Posted for marknlisa@hometel.com:

 Jeff, Wes and Fellow Listers,
 
 It was never my intention to cast aspersions on the Marine Corp.  Jeff and
 Wes, if either of you felt that I was attacking that greatest of our
 military institutions please accept my sincere apology.  I recently read
 "Flags Of Our Fathers" written by James Bradley, son of John Bradley, who
 was one of the marines that raised the flag on Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima.
 The Marines that took Iwo Jima from the Japanese army earned more medals
 for valor during that battle than any other group of soldiers, sailors or
 airmen during the war.  Marines today continue to demonstrate that spirit
 in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.  I have nothing but the deepest
 respect and admiration for the organization that inspires and fosters that
 kind of bravery, determination, brotherhood and self-sacrifice.
 
 My use of the Cavalese disaster as an example of rogue pilot behavior was
 based solely on Jeff Pardo's article.  My recollections of what I read in
 the press during that time supported Mr Pardo's characterization of the
 crew.  Even after reading Jeff Edward's response (below) I'm still
 skeptical of the crew's behavior.  Granted, my skepticism is based purely
 on circumstantial rather than physical evidence:
 
 1. The pilot claimed he thought the minimum altitude was 1000' -- the
 cable he struck was below 400'
 
 2. One of the crew was videotaping -- why wasn't he heads-up looking for
 obstacles?
 
 3. The video that could have proved this crew's innocence (or guilt)
 "disappeared."
 
 4. This was the pilot's last flight before rotation back to the states --
 a good reason to have a little fun.
 
 That being said, I do have a more balanced view of this incident -- as has
 been pointed out, my reasoning on why the Judge and panel aquitted this
 crew is faulty to say the least.  Based on Jeff's and Wes's postings, I
 regret that I used Mr Pardo's choice of this incident as an example of
 rogue behavior on this list.  As Wes said, only those guys in the cockpit
 know for sure what really happened -- everything else is speculation.
 This is a perfect example of what I meant about someone else's perspective
 allowing one to look at old information in a new way!
 
 Putting this particular crew's behavior aside, there are enough examples
 of rogue behavior in the NTSB files that I think (I hope) we can all agree
 that we each carry the seeds of rogue behavior within ourselves.  If one
 were to ask a group of pilots to list those skills they believe necessary
 for safe and effective operation of aircaft, I doubt you'd find
 "introspection" on the list.  In my opinion, this is the one skill that
 will prove most helpful to those who wish to avoid becoming a statistic.
 We each should strive to constantly review our choices and motivations for
 the tell-tale markers Mr Pardo outlined in his article.
 
Fly safe and always have a reason,
 
 
 Mark