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| Afghanistan/South Asia |
| Tribe shoots arrows at aid flight |
| 2005-01-04 |
| An Indian helicopter dropping food and water over the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been attacked by tribesmen using bows and arrows. There were fears that the endangered tribal groups had been wiped out when massive waves struck their islands. But the authorities say the attack is a sign that they have survived. More than 6,000 people there are confirmed as either dead or missing, but thousands of others are still unaccounted for. The Indian coastguard helicopter was flying low over Sentinel Island to drop aid when it came under attack. Dozens of tribesmen fired bows and arrows at the helicopter, a traditional warning that outsiders aren't welcome. A senior police officer said the crew weren't hurt and the authorities are taking it as a sign that the tribes haven't been wiped out by the earthquake and sea surges as many had feared. The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is home to several primitive tribes, some so isolated that they are still stuck in the stone age. Officials believe they survived the devastation by using age-old early warning systems. They might have run to high ground for safety after noticing changes in the behaviour of birds and marine wildlife. Scientists are examining the possibility to see whether it can be used to predict earth tremors in future. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #26 Kind of like Bush and the UN, or Captain Kirk and hot alien women. Hey, I got dibs on the green babe! |
| Posted by: Pappy 2005-01-04 9:36:36 PM |
| #25 lol tu! ima lost my cookie sumhow ship. :) |
| Posted by: muck4doo 2005-01-04 7:38:50 PM |
| #24 Once these choopers get in there and drop their loads, these people will probably become the first 21st century cargo cult. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2005-01-04 7:02:43 PM |
| #23 Gotta be the hose, gotta be. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-01-04 6:21:36 PM |
| #22 It's all very simple. Those tribals probably saw the water receding way past the typical low tide mark and connected the dots rather quickly. The resulting action? They ran like hell. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-01-04 6:16:21 PM |
| #21 Awww, give the tribesmen a break. Being primitive people, they are not familiar with the markings on modern aircraft and probably thought they were shooting at the UN. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2005-01-04 6:04:38 PM |
| #20 still at the liebary muck? |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-01-04 2:10:45 PM |
| #19 goddamit! ima always seein things to late. >:( |
| Posted by: Snaitle Ulolutle7167 2005-01-04 1:02:01 PM |
| #18 "the authorities are taking it as a sign that the tribes haven’t been wiped out by the earthquake and sea surges as many had feared" Hmmm, the authorities must have consulted with an expert to come to that conclusion. |
| Posted by: Carl in N.H. 2005-01-04 12:44:59 PM |
| #17 Any day now I'm expecting to read about tsunami victims firing AK-47s, RPG's and Stingers at US helicopters. I've already read about aid flights running into herds of cows on runways. |
| Posted by: Whutch Threth6418 2005-01-04 12:03:08 PM |
| #16 Someone forgot to read their Political Correctness book. Obviously these were Cupid arrows, provided by the Left. Hint: They don't wanna be your victims, folks, get lost. |
| Posted by: Captain America 2005-01-04 11:55:35 AM |
| #15 "We're from Mumbai, and we're here to help." |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2005-01-04 11:22:12 AM |
| #14 Tribe shoots arrows at aid flight This kinda cracks me up. Sounds like the natives have things under control. Let 'em be, and go somewhere else where other people need help. |
| Posted by: nada 2005-01-04 11:20:01 AM |
| #13 Prob'ly just a wedding... |
| Posted by: Fred 2005-01-04 10:57:57 AM |
| #12 Resistance is futile. Prepare to be assimilated! |
| Posted by: Steve 2005-01-04 10:27:20 AM |
| #11 Every member of the AoS knows the Prime Directive Okay, now I'm really worried. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-01-04 10:23:29 AM |
| #10 Every member of the AoS knows the Prime Directive. We just choose to ignore it when it get's in our way. Kind of like Bush and the UN, or Captain Kirk and hot alien women. |
| Posted by: Steve 2005-01-04 10:21:37 AM |
| #9 All in all, not a bad reaction to the visit, I'd say. |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2005-01-04 10:12:26 AM |
| #8 Every member of the AoS knows the Prime Directive. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2005-01-04 10:09:42 AM |
| #7 It worries me that a member of the AOS would know that. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-01-04 9:57:53 AM |
| #6 Bwahahahaha - first! |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-01-04 9:22:01 AM |
| #5 What are the rules about contact with isolated primitive peoples anyway? "As the right of each sentient species to live in accordance with its normal cultural evolution is considered sacred, no Star Fleet personnel may interfere with the healthy development of alien life and culture. Such interference includes the introduction of superior knowledge, strength, or technology to a world whose society is incapable of handling such advantages wisely. Star Fleet personnel may not violate this Prime Directive, even to save their lives and/or their ship unless they are acting to right an earlier violation or an accidental contamination of said culture. This directive takes precedence over any and all other considerations, and carries with it the highest moral obligation." |
| Posted by: Steve 2005-01-04 9:11:20 AM |
| #4 well the Prime Directive says... |
| Posted by: James T Kirk 2005-01-04 9:10:47 AM |
| #3 Perhaps they view it as some sort of Demon? What are the rules about contact with isolated primitive peoples anyway? |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2005-01-04 9:01:47 AM |
| #2 Dozens of tribesmen fired bows and arrows at the helicopter, a traditional The natives sure are friendly, aren't they? |
| Posted by: N Guard 2005-01-04 8:39:38 AM |
| #1 Dozens of tribesmen fired bows and arrows at the helicopter, a traditional warning that outsiders aren’t welcome. Excellent communication skillz for primative folk. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-01-04 7:05:36 AM |