Robin, I know you wouldn't post something here you knew wasn't true. And it is a valid post, because it is information that reflects somebody's version of events. We are entitled to read it, but we must also evaluate it. Let's do that.

Who loses in this scenario? Egypt loses stature in the Mideast, and Muslims lose stature worldwide. Who would want that? Israel desperately needs the second, but not the first. It needs the tentative friendship of Egypt more than ever, now that it is clear the US is revealed as a phony ally of Israel.

What does this story leave out? The stopover at a US Air Force base known for cloak-and-dagger stuff. It's a loose end that should be explained. But it isn't. In fact, this story covers up that fact.

Who gains? The US, certainly, since we can no longer be blamed for something that happened off our shores. And, as an example of heroic sacrifice, the Jihad movement gains prestige because the victims were "traitors to Islam." Well, yes, a few other totally innocent passengers, but what the hell. But why would the US dish out a story that fosters global resentment against fundamentalist Islam, at a time when we, through our media, are playing up the Palestinians?

I don't know. Be interesting to see who picks up this story and who doesn't. That would tell us alot.