Right.

And AFTER their investigations, people in the US government are still saying that it could be terrorism.

True civilian radar only goes so far. Even out over the Gulf of Mexico you fly into areas that do not have civilian radar or radio.

You spend your time watching the clock and position reporting on the radio.

Is that really a big insistent clamor now today?

Right now, it's a MYSTERY

COULD be aliens.

What's the jag to criticize some ephemeral 'Americans' all the sudden?

See your point. It could happen on a random remote island, but not anything civilized with an airport on it, otherwise radar would of picked them up.

Again, apparently it's also the type of radar. They key to the transponder not the physical signature, and if the transponder goes off, they're blind to it.

Yes if they have a commercial or international airport, there is a chance they have approach radar monitoring their shorelines.

Because the jump to "terrorism" seems to have become some kind of rallying cry with the government.

Hey, we need to slip in some really sleazy legislation, let's create a terrorism whirlwind so nobody notices.

EDIT: We, as a country really, have just become so sensationalistic and emotionally reactive. It gets old.

Again, WHO is in a terrorism whirlwind right now?

And why create a whirlwind if you don't want anyone to notice your legislation?

Nevermind.

That is true from a reporting aspect, but most radars would at least report back an unidentified object. It should of be able to give them altitude, direction and speed. They wouldn't have the signature of the plane in that returned radar ping without the transponder working.

Aliens?

Exactly

LOST

Remember a few years ago a distraught Gay Air National Guard pilot broke from formation and flew his A10 out of gas into the Rockies. It was several days before they found the debris and they had a much better idea of the search area. The 777's debris field would be much larger, but the jungle and the size of the search area could keep the crash concealed a while.

* Only mentioned the Gayness because the Gay Lobby wants history text books rewritten to include sexual orientation of historical figures. Just complying with their wishes.