Polish president and 95 others die in plane crash

[Blitzkommando]

I debated about posting this here but I finally came to the conclusion that when what is essentially the entire leadership of a nation, political, military, economic, and religious are all killed in a tragic disaster that it warrants being told. While en route to Smolensk for the 70th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre the plane crashed which was carrying Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife, numerous political officials, bank presidents, historians, church officials and the leaders of the Polish Army, Navy, Air Forces, Special Forces, Chief of the Militaries, and General of the Warsaw Guard. The last time this many of Poland's leadership were killed was during World War II.

It is very suspicious given the circumstances of the crash. There was heavy fog and ground control insisted the pilot find another airport. The pilot ignored ground control and the plane clipped trees before finally crashing and killing all 96 onboard.

Source 1 (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/04/10/polish-presidents-plane-crashes-russia/)

Source 2 (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/04/10/fast-facts-polish-politicians-died-russia-crash/)

Source 3 (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/04/10/polish-lawmakers-regroup-presidents-death-crash/)

Source 4 (http://beta.greenvilleonline.com/article/20100410/NEWS01/100410002/Polish-leader-95-others-dead-in-Russia-jet-crash)

Source 5 (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6391A520100410)

Source 6 (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6390RW20100410)

This is a terrible tragedy for the families involved, the Polish people, and of all of Poland's friends and allies.

[Palle]

As an outside observer, I was not a fan of the Polish leadership of the last decade, but this must create a surreal and disquieting feeling for the citizens of Poland right now. I feel for 'em.

[CrimsomWolf]

Actually, only 96 people had been killed, mostly high-ranking officials plus eight crewmembers. Also, not "entire" leadership was killed; Prime Minister and Parliamentary Speaker (which are two other most important people in Polish politics as far as we're talking civilian government) are present and accounted for, so we have no "we have no government now!" situation, despite media's attempt to portray it as such.

While I no longer consider myself Polish, I do regularly watch Polish news channels and read newspapers my parents bring from their trips there. And, I can say that he had it coming.

That airplane had malfunctioned more than once, and Air Force pilots had kicked up a fuss 'bout it more than once. He himself had also some nasty temper when it came to traveling, once forcing a pilot to land, despite very dangerous conditions. Which lead to his pilot retiring, as he had no desire to endanger other people on president's whim. I'm guessing it's what happened this time. Only, they were out of luck.

[Dhylec]

This sounds really bad for Poland, its government & the victims' families. Such a tragic incident for a special visit.

[Randomness]

Um... wow. Can't think of anything...

That's just awful.

[Blitzkommando]

I apologize about the numbers. I was going by what was initially reported early this morning.

[joefro]

That's terrible news. I hope Poland can recover from this tragedy, and I really hope that this wasn't an act of terrorism.

[Randomness]

That's terrible news. I hope Poland can recover from this tragedy, and I really hope that this wasn't an act of terrorism.

No, I'm pretty sure this is a case of old plane+bad weather+bad luck=crash.

[Keilyn]

One of my best friends is a girl from Poland who plays multiple online games with me. She was distrought at the whole thing. I would be too....

I actually like Poland... They have made my favorite PC game series and everytime I see something Polish on a site, for some reason I've always liked the innovation they have showned.

Communicating with their people have shown they can see right through technology and use technology to survive, but don't make their lives become overdependent on technology itself.

You deal with the majority of Traditional Value/Survival Nation and you always find a correlation with personal education, social drive and require intelligence to actually hold a conversation. Those people learn more how to survive in the real world and how to handle themselves....and like me...They are not afraid to say to people directly what they think, what they believe even if it hurts another.

Go to any Secular-Relation/Free Expression Nation and its all about "Feelings" and "Emotions" and you find that while people have a "right to speak" everyone is punishing everyone else on how they talk....