But why stop there? This next one, supposedly penned by a pilot, is much more fun ...

Unfortunately, the likelihood of Sen. Wellstone being murdered now approaches 100 percent. Fact: Pilots called the tower at 7 miles from touchdown at 150 knots with glide angle of 5 degrees. Fact: Both pilots became unconscious at exactly the same moment with no call of any problem received by tower. Fact: Plane observed by ground witnesses to "drift" in final flight. Fact: Below 3,000 feet visibility was good and no icing. Fact: Initial NTSB reports state forward wing de-ice controls were operational. Fact: If I were in my pilot seat and became unconscious and slumped forward, my chest would push the plane into a 15 degree pitch angle. All ground observers cite 15 degree angle of final approach. So, two dead pilots, no radio calls of mechanical failure, and an uncontrolled final approach? Assassination by barometrically released gas and thermite ignition. Sorry, but Bush and his boys play for keeps and we have begun to see what an incredibly corrupt gang of oil thugs they actually are.

Yes, I see. Let's examine this one a piece at a time. But I'd like to begin by stating that I do not necessarily disagree with the writer's final sentence, which makes the rest of the mess even more irritating because the plausibility level is so low. The kernel of his sentiment aside, a fool and his credibility are soon parted. Ready, go ...

Unfortunately, the likelihood of Sen. Wellstone being murdered now approaches 100 percent.

Fact: It's always clever to begin with an illogical premise and work illogically from there.

Pilots called the tower at 7 miles from touchdown at 150 knots with glide angle of 5 degrees.

Fact: What he's trying to say here is that prior to things getting weird, the plane was theretofore established on a normal and uneventful approach. "Five degrees" is very technical -- must be airplane talk. (Actually it's a few degrees steeper than a typical approach, but the proposition is accepted.)

Both pilots became unconscious at exactly the same moment with no call of any problem received by tower.

Fact: Nobody has any idea who was unconscious or when or why they became that way. And in the heat of battle, especially when trouble requires their full attention, pilots will not "call the tower" to discuss the matter.

Plane observed by ground witnesses to "drift" in final flight.

Fact: Eyewitness accounts of air crashes are notoriously inaccurate and wildly inconsistent. But regardless: yes, the plane was probably drifting in one manner or another, since it was on its way to crashing.

Below 3,000 feet visibility was good and no icing present. Initial NTSB reports state that forward wing de-ice controls were operational. [Note: Ice buildup, which can be dangerous, especially on smaller planes like this one, is a suspected culprit.]

Fact: Like turbulence, icing conditions are fickle and unpredictable, and nobody can say whether icing existed or not, or if the plane was carrying any accretion from the minutes prior. And on small airplanes, rapid icing can overcome even operational de-ice controls. Meanwhile, "initial" reports from the National Transportation Safety Board are just that.

If I were in my pilot seat and became unconscious and slumped forward, my chest would push the plane into a 15 degree pitch angle. All ground observers cite a 15 degree angle of final approach.

Fact: But you said it was five degrees. Increased to 15 as they went along, is that the idea? Either way, this slumping business is ludicrous. Slumping against the controls could result in any manner of descents and/or angles of bank, most likely building in severity until the plane hit the ground. Topping off the nonsense, we're asked to believe witnesses glanced upward, caught sight of a crashing airplane, and (with protractors ready?) measured out 15 degrees of pitch. Accurately judging the descent angle from below would be quite difficult even for pilots.

Assassination by barometrically released gas and thermite ignition.

Fact: With all the causes and apparent injustices in the world worthy of your time and a frothy letter, you chose this one, which was probably a bad idea.

Warning: E-mail writers are asked to restrain from the gratuitous use and placement of the word "fact" when dissenting to the opinions just expressed.

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