A previous point you made was that these airplanes were standing off the 12 mile limit and casting their leaflets into the wind. You sticking by that one, or do you think that by following Tom's links that one could be demonstrated to be false?

<Would we have shot down a plane over international waters?>

Under those circumstances, when they had been overflying Washington, D.C., do you think it would be reasonable to let 'em scamper out over the ocean and NOT shoot 'em down? Do you really think that any politician in this country could tell the public that, yes, the Cubans had been overflying our capital dropping things but, the little rascals, they got out past the 12 mile limit and we just couldn't shoot 'em down? I don't, and I really don't think you do, either.

Would you rather they got shot down over Prince George county, and endanger civilians? Nope, and I doubt if you would either.

In reality, the practice the Cuban Air Force did on shooting down slow airplanes could probably be interpreted as a warning, as it was monitored on US radars. Not that a lot of practice is necessary, but some is. A slow, manuverable plane like a Skymaster could present a problem with a determined pilot. It would be easier over land, though.

Castro may be bad, and on this one, given the stakes and provocation, I think he was justified.

Arf