Cooper Skyjacking Solved ?

On November 24, 1971 a man boarded a Northwest Airlines Boeing 727 using the alias Dan Cooper. He was nicely dressed and carried an attache case in which he informed the stewardess he had a bomb. He demanded $200,000.00 in unmarked bills or he would blow up the plane. He tied the 22 lb. bag of ransom money to himself, donned a parachute, and jumped.

A thorough search of the drop zone located in the forest of the Cascade mountains yielded no clues. With no further information to guide them, the FBI presumed the jumper to be dead. Yet they had no body and no bag of money to verify this. The case went cold.

A new investigation has revealed what seems to be solid evidence against one man named Kenny Christianson. He had the training and the motive to pull of such a stunt.

Kenny Christianson was a paratrooper in the United States Army. He learned how to jump under all types of scenarios. He learned how to land in trees, how to handle bad weather conditions, and even how to jump with heavy equipment attached to him. He served for two years and then got a job with Northwest Airlines refueling airplanes.

The airline industry has a history of layoffs and strikes. Kenny was no exception to this and he became disgruntled. It is possible that Kenny masterminded the plan as a way to stabilize himself financially, but also as means to get back at the airlines for the years of job insecurity.

Kenny's own brother is convinced it was him. He told the FBI that Kenny had no money before the skyjacking, but was spending plenty after it. He also never again wore his toupee.

Then there is the photo. It shows Kenny with the right style coat, attache case, and bag (like a money bag) walking through a door way. His appearance resembles exactly what was described by witnesses.

In the attic of his house investigators found a cubby hole/trapdoor that looks as if it was intended to hide something...something about the size of a money bag. Years later a boy found a cache of money behind Christianson's house. The lucky kid got to keep half of it.
Even with all this new information, the FBI remains steadfast in their belief that the jumper died that day and are reluctant to consider Christianson as a prime suspect.

It has been dubbed the perfect crime and for now the case must officially remain an unsolved mystery.
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Several changes in airline industry came as a result of the 1971 Thanksgiving skyjacking. Modern airplanes have a lock on the cargo door so that it can not be opened from the inside. Metal detectors and other scanning equipment were introduced as a direct result of the event.

The question remains... could someone survive jumping out of an airplane at 10,000 ft. in the freezing rain with a 22lb weight attached to him? The answer is yes. Another skyjacker jumped from a plane 6,000 ft. higher and survived.

An experienced skydiver, with Christianson's same military training, verified that a successful jump can be made with a much  heavier weight attached and in practically any weather condition.
The jumper ordered the captain to stay below 10,000 feet and set the flaps at a 15 degree angle. It was clear that the jumper had a vast knowledge of airplanes and used that knowledge to his advantage.

Could Christianson's friend Bernie have been an accomplice? Bernie says no, but there are several holes in his story. Why was he late for Thanksgiving dinner and why won't he answer about the location of his camper? I think he knows more than he is saying.

Treacherous Aaron Burr

"He is a dangerous opportunist; I feel it is my religious duty to oppose his career!" - Alexander Hamilton

Aaron Burr is best known as the American Vice President who got away with murder. Serving under Thomas Jefferson from 1801-1804, he shocked the nation by mortally wounding his prominent political opponent Alexander Hamilton in a duel; Hamilton died a few days later.

Hamilton detested Burr. When Burr ran against Jefferson in 1800 for the presidency, it was Hamilton's vote that cost Burr the victory. The two vehemently disagreed with one other over many topics, but it was Hamilton's unfavorable statements to the public that ignited Burr's fury.

Insulted, Burr demanded restitution. Their encounter, which could have ended with a simple apology, escalated to tragedy. Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel.

A sad irony was the fact that the ground chosen for the "affair of honor" happened to be the exact same place where Hamilton lost a son two years before. Burr shot Hamilton in the stomach; the bullet lodging next to his spine. Although undeniably guilty of murder, Burr remained untouchable by the law as long as he was serving as Vice President.

After yet again losing a bid for the presidency, Burr plotted to create an independent empire out of the Louisiana Territory...whereas he would immediately assume the role of emperor. But before he could put his traitorous plan in to action, he first had to find a powerful ally to back him. He looked to the British Empire.

When England denied him assistance, Burr found a co-conspirator in Col. Wilkerson, the leader of the U.S. Army. Wilkerson led a band of rebels toward New Orleans, but soon thought better of it. Attempting to save his own skin, Wilkinson turned on Burr exclaiming, "it was all his idea."

Burr was captured in the Louisiana Territory and sent to Virginia to be placed on trail. Miraculously, Burr was acquitted of all the charges due to a technicality and was subsequently set free. He then fled to Europe where he continued to solicit support for his self-righteous revolution.

With no one to back him, Burr eventually returned to New York and resumed his occupation as lawyer. And although all the charges against him had been dropped, including Hamilton's death, his reputation remains forever tainted.

His greatest sadness, however, was the death of his daughter Theodosia whose ship had been lost at sea. From that time forward Burr said he felt "severed from the human race."

Bomb Detecting Plants?

Move over bomb sniffing dogs, now we've got plants to do the job.

Researchers at Colorado State University are bio-engineering a new species of plant specifically designed to detect bombs and odorless fumes. The hope is that we can use this new science to aid in the fight against terrorism and for more domestic use (i.e. airport security, private home gas leak detection, and etc.).

Their theory is based on the idea that they can manipulate a plants natural defense mechanism through its DNA to create a desired effect. When a plant senses danger it naturally reacts by releasing chemicals specifically designed to ward off bugs or whatever else might be threatening it. Researchers believe all they have to do is tweak the DNA responsible for controlling the chemicals. The plant's new reaction is to visibly change color. And already results are promising.

Reportedly leaves turn from green to white when in contact with certain specific substances. Only, at this stage the change takes time to occur and at its present speed would not be very helpful in identifying any immediate danger. But researchers are confident that with each new generation of plant they come closer and closer to reaching their goal.

The Grattan Massacre and the Birth of Crazy Horse

Sometimes the greatest happening's are born from the most trivial of circumstances.

In the days when white settlers were looking for a new start on the west coast, travel across country was harsh. If the elements didn't get you then hunger would, it seemed. Food was scarce and that made livestock a valuable commodity. A single cow could mean the difference between life and death.

One day in 1854 a cow wandered away from his wagon train and into the lair of the Brule' Lakota (Sioux) Indians. The owner of the cow went to the camp to reclaim his property and found that it had already been devoured. The furious owner then demanded that whoever killed the animal be handed over to pay for his crime. The chief refused. The chief then offered several fine horses as payment for the cow, but the cow's owner refused to negotiate. The situation was reported to the military at Ft. Laramie, Nebraska.

A young military officer named 2nd Lt. John L. Grattan had been looking for a way of making himself stand out among his peers. This was just the opportunity he had been waiting for and he arrogantly decided to handle the situation himself. He took a company of armed men to the camp and yet again asked the chief to surrender the offender. When the chief would not submit to Grattan's request a soldier took aim and shot him. This was the moment that forever changed history.

In that instant any restraint there had been between the two societies vanished. Bullets flew wildly and dead bodies lay all around. Enraged warriors immediately retaliated. Ninety percent of the soldiers who accompanied Grattan were wiped out. The cold blooded event was later labeled the Grattan Massacre and resulted in a war that lasted nearly thirty years.

There was no doubt that the situation was handled badly, but to kill a military man was to take on the entire establishment...and the establishment had been embarrassed. There was no other option for the military but to impose greater restrictions on the Lakota and force them into submission.

The Grattan Massacre was seen through the eyes of a young native boy which forever imparted on him the determination to be a great leader among his people. He trusted no white man and became a relentless thorn in their side. He was the mighty Crazy Horse.

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There is no official picture of Crazy Horse. He stood out among his own people not just mentally, but also physically. He was fairer skinned, and had lighter brown curly hair. And he had a vision that he could not be killed during battle.

It is believed that Crazy Horse was the first warrior across the river when Custer's troops attacked at the battle of the Little Big Horn and that he is responsible for the regiments complete annihilation.

Crazy Horse didn't have a legitimate title of chief, though, warriors eagerly followed him. He had an intense warrior's spirit, lethal skill with a weapon, and natural leadership abilities.

He wore an embellished buckskin shirt that his people gave to him to symbolize his value in their society (the shirt had previously been taken away from him for irresponsibly taking another man's wife).

Crazy Horse realized that the situation between his nation and the white man was dire. He understood that he may have won battles, but was ultimately losing the war. It was with a heavy heart that he made his way to Fort Robinson, Nebraska to talk of peace. And although he knew there was little chance of his return, he risked his life for the good of his people.

The long anticipated meeting convened as planned, however, a disgruntled interpreter intentionally miscommunicated Crazy Horse's words; Crazy Horse felt something was terribly wrong and that he was being led into a trap.

Just short of the guard house, Crazy Horse bolted. Caught and detained by one of his own, Crazy Horse was bayoneted in a kidney by a soldier. He died a painful death with his father at his side. It was his vision come true.

Crazy Horse died not on the battlefield, but in the midst of betrayal. Tragic though it was, he died a hero to his people and as an inspiration to others. Long live the memory of Crazy Horse.

Play Polo, Not War!

In 336 B.C. Alexander the Great was busy making the world his empire. Knowing that time to defend his homeland was drawing near, Persian Emperor Darius III sent Alexander a polo mallet and ball along with a note saying, "Play polo, not war!" It is not known if the match was ever played, but Alexander did indeed take over Persia.