RE: War againt poverty, not against terrorism

Your point about the administration of Palestine is accepted. However, I feel that is going down a needlessly legalistic avenue of debate. The British were the effective rulers of that territority – under whose authority is really a side issue.

Arafat indeed has been guilty of failing to restrain certain Palestinian elements. However, the cold reality is that religous fervour is not restricted to a particular side in this conflict. To draw on the IRA comparison made earlier: both Republican and Loyalist terrorists have committed atrocities – I lump them in the same category, personally.

So given that we have two points of view and that both sides have a legitimate claim to be heard; why should the “West” listen to one side and damn the other side??

Do any readers of this post personally think that one side is “right” and the other is “wrong”. If so, I’d be interested in seeing them sit an IQ test!

RE: War againt poverty, not against terrorism

How about considering the fact that the current and former leaders of Israel are themselves terrorists?

Post WW2, the land known as Israel was a British colony. Jewish terrorists wanting their “Israel” conducted a horrific campaign against British troops – kidnap, torture, murder.

It seems that after so much time has elapsed, their actions are now legitimised.

It is worth remembering why Britian was so against granting the Jewish state: the Palestinians were British subjects and it was considered that their rights had equal importance to the Jews wanting to form Israel.

RE: Greatest Airlines of the World

Let’s leave Delta out of this – “domestic” carriers not allowed surely!!!

I’ve got the feeling Gulf Air are in the SIA/Emirates/Qantas group – v. good but also v.small really.

RE: BC-17X

No, but if a middle eastern leader was seen eating a Pretzel they’d bomb his country to punish the little a-rabs.

RE: Any good African airlines?

Lots of good local carriers…

Zambian Airways is very good – only small Beech 1900D’s, but always an on-schedule smooth flight with impressive service…stewardess always wipes down your table for you and pours your drink.

Zimbabwe Express was OK but not sure if they still exist. They used to use ATR 42s.

Air Malawi have a good rep but never sampled them personally.

In South Africa, British Airways operate domestic and regional flights using 737s and 727s – I think they give an excellent service for next to nothing. Biz class return on a flight of 3 hours each way for £150.

I’m sure everyone disagrees with my choices though!

RE: Airport pic of the day- 26/03/02

some tourist honey pot in the mediterranean;

Palma?

RE: New Jumbo Variant

Range is a function of payload – so on a nearly empty service it might stretch to 7,000 miles – just like a few special 747-400 flights did.

RE: Mid-air refueling

The idea has some merit; I don’t think airlines would do it themselves though. It would probably necessitate a dedicated refuelling airline.

However the start up costs would be too high. It is not really necessary on most routes, only really the very long haul sectors – and really, the 747-400, A340 or even 777 can handle the majority of routes. The modification costs would be huge.