Gordon Forgey

Flight 370 is still missing.

As of this writing, no debris from the plane has been located on the ocean surface.

However, through some very sophisticated guess work and complicated calculations, the search area has been defined.

It is being refined more tightly now because the Australians with American equipment finally received the long sought after “pings” from the flight recorder devices.

The electronic signals have been acquired four different times.

Search commanders are giving some very positive statements about ultimately being able to narrow down the position of the black boxes.

Once this is accomplished, then the undersea search can begin. This may lead to finding the recorders and, most likely, the plane itself.

The Australians are not claiming the search is over, but they are giving very positive indications that a new stage in the search may be beginning.

The outcome of all this may be concrete knowledge about what happened to the flight and what can be done to prevent such tragedies in the future. Already there is serious consideration to better equip airliners with a new generation of electronics to help keep track of all planes in the air. The technology is already available. It just needs to be applied.

As such, the final stages of this tragedy may come down to economics.

Airlines will not voluntarily pony up the money to make the changes any more than automakers will voluntarily fix defects or food processors will eliminate harmful ingredients.

It is still a world where the old warning of caveat emptor or “buyer beware” is appropriate.

That will always remain the case, but consumer awareness and public pressure can make for important changes.

Special Thanks

Bill Carroll of the Growers Guide was at the fire in Palouse and graciously brought us his photos to share with Gazette readers. He was on scene before some of the response units. He didn’t explain why he was already awake and dressed that early in the morning, but we appreciate his generosity. Thanks, Bill.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher