Saturday, December 22, 2018

Two things I forgot about yesterday

First thing I forgot was to wish everyone a happy winter solstice. For my druid friends, do not go sacrificing any virgins. It's not really acceptable...

Second thing: Thirty years ago yesterday, something happened that caused the airlines to start asking us those now-famous questions, "Did you pack your bags? Have your bags been with you the whole time?"

Thirty years ago, Muammar Gaddafi killed 270 people using an unwitting person who checked his bags in for his flight from Frankfurt Germany to New York City. The bags in question contained several ounces of a powerful explosive called Semtex. The individual who owned the bags had no idea that they contained an explosive because Gaddafi's henchmen managed to gain access to them without his/her knowledge.

About 60 minutes after the plane carrying the bags pushed back from the gate, it exploded over Lockerbie Scotland.

The plane was a Pan Am 747, Flight 103, fully loaded with holiday travelers, heading for home or to be with family. When the Semtex exploded, it separated the aircraft into several large parts that plummeted from 31,000 feet into the village of Lockerbie.

All 248 passengers, 16 crew members and 11 resident of Lockerbie died as a result of that explosion.

And that, my friends, is why you are asked if you packed your own bags whenever you check in for a flight.

🎄

We started the family Christmas celebrations today so that is why this is a little late.

While I digest my food, you should visit these links:

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