DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

This has recently happened & really pisses me off. A US Harrier 'jump jet' was running low on fuel & was forced to jettison a couple of bombs on the Great Barrier Reef, which is our world famous icon. According to the media, the bombs could explode & seriously damage the reef. They have insinuated that the Aussie government is going to sue the US government for billions of dollars in damages. They are also playing up the mystery of 'which country gave the order to drop 'em, as it was a joint exercise?'

It was no more than an operational incident with a minimum threat to third parties & habitat, until the media sensationalized it. (Don't let the truth stand in the way of a good story). Here is the truth. Yes, the US pilot was forced to jettison the bombs over the GBR. However, the bombs were unfused & there is virtually no chance of their exploding. Before the bombs were dropped, the situation was discussed by both US & Aussie authorities, but it is not clear who gave the actual order to drop 'em. (Who gives a crap anyway). If it is decided to retrieve the bombs, both countries will negotiate on any costs involved.

Sorry to have vented, but one-eyed, half true, sensationalized media hypes really annoy me. Earl.

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

Thanks for the update Earl...lets hope things get worked out without causing any damage to the greatest dive site on earth

ggttc Loc: TN

There is no such thing as good media anymore...I worked for a newspaper for 15 years...and we were fair...but today its not news...its entertainment...the stupid stories get coverage...while the real aches and pains of the world we live in are barely noticed.

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

What else is new. The media likes to make things much worse than they realy are.Those bombes never will explode. The big secreat is what kind of bombs were they?? What did they contain?

tschmath Loc: Los Angeles

As usual, let's see a source for this post.

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

I heard this on the News this afternoon... very sorry to hear it. I know there are people pissed off about it and I don't blame them but mistakes can and are made. You are right about the media but still sorry about the reef.

user name

It appears that you are unfamiliar with search engines, like Google. So, try this: http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/21/world/asia/australia-reef-u-s-bombs

farmerjim Loc: Rugby, England

Read the same story in the Daily Telegraph this morning. I agree with you Earl. The DT reported , no damage done, bombs will be recovered by divers ASAP and every-thing was discussed and agreed before they dropped them. So what's the big fuss.................there ain't one of course, it's the bloody tabloid press and irresponsible media stirring it up as per.
String 'em up along-side the politicians :thumbup:

Sierracoyote Loc: Sierra Nevada Mountains

That would be a GOOD story... :lol:

Mercer Loc: Houston, TX, USA

I love it when an attempt to trivialize (step one of liberal argument process 101) fails like this one did.

pigpen

IF these bombs are truly harmless, wouldn't they just ADD to the reef & the marine life just grow around/on top of them??

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

Hi everybody. Thanks for your comments. It appears that the bombs were dummies (filled with concrete), lol. You should have heard all the bleeding heart do-gooders on the talk back radio stations. Some of them want military exercises banned completely. I think every country has their bleeding hearts, God bless their little souls. Earl.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

But- concrete has lime in it, wouldn't that hurt the Reef? Have a good day, eh?

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

Concrete has been used in large quantities for marine structures (pylons, jetties, etc) all over the world for many years with no adverse affect on marine life. As a matter of fact, scrapped concrete blocks/rubble is commonly disposed of at sea. It creates a haven for fish.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

So in other words much ado about nothing.