Some members of the FBI assume that Cooper was an inexperienced jumper who plummeted to a cold and icy death. Still, others think that a man with such a well thought-out plan wouldn’t just haphazardly jump out of a plane traveling nearly 320 km/h at an altitude of 10,000 feet. Adding further complication to the case is the $5,800 cash discovered in 1980 along the Columbia River by a young boy vacationing with his parents. Through the tracing of the moneys serial numbers, it was found that this portion of the cash was part of the ransom given to Cooper. The distance between the location of the found parachute and the discovered cash has definitely made the plot thicken.

What about Iraq, avian bird flu, and global warming? One would assume that these matters are surely more relevant and pressing.

In a desperate search to close the case, once and for all, the FBI is asking for help from the public. They are calling on parachute experts to come forward, and are employing scientific advances in forensics and DNA testing, which were far less sophisticated in the 70s.

Interestingly enough, while many members of the FBI belong to the school of thought that Cooper died after jumping from the plane, one thing is certain; they want to know for sure. But why? In a post-9/11 world, aren't there more important things to worry about? What about Iraq, avian bird flu, and global warming? One would assume that these matters are surely more relevant and pressing. Yet it all comes down to our desire to know everything - be it bad or good - and move on from that. Sure, you could call it machismo pride, but the desire to seek closure seems more appropriate and fitting, especially in this case.

If nothing else, D.B. Cooper has effectively proven how strong our natural tendency to wrap things up can be, even 37 years later. -D.C., NewsExtensions