UN authorizes `all necessary measures' in Libya

[DinoDoc]

You didn't answer the question I asked DD.

I didn't ask whether you thought it was shot down.

They have in the past. Or are you asking if I believe that all the helicopter crashes in Afghanistan are the result of mechanical failure? That would be a no. Some of them were likely the result of insurgent action.

[Wezil]

So you will concede they selectively fess up?

That's reason not to take the government's statement as a matter of faith isn't it?

[DinoDoc]

Can you give me a reason to be suspicious in this instance?

[Asher]

No one can give you common sense.

[Wezil]

Can you give me a reason to be suspicious in this instance?

Yes, the government denies it.

[Wezil]

Governments are all about secrecy DD. The more they can get away with the better for them.

Suspicion should be your starting point.

[DinoDoc]

Yes, the government denies it.

The government denies many things. No, aliens at Roswell, they didn't destroy WTC-7. Do you have some evidence or reasonable supposition that I should give shot down more credence than mechanical failure especially in light of the fact is was in rebel held territory?

[DinoDoc]

Governments are all about secrecy DD.

The US government seems to be horrible at keeping them though.

[Asher]

The government denies many things. No, aliens at Roswell, they didn't destroy WTC-7. Do you have some evidence or reasonable supposition that I should give shot down more credence than mechanical failure especially in light of the fact is was in rebel held territory?

Yeah, the fact that the 2nd most heavily defended state in the "middle east" may've shot down a 70s era jet fighter is certainly comparable with Roswell and WTC-7 conspiracies.

[DinoDoc]

You do realize that most of the air defenses you are talking about are poorly maintained Soviet era weaponry and were largely destroyed in the opening hours of the conflict, right?

[Asher]

All the more reason to lie about them downing your aircraft.

Same reason the US classifies and tries to hide the fact that cheap diesel-electric subs can sink their uber-expensive carriers in wargames. The US military perpetuates the myth that technical superiority is everything. It's harmful to their reputation to see shoddy Soviet-era air defenses downing their expensive aircraft in third-world countries.

[DinoDoc]

On what basis are we to assume deceit? Your expertise in the area of aeronautics and aerial combat leaves me underwhelmed at the strength of your position.

[Asher]

On what basis are we to assume deceit? Your expertise in the area of aeronautics and aerial combat leaves me underwhelmed at the strength of your position.

You should always be suspicious of your government. Especially one with a habit of keeping secrets from its populace. Especially one with a track record of explaining probable downings as mechanical failures. Especially given the context of a high-altitude "mechanical failure" that was serious enough that both pilots immediately ejected and landed very far apart from eachother. But if it were an accident at such a high altitude to warrant ejection, it must have been catastrophic. Which is less likely as well.

[Wezil]

On what basis are we to assume deceit?

Compare the upside to admitting it was shot down compared to the down side and you will have an answer.

[Whoha]

Any reports of additional ground strikes since the Libyans were dumb enough to flip on a search radar?