a date end that way once.
06/02/09
06/02/09
06/02/09
I fly to Asia very frequently, and have actually flown through "walls of storms" -- and it's terrifying, but modern planes are supposed to be able to withstand them. I hope whatever caused the accident is discovered and rectified as quickly as possible. It still makes me nervous about my next long transpacific flight (especially during Typhoon season).
06/02/09
06/02/09
06/02/09
06/02/09
06/02/09
Love,
Nerdlinger Jones
06/02/09
06/02/09
06/02/09
06/02/09
Much condolences their families.
06/02/09
Anyway, there is still the question of WTF did happen.
06/02/09
03/27/09
03/27/09