Cave Rescue Mission Expected to Begin(things that make you go Mmmmm

[Florida_Geek]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Mexico-Trapped-Cavers.html

Cave Rescue Mission Expected to Begin
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: March 25, 2004


Filed at 3:09 a.m. ET

CUETZALAN DEL PROGRESO, Mexico (AP) -- A stalled effort to rescue five British military cave divers and their civilian guide trapped underground for eight days should swing into action shortly, according to England's acting ambassador to Mexico.

The three-day underground tour turned into an indefinitely long stay after rising water blocked the entrance to the Alpazat caverns in the central state of Puebla, 110 miles northeast of Mexico City
...cut...

Meanwhile, the trapped cavers have touched off a diplomatic spat between Mexico and Britain.

President Vicente Fox ordered a letter sent to London and demanded to know if the cave divers were engaged in a military training exercise

..more at AP

[Judi Lynn]

1. It's damned odd, isn't it?

From the article:

Stocked with provisions to last until the weekend and equipped with rock-penetrating radios, the explorers had turned down help from Mexican rescuers, saying they will wait while a pair of trained British rescuers travel here from London.

But British ambassador Vijay Rangarajan said the two specialists will work in conjunction with the Mexican military, navigating through 330 feet of flooded tunnels in order to reach a dry area where the trapped explorers are holed up. He said the rescue effort should start Thursday.

The cave diving expedition featured members of Britain's Combined Services -- which encompasses the army, navy and air force. Puebla authorities released the names of five trapped military officials and their British guide on Wednesday, but officials in London refused to verify the lists. No home towns were given.
(snip/...)

So why shouldn't Mexico be given information on these peeps? It's not exactly as if it's none of Mexico's business, after all.

It would be very interesting knowing what the heck they were doing there.

[tlcandie]

2. Why on earth would they turn down help and await Brits to fly over?

Guess we MIGHT find out. Very odd indeed! :shrug:

[Algorem]

4. Bloody impolite Mexicans wouldn't show them "no steenking badges."

gold?ancient indian treasure?alien bases?

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. Eight days? This reminds me of the song "Timothy"

Does someone remember the words?

[Buns_of_Fire]

5. Only bits and pieces

Trapped in a mine that had caved in...

...and Joe said he would sell his soul for just...
a piece...
of meat...

Timothy, Timothy,
Joe was lookin' at you
Timothy, Timothy,
God, what did we do?

By the Bouys (sp?), I think. Another one of the cheery little songs of the 70's. We sure knew how to live it up back then, didn't we?

[Algorem]

6. Good Gawd it was written by Pina Calada Song Rupert Holmes.What a

talented guy not. http://www.lyricsxp.com/lyrics/t/timothy_the_buoys.html

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. Man, did we know how to sing a story?

I'm not knocking today's music, but, it's all anger and teenage angst. Some of the stuff is pretty good, but it's all a repeat of the same emotions. I'd like to see people recognize that music can be used for far more creative purposes, and still achieve the same impact.

[keithyboy]

8. Hey, aren't they in our hemisphere? Monroe doctrine?

What if they were Chinese military? Oh, oh, double-standard Monroe Doctrine.