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Subscribe to RSSSeventy-five years after the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is lending her support to a new investigation into the mystery surrounding the famed aviator's final flight. NBC's Chris Jansing reports.
WASHINGTON -- Following new analysis of a photo that could show wreckage of Amelia Earhart's plane, the Obama administration on Tuesday said it was backing a search this summer to hopefully solve the mystery of America's greatest female aviator.
"We can be as optimistic and even audacious as Amelia Earhart," Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., to announce U.S. support for the expedition. "There is great honor and possibility in the search itself."
The search by The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery will focus on the remote island of Nikumaroro, in what is now the Pacific nation of Kiribati.
The group believes Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan might have managed to land on the island, then known as Gardner Island, and that they could have survived for a short time after disappearing on July 2, 1937.
Other historians believe they crashed into the ocean. But conspiracy theories, including claims that they were U.S. government agents captured by the Japanese before World War II, abound despite having been largely debunked.
The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery
This 1937 photo was presented Tuesday as having been analyzed by experts to reveal an object in the water, not easily visible at this scale, showing what might be the landing gear and a wheel from an aircraft.
New analysis of a photo taken at Nikumaroro three months after the disappearance shows what some people believe could be a strut and wheel of the plane protruding from the water, the group says. State Department analysts helped examine the photo.
The hypothesis is that the plane crashed on a reef before eventually being washed deeper into the sea.
The group hopes that probes down the reef slope will reveal larger aircraft parts such as the engines lying in a dim "twilight zone" about 300 yards below the ocean surface.
A photo taken just three months after Earhart disappeared may provide new evidence of famed aviator's plight. The group that plans to conduct the deepwater search believes her airplane is still recoverable. NBC's Chris Jansing reports.
Renowned oceanographer Robert Ballard, who discovered the wreckage of the Titanic and the Bismarck and is advising the Earhart expedition, said the new analysis of the photograph could be the equivalent of a "smoking gun" as it narrows the search area from tens of thousands of square miles to a manageable size.
In 2010, bone fragments were found on the island that the group believes might be of Earhart or Noonan. Other artifacts have been recovered there as well that suggest the two might have lived for days or weeks after landing on a reef.
The privately funded group is putting up $500,000 for the search. The U.S. won't provide money but will offer limited logistical support. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood joined Clinton at the ceremony.
Ric Gillespie, the executive director of the group, said the new search is scheduled to last for 10 days in July and will use state-of-the-art underwater robotic submarines and mapping equipment. The Discovery Channel will film the expedition for a television documentary, he said. He acknowledged that the evidence was circumstantial but "strong" but stopped well short of predicting success.
Discovery of bones and other artifacts on a remote island have proven inconclusive in the search of famed pilot Amelia Earhart. NBC's Janet Shamlian has the story.
"The most important thing is not whether we find the ultimate answer or what we find, it is the way we look," he said. "We see this opportunity to explore ... the last great American mystery of the 20th century as a vehicle for demonstrating how to go about figuring out what is true."
"Back in 1937, in the painful recovery from the Great Depression, Amelia Earhart's courage and determination inspired the American people," he added. "Well, hard times are here again and we need that type of courage and determination again ... we're going to try our best to find her, not for ourselves, but for you," the public.
Details about the planned expedition
Explainer: Earhart and other famous mysteries
The expedition will coincide with the 75th anniversary of Earhart's departure on the ill-fated attempt to become the first woman to fly around the world.
NBC's Catherine Chomiak and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More than 70 years after Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific during her around-the-world flight, documents and photos are being released that shed new light on one of aviation's greatest mysteries. NBC's Chuck Henry reports.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
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So what is this going to cost us 30 billion dollars that could be better spent helping our returning soldiers and all the people who are losing homes and jobs because our "president" thinks this is the right thing to do.
I wonder while they are looking for Amelia could they also look for my lost luggage?
Did you read the story? A private group is putting up the $$$$ the govt is offering logistical support- chill
Earhart is a national figure, and finding her plane and putting some closure on her transworld flight is a very important thing to the girls and young women of the United States.
Assisting a private group that has the money for this is a great idea.
circlediamond - read the article before you start spouting off!
mnsue... do you think that logistical support is cheap? No... the $500k that the "private" group is proividing is a paltry amount compared to what the government is supplying in "support".
The article states that a private group is paying for it. I guess some people think we all should just roll over and die because there are problems in the world. Me- I prefer to keep pursuing life as long as possible, and that includes continuing to search for people that have gone missing.
Maybe they will find millions of socks as well. I know I have a bunch of them that mysteriously disappeared!!!
Think of it as a stimulus package for employing our military personnel since they will most likely be the ones providing logistical support.
Dude -- no public dollars are being spent -- read the frickin' story moron.
I haven't slept a full night since their plane went missing. True.
@circlediamond. Really We need to spend more money on our troops??! We already spend way to much on them and the military. They get every benefit imaginable! All our Social welfare costs us $70B while the military costs us $700B. Get a grip
If she was actually working for the military as a spy, then she absolutely deserves all efforts that the military would expend to bring back any other soldier, airman, seaman or marine that is MIA.
We can talk all we want about our government wasting much-needed funds on foolish endeavors, and I'll be the first in line to agree.
But...
The mystery of Amelia Earhart isn't something we should shy away from solving...within reason, of course.
She was a brave American who went to great lengths to extend our country's aviation industry. A true pioneer and hero.
Let's do what we can with this new information and see if we can rewrite a few history books...
Well if you think the government is working for free think again partner. Someone (taxpayers) have payed m(b?)illions for all the info used in the governments logistics department and an unknown amount of time will also be used accessing that info by the search. KLnowing how the government works it will be the typical screw in a lightbulb syndrome. I person to do the actual work and 8 people to stupidvise.
"The U.S. will provide logistical support" -- uhh, wouldn't "logistical support" include getting the search party to the site, maintaining them on site and returning them whence they came once the search was over? If not, what does it include...and, if so, won't that cost some bux?? I'm guessing the private search group may go through $500K pretty quickly, and then the taxpayer will be on the hook for...uh... "logistical support".
"Dude -- no public dollars are being spent -- read the frickin' story moron."
And I suppose logistical support is cheap or free. Try putting some thought into what you read imbecile!
@ circle.. YOU are a Fn moron. It will cost only LOGISTICAL support.. Sure some money, but this lady was a aviation pioneer.
Circlediamond would prefer to start WW3 like the GOP intend to do so if for some reason they are elected. But we as a nation cannot afford the GOP in 2012 or beyond.
The people who respond most of the time on here are just headline readers. They can't look below the surface, no pun intended. She was most likely working for the US and was kidnapped after crashing.. She didn't die back in the 1930s.. But lived until 1982 as Irene Cragmile. You must search for this information if you want to learn more.
@ E-8989685 - Out troops defend us and our freedom, do your homework. Our troops don't get enough, the government keeps taking away from them. I don't know what you're smoking but they DO NOT get every benefit imaginable. I guess you never served or know anyone that did otherwise you would not have made such a statement.
This story has always intrigued me. When they first mentioned this island and the artifacts they found two or three years ago, I read every tidbit I could find. If you look at it with Google Earth, you can see that there are some spots that a plane could skim across the water to a sandy beach. I hope that they can scientifically determine the Earhart and Noonan did survive and at least lasted a few days or weeks. Although, if that was the case, I am sure their deaths where sad, lonely, and desperate at the end but it shows how great of a pilot she was and that they were both great under pressure.
Good luck with the search. I hope it brings the answers that we are all curious about.
rcsdenthehills...
They're dead! Been dead for a very long time. Why not resume the search for the lost flight 19 while we're at it...
And for those of you who think it won't cost the taxpayers anything, I have a couple of bridges to sell you... "Here's your sign..."
the right wing, fanatical, tea bagging, wide stance, Bible thumping, flag waving Republicans are balking at participating in the solving of one of the greatest mysteries of the 20th Century? Well, get over it! Republicans have no interest in history other than re-writing it to suit their own needs such as naming everything that stood still too long after a B-Movie Actor who consulted the Star charts when setting his White House agenda. Rename it "Reagan" Island and drag out the "Mission Accomplished" banner and you won't hear a yelp from them.
To "Standing, the damned of the earth!"
Of course it will cost some money but it is a more worth while endeavor than most things the Feds spend our money on. Like bailing out banks that should have been allowed to collapse since they obviously havent learned their lessons on how to treat their customers.
p.s. Interesting name btw, I can see why you have such a rosy outlook on things.
Are you upset...
Dude...get a grip! You are coming unglued! You are funny, though...very funny. I'd like to see the veins poking out of your neck right about now!
Cantakenomore,
If new evidence surfaced about Flight 19, the President and the NAVY would spend millions in a second to pursue it... and they absolutely should.
It is the long standing policy of the US Military to "spare not expense" to bring home our dead and to give closure to families with loved ones who are missing in action.
And you took the time to type this nonsensical and totally fabricated piece of fiction.........why?
blow it out your ass, douchebag
Yeah your right, this is a huge waste of money we should just keep throwing it to welfare programs instead. What the hell is wrong with this country, there is no desire for exploration anymore.
this particular atoll, was id, about 15 years ago, when artifacts dating from that time period was found, including a shoe, of the type she wore; everyone likes a good mystery being solved, hope they confirm the site.
chit...
"Here's your sign..."
some peoples think is waisting time,
for the one say that the soldiers get all the benefits you ae totally wrong i gues you never beem in the armforces so you need close your mouth cause you dont know nothing armforces man and women get sometimes less benefitts them you cause went they comeback from war they get unemployment lke everybody in his contry for six 6 months after that if they have no job they will nt eat companys were lot of soldier go looking for jobs most of them they dont get no jobs what the recuiters say you are over qualify that word means iam not hiring you cause you just came from war you maybe crazy
Some may disagree but I say this is a worthwhile endeavor since A.E. was an important part of our aviation history. I see nothing wrong with bringing some closure to this mystery.
The logistics costs are all in the name of training. These guys and gals have to fly to keep their proficiency and if they fly on this mission it is essentially free, as they would or should be doing the flying anyway.
420 frees the mind,
"Circlediamond would prefer to start WW3 like the GOP intend to do so if for some reason they are elected. But we as a nation cannot afford the GOP in 2012 or beyond."
With that statement I can see why people don't want to legalize pot. "...start ww3 like the GOP intend...". Put the joint out, clear the air of smoken and then think.
So what is this going to cost us 30 billion dollars
Reading comprehension fail.
@420frees the mind----
DUDE what the hell are you smoking? must be some potent stuff. Love the conspiracy theory on Earhart. I like the one about Kennedy myself, and the moon landing is always a riot, but please tell us again the one about 911 and all those people that just disappeared in the planes and towers and the cover up by our goverment and no body talks about it---I just love to hear that one before I go to bed----dumbass.
The Troops get plenty thats why all the ones i know have evry toy they want, a big ass truck and harley. a house they only have to pya half for and damn near free food, daycare etc etc etc... Just glorified mercenaries. No soldier has fought for my freedom since the WW2!
E-8989685, I take you never spent 1 day in the military. You get to spend everyday with your family,friends and co-workers huh. I spent 10.5 years in the military, spent a year away from my family due to a remote assignment. These men and women spend even more time away from their families now because of the war. It doesn't matter if you believe in it or not. How much longer do you think you would enjoy all this freedom you take for granted if there was no military? As far as Amelia Earhart, She wouldn't be no where near as famous as she is now if she hand't disappeared, might be the way she planned it. Just saying
bobsmith2, arzoo623, 420 Frees the Mind, Ray Butt, first rule:
Follow it. You're each suspended for a day for violating #1 of the Code of Honor.
Conservatives or REPUBLICANS
who fret over money spent on AMERICA HISTORY & HERITAGE are NOT PATRIOTS...
they are nothing more than rabble rousers.
Little do THEY realize that EACH & EVERY TAX DEDUCTION GIVEN OR TAKEN raises THEIR TAXES !
Corporate TV advertising is also DEDUCTIBLE (cost of doing business)
IF you BONEHEADS wanted less taxes you'd be calling for an END TO ALL DEDUCTIONS...
but NOT ONE OF YOU IMBECILES has EVER done that....WHY ?
Reading is a great gift use it responsibly:
"The privately funded group is putting up $500,000 for the search. The U.S. won't provide money but will offer limited logistical support..."
I just want to state the core conservative principle at work here, which should receive wide support:
Money not spent on me and mine is money that should not be spent.
Do you believe everything you read? Also just how much does Logistical Support cost? Nothing is FREE!! What Kind of $upport do you get for Nothing?
He's only doing it because he hates White people... wants to put the bones on display as a trophy or sell them to his Islamic friends in Saudi Arabia.
Shhhhh...a private group. Riiiiiight!
Maybe you republican'ts can have someone read the article for you.
"The U.S. won't provide money but will offer limited logistical support."
Here's a thought that no one has mentioned...why hasn't DNA testing been done on the bones that were found before committing money and effort to this search?
rcsdinthehills - you do realize that the plane disappeared in 1937, right? The chance of these people still being alive is virtually nil. And why has everyone decided to use "gone missing", "went missing", etc.? That is a British idiom, not American. Here is what one English expert has to say.
NoRightTurn...
"The U.S. won't provide money but will offer limited logistical support."
And why don't you wake up? When has our government offered "logistical" support at no cost to U.S. taxpayer?? Please inform us...
If the truth be known, we'll spend well over the $500K the private sector has collected...
Ya ooooh u spent time away from your family. Big woop. Truckers do too you dont see them crying. lots of other professions spend time from home. U know that when u sign up for the military. They pay big especially for the people who usually join who are uneducated and cant do much else. Today joining the military isnt about defending freedom. Its all about the paycheck and the benefits.
@ E-8989685. Our Military, including all of the contingency costs, does indeed cost $700 billioin a year. But our social programs cost nearly $2 trillion per year, not 70 billion. The total US Budget for 2013 is 3.8 trillion, of which we will borrow over 30%, or 1.3 trillion, which is nearly twice the Millitary budget. Social programs, not the military, are the biggest source of government spending, accounting for over 60% of our federal budget, and 90% of current federal revenues. Learn the facts.
Also, the military is not populated by people who could not work elsewhere. Our military is the most educated in the world, and we earn every penny we get. Truckers only spend a week at a time away from their families. I do that on a regular basis when I am not deployed. When deployed, it can be for up to 15 months at a stretch. Many of our Soldiers come back missing limbs, scarred (physically, mentally, and emotionally), and with injuries that can not be seen, but which are devastating (TBI). They could take a medical pension or retire, but most fight to stay in, and often deploy again and again. As far as the pay, many of our younger Soldiers must apply for food stamps in order to feed their families. In fact, the biggest challenge we face is not losing these brave warriors and leader to the private sector, where they can make many times what they earn in the service. Military Duty is a calling that few can answer. Fewer than 1 in 4 18 year olds can even qualify to enlist due to either their physical condition, or for academic reasons (No HS Diploma, poor entrance exam score, etc). Legal issues also prevent you from serving. But since you have obviously never served, I would not expect you to understand that.
I have had success both outside and within the military, and it has been because of the lessons and work ethics I learned in the Service. But keep voicing your opinion. Generations of US Service Men and Women fought and sacrificed to preserve that right for you!
Still sounds like whining to me.
and your numbers are wrong defense spending is the largest expense in our government by far!
Don't you have a park to occupy now that the weather is nice?
We decided to ditch the park, and set up camp in your front yard, are you OK with that.
I'm not sure what is funnier, circlediamond's dumb comment or the 55 people who liked it. Read before you speak next time. I think the search is a great idea!
ABO 2012
I think it would be cool if they found the plane,but the last paragraph sound like a campaign speech.
"Back in 1937, in the painful recovery from the Great Depression, Amelia Earhart's courage and determination inspired the American people," he added. "Well, hard times are here again and we need that type of courage and determination again ... we're going to try our best to find her, not for ourselves, but for you," the public."
Major Mike, no matter what anyone says, E-8989685 is going to say they're whinning and wrong. He will be the one who is always right no matter what the conversation is. A person could tell him they were in an auto accident and lost a limb and E-8989685 would say they are whinning,uneducated and can't get a job any where. He is your typical know it all. He has the perfect life and everyone else is beneath him. He is so good and so educated that he doesn't need the military to protect his freedoms any more.
Wow! This has been 1 of the greatest mysteries of our time. It would almost be a shame to solve it at this point. Almost. Like all great mysteries- we really cant rest until we solve it. And lets not forget she was one of the greatest aviators of all time and we do owe it to her memory and to ourselves to find the answer to what happened to her- especially as glaring clues unfold before us.
Yes, the end of a mystery is always tinged with a little sadness.
But as you say, there are great potential benefits to this endeavor.
Because while finding remains would also be sad, it would allow us to bring Earhart and Noonan back home to the hero's welcome they never had.
I don't want the government borrowing more money to find an old plane. How many people would be fed with this money?
It isn't just an "old plane"...but I respect your point of view, and think we'll need to agree to disagree on this one.
But it helps the Obama campiagn. They they will look like they are help fighting the phoney "War on womem".
segcpa
I don't want to live in a world where we don't explore and discover and journey and learn due to human over population.
People need to stop having large families (or ONE child, for that matter if they can't feed it) so humanity can grow in a better, happier way.
I'm tired of hearing people, like you, bitch..... when, truthfully, the answer is not: "Don't endeavor" but really:"Don't breed so much"
I only have 2 kids and I want them to be filled with knowledge. It would be a shame if they had to "suffer" because YOU think I'M required to chip in to a mess I did not make.
Just you and your own self awareness I suppose.
THANK YOU!! I could not have said it better myself. People need to start taking responsibility for their own actions - not rely on others (who have made tough and intelligent decisions to better themselves and their children's futures) to bail them out.
This information is a couple of years old. Thought it had all been solved already.
Not at all, JONES. Not at all.
Switching awareness for food is not the best way to live (you know this). THAT is what I'm saying.
segcepa's argument is tiresome and deserved the little kick.
Your assumptions about my character (or lack, there of......do too.)
per the article "The private group is putting up $500,000 for the search, while the U.S. will provide limited logistical support."
So, the government should be borrowing money to feed it's citizens instead? Whaa! nannystate, where's my tax cuts! much?
Did you miss the part of the article that states: "The privately funded group is putting up $500,000 for the search. The U.S. won't provide money but will offer limited logistical support. Transportation Secretary Roy LaHood joined Clinton at the ceremony."
I just want to state the core conservative principle at work here, which should receive wide support:
Money not spent on me and mine is money that should not be spent.
"the right wing, fanatical, tea bagging, wide stance, Bible thumping, flag waving Republicans are balking at participating in the solving of one of the greatest mysteries of the 20th Century? Well, get over it! Republicans have no interest in history other than re-writing it to suit their own needs such as naming everything that stood still too long after a B-Movie Actor who consulted the Star charts when setting his White House agenda. Rename it "Reagan" Island and drag out the "Mission Accomplished" banner and you won't hear a yelp from them."
LOLOL!!! Ahh, I love good sarcasm thats true. Thanks, hilarious! :-)
"People need to start taking responsibility for their own actions - not rely on others (who have made tough and intelligent decisions to better themselves and their children's futures) to bail them out."
Says the news flash from 1812.
Indeed - ABO 2012
Circle obviously didn't read the story or chose to ignore the facts as presented, a hallmark of sourpuss republicans who have to act out everytime they hear Obama mentioned, for fear of being seen as endorsing him.
This is one of the great mysteries of the 20th century, and I hope this investigation will yield useful results.
Hopefully this will solve the mystery once and for all. Amelia should be brought home if at all possible or at the very least we should find out what happened to her.
It's sad and disturbing that just like everything else in the world the right wing hate spinners are on top of this story too. They have no respect for anything and spew their hate and lies every chance they get. These right wing zealot's make me sick with their selfish views, twisted opiions and anti American rhetoric day after day........... My advise to these small minded people; Grow up and join the adults at the big table.
I understand the desire to find out what happened to Amelia Earhart. But after all this time, is there going to be any evidence left?
@Robert-2302414- Look at all the evidence found from the Titanic, and that ship went down in 1912! So, in answering your question, yes, they can still find evidence.
Amelia Earhart's courage and determination inspired the American people," he added. "Well, hard times are here again and we need that type of courage and determination again ...
How is finding this plane and wreckage going to inspire anyone or anything.... more wasted money. Lets say we do find them, so what.. all we will get is some parade in NYC no doubt for the people who made the discovery and nothing for anyone else other then a bill .. what a JOKE !
This isn't new... they've had pretty solid evidence that she ended up there since like 1940.
None of it has proved where she landed, Chris. Evidently you haven't followed the science. What we need is proof that she landed on that reef so we can learn what happened to her.
There are still people who believe Earhart and Fred Noonan were captured by the Japanese in spite of their protestations that they have no records of either of them being in custody. I for one will be glad to know whether she died on the island of dehydration and/or starvation. If her plane is there, that's concrete evidence, along with the shoe fragment (circumstantial) that she landed and died on that rock.
Well, now, Marla, when you're old and lost, we promise we won't look for you. How's that? Does that work for you, if you're lost and we don't know what happened to you?
Think of all the money we'd save! It'll be well worth it. If you happen to be alive, still, it won't make any difference, will it? You'll be glad that we'll save money on a search, right? So as you die of hypothermia, starvation or dehydration, you'll rejoice for all our money saved.
Surely your family won't care by then. They'll prefer the money, too.
Or not.
nice gesture-- not at all practical. Agreed with diamond-- we're facing how many trillions in debt? And we're going halfway around the world looking for an old dead lady?
Practical would be raising revenues to help us out of debt faster. Maybe closing some of those pesky corporate loop holes. Or ending the Bush tax cuts we can't afford.
Why do people fail to read the article, leap to an incorrect conclusion, and post an inane statement? The article clearly says, "The private group is putting up $500,000 for the search, while the U.S. will provide logistical support." (Emphasis added.) In other words, a private group is financing the search.
I'd do it for a young dead lady.
Good grief you guys. Just because we are in debt and the world is full of problems, you want to leave Amelia Earhart's memory to rot in hell? Maybe we are in so much trouble because of attitudes like yours. Old dead ladies obviously mean nothing to you. What does mean anything then, when it comes right down to it? For your information, as far as we know, she was a young lady when she apparently died, by the way.
@Jan,
And we all know that logistical support, if provided by the government, is free of charge, don't we?
@ marla.. NO fn money, just logistical support you doofus!
Just have to wonder where ALL you were during the $1.3 Trillion Dollar war in Iraq - 8 years of silence by the American people, thousands of our own killed and You're worried about taking a look at a Pacific Island for a courageous woman that changed our world for the good.
Go home, relax, and have some cookies and Tea......
the right wing, fanatical, tea bagging, wide stance, Bible thumping, flag waving Republicans are balking at participating in the solving of one of the greatest mysteries of the 20th Century? Well, get over it! Republicans have no interest in history other than re-writing it to suit their own needs such as naming everything that stood still too long after a B-Movie Actor who consulted the Star charts when setting his White House agenda. Rename it "Reagan" Island and drag out the "Mission Accomplished" banner and you won't hear a yelp from them.
Well... Obama needs the female vote! Call it a bail-out, in the literal sense? LOL
It is time to bring an American hero home, so she can be buried on the American soil she was proud of. She was a symbol, at the time, of what America could achieve in the face of the odds. This is what we have forgotten in our modern times the ability to explore and push the limits.
Can some of you for once not make everything political it gets really old and really boring.
Nice, but I'm willing to bet some of them whining about this are from the left wing, radical, ass licking, hand out expecting, bill boarding, atheist, limp wristed Democrats. Reagan? What's the problem? No Democrats of the past fifty years worthy of naming anything after? All the Democrats of the past would make today's conservatives look like spend thrifts. I suspect Truman would change parties if he were here to see the current lot in action. I don't know about star charts, but, your guys seem to have a problem confusing the oval office with a bed room. Are you upset that? Well, are you? Speaking of actors, Obama deserves an Oscar for best political comedy. Except it isn't funny.
Nicodemus1946
and here you go politicizing a story that is not about politics. Off topic and boring.
Why worry about spending $$ on this search (which we aren't doing if you read the article)? Good old Mitt says he's not worried about the poor and Santorum doesn't care about the unemployment numbers. Now, there's two good ol' boys to be proud of. Which one ya' gonna vote for?? Solving the disappearance of Amelia Earheart would be fantastic.
Well, okay-- if you're all right that logistical support won't cost us taxpayers a dime, then I'll stand corrected....after I eat my hat. I would be incredibly surprised that we won't be footing any bill. Yes, it's a mystery-- but solving it doesn't help the nation....does it?
Let's talk about "LOGISTICAL SUPPORT" for a moment, since so many of you seem to feel that this is gonna cost the taxpayers a large fortune.
EXAMPLE: Suppose you live in a large community, and you have a fire department located near by. Through your annual tax payment to the city, you will have already paid for the maintenance of the building, the equipment, upkeep, etc. etc., and the salaries of all the firefighters.... in short, the cost of running the business is covered by your taxes. COOL!
The cost of supporting this entity WILL NOT CHANGE if they have to fight fires in your neighborhood, or just stay in the building waiting for a fire, which may, or may not happen.
LOGISTICAL SUPPORT, whether it's staying in the harbor, on the tarmac, or in a storage facility, will not change all that dramatically.....whether it's being used, or not. If that C-130 [as an example] is in the hanger, or in flight, the only thing that might change dramatically, is the cost of fuel that will be expended.
I'm not saying that LOGISTICAL SUPPORT will cost the taxpayers nothing, but I am saying that the actual cost will be quite minimal, all things considered.
I have no doubt that there will be some who will try to polk holes in this, but.....considering a lifetime profession in the US Air Force [in LOGISTICAL SUPPORT].. [42 yrs]... consider this as the definition of government LOGISTICAL SUPPORT.
Yes lets look at the facts: Logistical support depending on the particular class typically includes: Personnel, Food, Transportation, Construction/Materials, Supplies, Medical help, Use of military equipment/buildings, Planning, Governmental interventions in political matters, armaments, etc. We've provided logistical support for various things in the past and it has cost us from very little eg. girlscouts using a government building for meetings to billions of dollars in supporting Pakistan, Bosnia, etc. So saying that "logistical support" will not cost the taxpayers anything is nuts.
I personally think it would be great to solve the mystery and because of her being a national hero, but at what cost? $10,000, $100,000, or $100 Million? We all know what happens when the government gets involved costs skyrocket. Give me some legit estimates and then I can say if it's a good investment or it's a crazy stunt to buy votes.
That aside, I thought the Discovery Channel or some such showed a story where someone investigated this already and found an engine block and other materials that "likely may" have been from her plane but the corrosion was so bad that it couldn't be determined positively. The bones found were also reportedly human and items on the island were deemed to be from a pilot. So they said it was probably her but we'd never know for sure. So are we just wasting time and money digging up what others have already done for a political stunt?
Duug-- if you're correct, pass me the salt for my hat, please-- I hope you're right. Mike-- I'm remembering a similar documentary-- I thought a woman's shoe had been found, too, or something.
Nicodemus- don't forget to pick up your oscar for the best melodramatic perfomance in a news chat. Truly one of the top "Sour Grapes, Woe-is-me, bitter, the world is out to get me" perfomances to date.
@Marla-3071717- Have you ever taken the time to read any books on Amelia Earhart? If reading a book is a little too much for you, google her name. That will be your lesson for today.
Geri-- arrogant much? I've never found the topic of a glory-seeker terribly interesting-- female or otherwise. I've read about her in history books, blah, blah, blah-- she doesn't interest me so, no, I've never read a book 'on' her...nor shall I.
I hope they finally find them and put all the theories to rest once and for all.
Why bother? The movie stunk!
" the U.S. will provide logistical support"...........want to bet that's going to cost a lot more than the $500,000 put up by private sources?
Holy crap people,
The group is paying for it - logistical support means that they will allow the group access to US government resources (satellite imagery, thermal, historical, etc). Ya'll just can't read any news article at all without losing your minds, now can you?
I agree did Obama forget about the Economy, Jobs, Debt, and all that other stuff. Why bother is right? It is an election year, Obama must think he has aready won, even if they were to find her remains, it would not mean anything to the American people. She flew her Arrogance into History. Let the Dead bury the dead and return to Jesus Christ. We seem to forget Christ and put greed and people ahead of HIM>
The US Navy is always doing training in the south Pacific. Logistical support means the training exercises with be near Gardner Island, at likely next to no added costs. The private research group will be able to get their supplies off of nearby USN ships.
Gerald....What the heck is arrogant about trying to fly around the world? Or is it just because it is a woman and not a man? it would be nice to know what happened to her and her navigator, who by the way was a man. As are as returning to Jesus Christ, it would be a good idea to practice what you preach. Your post is not very Christian.
Did all of you out there saying this isn't going to cost our "government" any money just crawl out from under some rocks somewhere. Everything this "government" does cost us, the American people, in one way or another. Wake up and smell the flowers. This is why this country is in the shape that it is in.
John, we would be practicing and spending our money on these advanced forms of logistics anyway. Might as well practice these procedures on this search.
When you are incompetent, when you take on a lush for a navigator, and when you put so much of your responsibility upon others (taxpayers) for your material support (the USN fleet) only to hoard the credit, you are supremely arrogant.
The Bush admin screwed up America so bad those Great Bull @!$%# BUSH years that it will take several more years for a complete recovery, and now the republicans out there seam to think that the government helping with finding out what happened to a great female American pilot lost many years ago is not worth spending any money on, Get over it. If this was one of your family you would have a different perspective. Some smart people are spending 500k of there money to prove you all wrong.
Gerald-1720848
Luke 4:23 Physician, heal thyself…
Keep the politics out of this. Would you want the government to stop searching for POW's and MIA's cause it cost too much?
Circlediamond, you are right on. "get over it dummy" you are an idiot. Many Americans regardless of political affiliation don't want their money spent on this venture or any other that is similar. Somebody is gonna make money off this documentary from your and my tax money and guess who it will not be?
With all the other real problems facing our nation it seems a waste of taxpayer time and money for this PR stunt. "Limited Statistical Support" nice government spin that will not come cheap. I don't understand the comments using this as a platform for population control. The comments fail to recognize populations are dropping dramatically in much of the world and the aging of population worldwide is developing into an economic challenge.
Russ, this expedition is privately funded. The logistical support that will be provided by the Navy won't cost any more than we'd be spending to have the ships in the area.
It's illegal for the government to make money on a film or documentary, Russ. Are you completely unaware of the Federal laws on that issue? Do we really want our military hiring itself out for money? My response is no, and Hell, no.
Mike-- for realsies? You're equating POWs and MIAs with Amelia Earhart? Her goal was for her glory-- to be the first woman to circumnavigate the globe. This was not someone who served our country in military service-- crazy comparison.
Normally, I would agree with you about logistical support being expensive. But in this case, logistical support is limited to satellite imagery and existing overflight photos (over several years) not normally available to the public. These are passed through security clearance by existing measures not costing taxpayer money, as all surveillance would be screened and vetted anyway. The majority of this search would be done by computer geeks in an imagery lab somewhere. The exciting stuff is only done when searchers are able to be reasonably sure something is there to find. At least that is my understanding.
I want to meet all these people working in the government for free.
peridot, I never said anything about the government making a profit on the documentary and I agree with you; however, the people that are making the documentary are using government resources to find someone that has been dead for a long time. How many people in this country has someone in their life that is missing? Are they getting logistical support to find their loved one?
@Marla, yes for ...realsies. Let's go down your road. Astronauts do not defend our country militarily. Would you consider the Challenger or Columbia astronauts who died less heroic than an army soldier who dies in combat?
What about all the people who died on 9/11? Not soldiers Mar, but I hope you would agree that's it's necessary to spend any amount of money to recover their remains.
So what did you mean by this, Russ? Whom did you mean to make a profit if not the government? Were you referring to yourself? None of us ever make a profit from paying our taxes, that's not an appropriate conclusion to draw from your statement. The only other possible idea to come up with from your idea is the Federal government, because our tax dollars go to them. Your sentence implies that someone makes money from taxes.
Or did you mean tax payers? If that's what you meant I can't see how you got there. Come to think of it, whatintheholyhell did you mean with that loony sentence? I find that I haven't a clue. Whom do you think 9inside your head and on your planet, wherever that is in the universe) ever makes profit from paying taxes?
I'm dying to know. Seriously.
The people making the documentary will make the profit you dang fool. It will not be the government and I never said or implied that and neither will the tax payers. This leaves the people making the documentary.
Peridot I find that you don't have a clue either.
FANTASTIC... like the US government has nothing better to spend its money on than the looking for the bones of a woman who disappeared 75 years ago. "Logistical support" costs a lot of money... thanks Mr. President for wasting more of the money that I have to pay in taxes this year. I so appreciate the fact that you are not applying it something useful like decreasing the national debt, feeding the underprivileged in our country or even helping boost the economy. Don't count on my vote come election time.
hey moron, can you read? The gov't is NOT paying for it, a private group is putting up the money you freakin tard.
Logistical support is free now days??????
Marc Ayers... you obviously have never served time in the military or have any clue as to what the costs of logistical support are. What about salaries, wear and tear on equipment, gas for planes, etc? Before you go calling people morons, maybe you should take a long hard look in the mirror.
Those ships would be somewhere in the Pacific drilling around anyway, JSN. Do you think they'd be in dry dock otherwise? They're always doing workups and practicing war games.
Have you never known anyone in the military? They work so hard that when we change over from Daylight Savings time, they do it in the middle of the day so the military gets that extra work hour. Not to mention they get paid the same salary whether they sit at home or in their plane flying a mission or doing their job on a ship, whatever that happens to be.
Check the mirror. All the foolish you need is right there looking back at you.
I saw an airplane once
Me too, me too!!!
I actually touched one even though I was told not to!
Everyone knows they can't fly. They're too heavy. That's why they crash.
Look! The plane - the plane!!
Obama's leadership of this country reminds me of someone trying to fly an airplane backwards !
"I can see airplanes from my window!"
Bad timing to be spending unnecessary money Mr. Obama.
He's not, how about you read lady.
Even if he WAS spending the money, which he isn't (why don't people learn to comprehend what they read?), it would be more valuable than giving it away to tax cuts to large corps and the oil industry. What, you want all the money to be given to you or something?
People need to realize that we can keep throwing money we know is only going to sit in some rich asses personal bank account to be spent on hookers and cars, but NOOOOOOO we can't have anything positive for history.
marc,
Logistical support will cost millions in fuel alone...
You are the Moron
Next time read the article, Natalie Rumsey. The support ships would be out in the Pacific on workups, irregardless of this investigation.
Typical. Anything but fix our problems. Do they really think this is what Americans want them doing with our time and resources? I know it says somebody else is putting up the money.....but what does it mean exactly when we will provide logistics? Logistics are not free. Its just a shame that these things cant be done under better circumstances. Its not a bad cause....although I dont really see the need for it to be done.
The Japs got them. Ask them!
They left with poor radios, A drunk navigator, and too little fuel.
We have plenty of mysteries in the DEVILS TRIANGLE where we lost pilots that were never found.
Amelia was seeking glory and a name to remember forever. I think she fulfilled her wish.
Good point, on 12/5/45 the Navy lost 27 sailors in the Bermuda Triangle... Google "Flight 19".
If you're going to spend taxpayers money then that would be a more worthy endeavor.
She didn't have a poor radio. Her receiving antenna was strung along the bottom of the airplane, and the last time she took off, it was pulled off. There's video of it. That's why they couldn't radio directions to her. They could hear her, but she couldn't hear them.
The best explanation of the Bermuda Triangle is that there are a lot of methane releases in that area from under the ocean, and since it's lighter than air, it kills airplane engines. It also makes the altimeter read like it's ascending when it's level, so a pilot can compensate by diving the plane, thinking that he's leveling off, and go right into the ocean.
Flight 19 was off course. They thought they were West of Florida when they were actually East. They kept flying East, out into the Atlantic, hoping to see land, until they ran out of fuel.
Amelia Earhardt was on the other side of the world from the Bermuda Triangle. Flight 19 was led by a wrong way leader. He got lost in the Pacific and had to bail out at least once before. He should have been drummed out of the Navy. Instead he was send back and allowed to kill an entire flight of pilots. It would have been more surprising had they returned safely from their mission, RealChris.
Methane doesn't kill airplane engines (it's more flammable than O2). It interferes with their ability to fly: since it's lighter than air, they fall from the sky.
I watched people experiment with a large propellor engine. They pumped methane gas into its intakes, and it shut down.
So, let's review. I never said Amelia Earhardt was anywhere near the Bermuda Triangle.
I said Flight 19 was off course.
And methane does kill propellor-driven airplanes.
I guess the point of your post was to make you feel superior. How you feelin'?
Amelia Earhart was a hero before she made this flight. She was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, or is this history you don't know? She was the second person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, after Charles Lindbergh. She wanted to be the first woman to fly around the world at the equator, a 29,000 trip. She was the first woman to make the attempt. Her first attempt failed in a ground loop crash. The second departure she made in the other direction.
In South Florida I stood on the exact spot from which she took off for her last flight. She has always inspired me.
As far as the radio issue goes:
http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq3-1.htm
Low frequency radio signals were a problem in locating them after they crash-landed.
If methane was connected directly to the intake, no doubt that transpired. In a free release of methane, which I've observed, the plane falls in a nose dive.
Reread what you wrote. Your paragraph construction implied that Earhart was in the Bermuda Triangle when she ran out of fuel. A single topic per paragraph makes it easier for others to understand your communication.
The point of all posts is to communicate. Feelings are irrelevant.
What a waste of money and resources! It, however, does not surprise me that Obumble endorses such a fool's folly. Anything to spend, spend, spend tax payer dollars. I can not wait until November to cut off his purse strings! Vote him in again and he'll endorse the search for Big Foot...
Logistical support will probably be provided by military aircraft and ships that have to be run for training anyway, so the net cost will be zero.
$$$$Zero?????????
Do you realize it cost $1000's of dollars per hour to operate aircraft and ships? The U. S. Military will eat up that 500K in one day. Just an F16 costs over $3000 an hour to fly.
I believe Cynical is talking about space-available military flights, which means they will be flying to the area regardless of whether this search was taking place or not, so the additional cost to the US government WOULD be zero. Article doesn't specify what type of logistic support though. If we are talking space-A flights, high-grade GPS access, and maps, then the cost is negligible if not zero.
silvercc: I don't believe that F-16s will be needed. Did you read the post you are responding to?
No, I didn't think you did.
silvercc -
While I am unsure about the "final monetary cost", Here's the thing - if the Navy is doing operations in the area anyway, they are already spending money to perform "practice missions", this could be used to fulfill both "practice" and "real-world" goals. The ASW aircraft and helos could use this as an "actual target" to search for and the opportunity exists to perform "real-world" SAR and salvage operations.
You need to study cost accounting.
You are right, the cost will be zero to the government, but it will cost us dearly.
It seems to be costing you in stress, concern, and worry.
WHO CARES ?
There is no benefit to this search; Amelia's airplane is ancient technology so there's no "safety discoveries"
to be made or "mechanical issues" to be remedied, the "answer" to her disappearance doesn't really matter
to anybody and I would think whatever "relatives" she has left won't achieve any great benefit either.
Amelia was a "daredevil" and a bit of a "glory hound" so she took her chances, gambled and lost her bid
for the "immortality" she so badly sought, and [honestly] if she had lived would she even be that big of a
deal as she is because of her "mysterious disapperance" ?
Is "curiosity" worth all of this ? I think NOT
The Amelia's of the world are what makes it worth it. To push the limits and expand ones boundaries makes life livable. Mundane is not living.
You don't care about the issue, Cdmcky. That's your opinion. There are others in the world. For 75 years people have wondered about this mystery, so you're in the minority. You're free to be distressed about that.
BTW, she's already achieved immortality. If you've never heard of her, I weep for your lack of education. Then again, perhaps not. There's an easy cure for that and you clearly have access to the internet. Educate yourself or not, it's irrelevant.
"Safety discoveries" and "Mechanical issues" are irrelevent and I am sure Amelias family would disagree that the answer to her disappearance doesn't matter. The benefit to the remaining relatives of finally knowing the location of her final resting place would certainly bring closure and finally peace of mind. Human curiosity is worth much more than anyones ignorance.
CDMCKY-4496465 Who cares? I do. And I think she achieved the immortality you claim she "lost her bid for"....she certainly has enduring fame (one definition of immortality.) I think it is important and worth our efforts to solve the mystery...as do other posters.
Well CD, it sounds as if you personally knew her, and we're all glad that you could present us with your personal knowledge about what she was "really" like. Take a break, have a cup of coffee, and turn on FOX... don't worry, you don't even have to change the dial, as it's stuck on FOX.
CDMiCKEY- Amelia Earhart's fame has endured for 70+ years, and will continue to do so.
When you are dead and gone, how long will anyone remember YOU?
Was Charles Lindbergh a 'glory hound'? He first crossed the Atlantic solo in an airplane. Earhart was the second person to do it solo and the first woman. What makes him a 'hero' and her a 'glory hound'? How is she a 'daredevil'?
Please, do explain the difference.
taps fingers expectantly on table
since its not your money, wtf do you care?
Of course, nobody is going to post the mysterious photo so the rest of us can see it. Isn't that how these things happen?
Old News
Them bones are from a monkey or something
They may find Jimmy Hoffa, too.
Sure the Mob and Big Union money made sure that would never happen.
Now this article is really annoying. It's all about the new photo analysis of an old photo, but do they show us the photo in question? Of course not - we get photos of her face (which we could look up anywhere) and an old bone fragment. Where is the photo on which the entire article is based?
This is just bad journalism, frankly. Show us the photo in question and give us the analytical explanation so that we can decide for ourselves, please.
It is not only bad journalism but also propaganda. The whole thing is a diversion. Anyone who actually believes any of this is nothing more than an example of the robots programmed by the political society of this country. When things are in the toilet, i.e., the state of affairs, the best way to get people distracted is to throw something at them that makes no difference whatsoever. LIKE HELL it isn't going to cost!
We have to stay tuned and watch the Discover channel special to learn the answer. I'm excited about this. I've followed every development of this case since I first read a biographical book about Ms Earhart when I was 6.
We certainly live in exciting time! Who else is reminded of the Chinese curse?
It would seem to me that the "logistical support" - yes, it probably costs us some $$$ - is better viewed as a "training exercise" by the military. Sure, they looking for Amelia but they might as well be looking for a downed American pilot (or his/her remains) in some other foreign country. "Logistical support?" Money well spent as far as I'm concerned. I'd rather spend it on that than bombing Iran.
This information has been known for years, including the information about the wheel. I saw a documentary on it a couple of years ago. Someone just decided to do something about it.
I don't think they will ever find her and it is only specutation now, 75 years is very long time but it people want to know what happen to Amelia.....
This isn't about being a democrat or a republican. This is about being an American and doing the right thing. She was an American hero. We don't leave our hero's behind no matter what and no matter how long it takes and no matter how much it costs us. We need to go and find her and her companion lay them to rest.
I just KNEW someone would find a way to tie this back to the President. I am totally out of patience with these types. Anyone with a curious mind wants to know what happened to Earhart. It's an enduring legend, part of our national epic mythology, like the Titanic. This has NOTHING to do with politics. Obviously the political fear mongers didn't read the entire article! Sheesh....what a bunch of paranoid fanatics! Louise....well said!
Louise,
If we adhere to your conviction then we should be looking for every pilot, seaman, etc. that was listed as lost at sea during WWII.....hundreds of them. Amelia was an adventurer and she was trying to accomplish a first. She was lost at sea just like hundreds, if not thousands of military personnel in WWII.....Let her rest in peace.
jeff-362275
Good point. JPAC is short handed, and the list of potential sites for remains of our guys from WWII, Korea and Vietnam is long. With WWII alone the sites stretch from the Balkans to Papua New Guinea and all places between. Some crash sites are known; however, it is just a matter of getting to them. This requires more $ and manpower than we have available. It's a shame that some Hollywood "star" can't donate his/her status to the cause.
How much more tax dollars can you waste Obama?
President Obama is a Democrat, not a Republican. 96% of our deficit and a little over 74% of our debt are directly linked to Republican presidents/Policies.
Very true JXC, just google debt pres by pres, and for the last 70 years the Dems paid down the debt to GDP ratio, and the Repubs added to it. Neither party is good, Dems tax and spend and Repubs borrow and spend. Obama has not been able to raise taxes to cover things, and congress won't quit spending, and it is congress who decides how much to spend, not the President.
Time for you to make that popping sound
All of them?
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I see where some posters are knocking the President for wasting money looking for this woman, but on the other side, even more would knock this black President if he DIDN'T look for this white woman.
Hey, there's thousands of missing black children, hell, white children too, all across America, anyone looking for them?
Better using military assests doing that then getting killed in Bush's war zone.
Before making asinine statements such as the above, a check of the facts will show this country has gone to war many more times under a democrat's administrations than a republican's. " Fact ", it's a noun used in the real world. Look it up and pass the definition on to the rest of your liberal friends.
Perhaps that's so, Elrod, but YOU should consider the circumstances of those wars (i.e. WWII) when WE were attacked and responded in self defense rather than fictional, paranoid pretenses like WMD.
Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity in some circumstances.