November 27, 2006

Bring Them Home

No, I am not talking about soldiers in Iraq, although of course my desire is for their safe return.

Instead, I am referring to Joe Lepore and Jan Paladino, the pilots of the Legacy private jet that collided with a Gol airliner over the Amazon jungle, sending 154 people to their deaths.

When the accident first happened, there was an immediate knee-jerk outpouring of anti-Americanism. Even my friend who rides with me to work every day muttered under his breath that those Americans needed to be taught a lesson.

It is becoming quite evident, however, that the pilots bear little or no responsibility for the accident. Evidence from the plane has showed that the pilots were following instructions and behaving professionally throughout the flight. The air-traffic control here, however, has proven to be a mess. The controllers, the politicians, and the military are all trying to shift blame. They would very much like to see the two American pilots get pinned with the whole thing. The anti-American feelings here play into their hands.

Enter Joe Sharkey. Mr. Sharkey is a reporter who was on the Legacy when the accident happened. He has started a blog, and is focusing public attention what is going on, and on the two pilots being held in Rio without recourse.

Please keep these two men, their families, and the families of all the victims of the accident in your prayers.

Posted by Andrew on November 27, 2006 2:25 PM.