On NBC they explained that there are certain circumstances where transmission could have been shut down due to mechanical problems, in which case a mayday wouldn't have been able to be sent.

Also, those passports were stolen two years ago. It could have been criminals rather than terrorists traveling on the plane.

I'm not suggesting anything; just repeating what was reported on NBC.

It is hard not to think of bad things in this day and age.

That's true. With respect to air travel safety all we can do is wait and see and keep the familys' involved in our thoughts and prayers.

Not sure why disaffected Irish nuns would have a problem with Malaysia (source of flight) or with Beijing (the destination) or this airline or some other reason why this flight may or may not have been targeted. Think back to that old adage of motive, means and opportunity. There are a huge number of Muslims in Malaysia. Islam in Malaysia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If anything, the terrorists probably would be anti-Muslim or anti-Chinese ones if this turns out to be a case of terrorism. I really doubt that however as no one has taken responsibility. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ebf9065a-a...#axzz2vT3BkJqm http://www.ft.com/home/us

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysi...nes_Flight_370

Yes, if it were a terrorist act, there really is no sense in blowing an asset up along with a plane of 240 people and not take credit.

The only things that could make sense is if the pilot had a suicide wish and carried it out, someone was targeted by a suicide assassin and somehow managed to take down the plane, computer malfunction, pilot heart attack and co-pilot incompetence, etc.

There have been terrorists groups around since the time of the Persian Wars, those between Carthage and Rome, as well as all over the Bible. The fight involving the Tribes of Israel, Moses, and the Egyptian pharaoh does look like terrorism. 10 Plagues of Egypt List

What I am trying to say is that terrorism is just not an Islamic phenomenon.

Much to the disbelief of many

The aircraft was last reported to be at 35,000 feet, almost seven miles above the water. It would take awhile for it to hit the water or ground. Most people these days have a cell phone. Why, as far as we know, were no frantic calls being made during these crucial minutes?

It was also reported this morning that the pentagon has not seen any explosion in that part of the world, while reviewing their satellite images.

That was probably a dead zone for cell phone coverage.

Good point. I hadn't thought of that, but you are correct. The area where the plane was last reported was a dead zone for radar contact.

Terrorism is not just an Islamic phenomenon in history but in our current history Islamic terrorism is a major phenomenon.

You have got to be kidding right? Of course terror groups have been around forever. But, if a terror act occurs in the modern world, what is the MOST likely explanation of who did it? We all know the answer even though we're not supposed to say so publicly. But I will say it here... loud and clear.

IF an act of terror occurs today around the world, by far the MOST likely explanation is an Islamic group or person is behind it. (my comment about the nuns was a joke! sorry I didn't make it plainer). I'm not saying it's 100% always Muslim or Islamic related ... but it's 90% plus and probably high 90 per cent.

Tell me directly ... do you disagree or not?

Against the US or US interests. Yes, these are usually based in jihadic movements based on some aspect of Islamic thought.

Other parts of the world have all kinds of different terrorists. List of terrorist incidents, 2010 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ncidents,_2014

As a target, the Sochi Olympics would probably bring in mainly terrorists involved with Russian interests and Russia. This downed plane, if it was the victim of some terrorist plot, probably involves some separatists angry with Malaysia or China.

That's a reasonable reply. I would also note that, in the examples you cite (Chechen, Malaysian, Chinese) the common thread to these groups is the Muslim religion. It's more complicated than that with various other drivers (nationalism, Russian oppression etc). But, my point is simply that modern day terrorism will usually have a Muslim or Islamic factor involved.

This is another way of saying that the contemporary Muslim religion, compared to others, tends to be more violent, and often finds expression in acts of terrorism. (It would be interesting to discuss what these reasons might be but that's a topic for a separate thread.)

I also think that others' comments about dead cell zones, and the mystery as to why the plane just disappeared are helpful. We don't know all the particulars at this juncture.

ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 777-2H6ER 9M-MRO Malaysian coast [South China Sea]

Interesting database which has an entry for this lost plane.