Oh to have enough Republicans stand up. Maybe the Dems need to be more solicitous and praising of line crossers. Maybe not enough praise of Liz Cheney. I imagine the SNL sketch mashing up the J6 committee and the film, Dirty Dancing:
Reskin? Kinziger more handsome though but he is the same side of tracks as Liz so it doesn’t work as well]
“Sir, nobody puts Cheney in the basement”
[the couple takes the stage]:
“…going to do my kind of dancing with a great partner…not only a terrific dancer but somebody who has taught me that there are people willing to stand up for other people, no matter what it costs them. Somebody who’s taught me about the kind of person I want to be.”
"The percentage of eighth graders who have “below basic” reading skills according to NAEP was the largest it has been in the exam’s three-decade history—33 percent. The percentage of fourth graders at “below basic” was the largest in 20 years, at 40 percent."
"There was progress in math, but not enough to offset the losses of the pandemic."
In their DEI-influenced wisdom, the majority-minority state board of education in my overwhelmingly white state of Oregon suspended the requirement that a student pass certain proficiency tests in order to graduate from high school. The reason? Why, because proficiency testing "harms" black students. The result is that black grads' proficiency will be in doubt for lack of proof.
Before we get too carried away on Donald's distraction/dumping on "DEI hires" in air traffic control, keep in mind this controller was doing double duty due to chronic staffing shortages at Reagan. This person was managing both planes and choppers, which is not the recommended or customary practice for the air corridor. My question is what does Donald's administration actually plan to do about the real problems afflicting our air travel infrastructure, which is a nationwide concern. Blaming Joe Biden and DEI will not fly. Pun intended.
Just hours prior to the Washington D. C. crash, Thomas Schaller, a Political Science Professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, took to X to issue a warning about the hiring freeze. He stated: "An FAA employee I know confirms agency already lacks sufficient air traffic controllers. The so-called 'buyouts' and other attacks on federal employees won't help. Remember that fact when the flight delays (crashes? ) commence and Trumpers start falsely blaming DEI or Biden."
Running a country of 320M might just be more difficult than some think.
Thanks for the link. This was a good article summarizing the sad state of how we get information today, although perhaps I think it’s good simply because it echoes many things that I have been saying for some time (such as the idea that Fox “knowingly lied to its audience”). However, there is one point that I believe he didn’t get completely right. He writes: “This conception of democracy requires two aspects of democratic governance to function in tandem if the system is to survive: government accountability and the availability of accurate information.” I believe that there is a third element here, and that is the requirement that the electorate do at least some work and get their information from multiple sources and (most important of all) THINK about what they have just read (or heard). How much critical thinking does it take to realize that there is no evidence to back up the Q-Anon conspiracy, for example? But instead of approaching the whole idea of Q-Anon with the appropriate amount of skepticism because of the outlandish nature of its claims (the operative mantra should be “extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof”), too many act as if it’s up to us sane people to prove to them that it’s not true (which, of course, as a matter of logic can’t be done). They have it backwards. And this logic applies to lots of other issues such as The Big Lie or the government being behind January 6.
Just because you can bathe all day, every day in misinformation doesn’t mean that you should.
I find myself hoping (I know, I know) that someone will find some integrity somewhere and vote against confirmation of at least one, even just one would at least be something, of these nominees. They are all unfit to be sure, but could I please get one "No"? Come on! Please?! (A "Hell, no!" would be better than Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween combined.)
Anyone interested in looking at the actual data regarding the mid-air in DC might wish to check out the blancolirio channel on YouTube. Preliminary indications are that the DOD helicopter involved was based across the river and was on a training flight. The commercial aircraft was on a stable approach and the helicopter appears to have mistakenly identified another aircraft as the commercial flight it was attempting to avoid. Helicopter and commercial aircraft were both in communication with ATC but not on the same frequency so they could hear ATC but not each other. Classic case of misidentified air traffic and miscommunication, apparently.
I expect the NTSB will issue a preliminary report in the next few days.
Following any air disaster / failure the NTSB will begin open an investigation and docket. These investigation are quite thorough, serious, and somber. The investigation will include a factual report capturing every bit of relevant information surrounding the accident and every bit of contributing to the root cause of the accident. As part of the investigation closure, there will also be recommendations for corrective for the FAA, industry, etc going forward. The FAA will have to formally respond to these NTSB recommendations. This formalized system, impartial and fact-based, has led the the dramatic increase in aircraft safety over the decades. Given that this process will carry itself out following this event, and given the purging of civil servants, and given the racial, gender, and political interests of the ghouls in charge, is there a reason that we should believe these fact finding investigations will continue to be cold and impartial? I have grave concerns that this government will start introducing conclusions and opinion into factual reports, falsify facts, or be looking to support a narrative that pleases these ghouls that are now in charge.
Ok, this is completely petty and pointless, but here is the email that I just sent to my Senator, Joni Ernst:
“Joni, You supported this incompetent dirtbag to head our nation’s military. Are you prepared to take responsibility for everything that now unfolds in his wake?
We know Hegseth has spent his first few days as DoD secretary in the very important task of erasing a man of actual military courage, General Milley. Now, just a few days later, there’s a horrible collision involving a military helicopter on a training mission, killing 67 people in two aircraft.
Joni, maybe there was no way this terrible crash could have been averted - accidents happen, after all. But guess what? Accidents happen a lot more often when the head of an organization lacks leadership training, is completely out of his depth, and prefers to waste time on empty political gestures. But, good job! Your vote for Hegseth kept the MAGA nuts off your case for a few days. Hope it was worth it.”
I know these repub’s aren’t capable of shame, but I have to vent somehow.
The most unqualified man to be president is already blaming Obama and Biden for the crash. Diminishing standards. Pity nobody gives a damn about Congress's diminishing standards.
In 2015, the GOP was a political party. Now it's a personality cult. Trump systematically took control of the GOP in just a few years. A few years from now -- barring some miracle -- he will have systematically taken control of the US government.
Was it a factor that we were well below 1/4 moon last night- moon only 1% visible would require extra diligence with night vision equipment.
Oh to have enough Republicans stand up. Maybe the Dems need to be more solicitous and praising of line crossers. Maybe not enough praise of Liz Cheney. I imagine the SNL sketch mashing up the J6 committee and the film, Dirty Dancing:
Reskin? Kinziger more handsome though but he is the same side of tracks as Liz so it doesn’t work as well]
“Sir, nobody puts Cheney in the basement”
[the couple takes the stage]:
“…going to do my kind of dancing with a great partner…not only a terrific dancer but somebody who has taught me that there are people willing to stand up for other people, no matter what it costs them. Somebody who’s taught me about the kind of person I want to be.”
[cue music. Vote no on Tulsi and RFK.]
"The percentage of eighth graders who have “below basic” reading skills according to NAEP was the largest it has been in the exam’s three-decade history—33 percent. The percentage of fourth graders at “below basic” was the largest in 20 years, at 40 percent."
"There was progress in math, but not enough to offset the losses of the pandemic."
In their DEI-influenced wisdom, the majority-minority state board of education in my overwhelmingly white state of Oregon suspended the requirement that a student pass certain proficiency tests in order to graduate from high school. The reason? Why, because proficiency testing "harms" black students. The result is that black grads' proficiency will be in doubt for lack of proof.
“Obviously, it is not standard to have aircraft collide. I want to be clear on that.”
Genius , Walter. Was the front missing too?
https://youtu.be/3m5qxZm_JqM?si=bJEPsr4sF4vjibFJ
Before we get too carried away on Donald's distraction/dumping on "DEI hires" in air traffic control, keep in mind this controller was doing double duty due to chronic staffing shortages at Reagan. This person was managing both planes and choppers, which is not the recommended or customary practice for the air corridor. My question is what does Donald's administration actually plan to do about the real problems afflicting our air travel infrastructure, which is a nationwide concern. Blaming Joe Biden and DEI will not fly. Pun intended.
Why ask silly questions. Trump’s administration is going to do nothing. We all know that. PS. I liked your pun.
The crash wasn't his fault, but:
Just hours prior to the Washington D. C. crash, Thomas Schaller, a Political Science Professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, took to X to issue a warning about the hiring freeze. He stated: "An FAA employee I know confirms agency already lacks sufficient air traffic controllers. The so-called 'buyouts' and other attacks on federal employees won't help. Remember that fact when the flight delays (crashes? ) commence and Trumpers start falsely blaming DEI or Biden."
Running a country of 320M might just be more difficult than some think.
Who's responsible?...surprise, turns out its Biden, Pelosi and the Democrats, and a whole bunch of DEI
And my favorite line in all of the OMB nonsense was Leavitt's "Why? To end all confusion created by the court's injunction."
AS IF the confusion was caused by the court's intervention into a chaotic, crazy and totally illegal action by the President!
Read of the day:
https://substack.com/home/post/p-155998561
Thanks for the link. This was a good article summarizing the sad state of how we get information today, although perhaps I think it’s good simply because it echoes many things that I have been saying for some time (such as the idea that Fox “knowingly lied to its audience”). However, there is one point that I believe he didn’t get completely right. He writes: “This conception of democracy requires two aspects of democratic governance to function in tandem if the system is to survive: government accountability and the availability of accurate information.” I believe that there is a third element here, and that is the requirement that the electorate do at least some work and get their information from multiple sources and (most important of all) THINK about what they have just read (or heard). How much critical thinking does it take to realize that there is no evidence to back up the Q-Anon conspiracy, for example? But instead of approaching the whole idea of Q-Anon with the appropriate amount of skepticism because of the outlandish nature of its claims (the operative mantra should be “extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof”), too many act as if it’s up to us sane people to prove to them that it’s not true (which, of course, as a matter of logic can’t be done). They have it backwards. And this logic applies to lots of other issues such as The Big Lie or the government being behind January 6.
Just because you can bathe all day, every day in misinformation doesn’t mean that you should.
I find myself hoping (I know, I know) that someone will find some integrity somewhere and vote against confirmation of at least one, even just one would at least be something, of these nominees. They are all unfit to be sure, but could I please get one "No"? Come on! Please?! (A "Hell, no!" would be better than Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween combined.)
Anyone interested in looking at the actual data regarding the mid-air in DC might wish to check out the blancolirio channel on YouTube. Preliminary indications are that the DOD helicopter involved was based across the river and was on a training flight. The commercial aircraft was on a stable approach and the helicopter appears to have mistakenly identified another aircraft as the commercial flight it was attempting to avoid. Helicopter and commercial aircraft were both in communication with ATC but not on the same frequency so they could hear ATC but not each other. Classic case of misidentified air traffic and miscommunication, apparently.
I expect the NTSB will issue a preliminary report in the next few days.
Following any air disaster / failure the NTSB will begin open an investigation and docket. These investigation are quite thorough, serious, and somber. The investigation will include a factual report capturing every bit of relevant information surrounding the accident and every bit of contributing to the root cause of the accident. As part of the investigation closure, there will also be recommendations for corrective for the FAA, industry, etc going forward. The FAA will have to formally respond to these NTSB recommendations. This formalized system, impartial and fact-based, has led the the dramatic increase in aircraft safety over the decades. Given that this process will carry itself out following this event, and given the purging of civil servants, and given the racial, gender, and political interests of the ghouls in charge, is there a reason that we should believe these fact finding investigations will continue to be cold and impartial? I have grave concerns that this government will start introducing conclusions and opinion into factual reports, falsify facts, or be looking to support a narrative that pleases these ghouls that are now in charge.
You'd think that our newly confirmed SECDEF would have something to say last night, what with this being a military aircraft.
He must have been in a very, very deep sleep (😉). Or maybe hiding under the bed, from the monster of a job he now has to actually do.
Nah. He’s having a drink. Or two. Or three.
Ok, this is completely petty and pointless, but here is the email that I just sent to my Senator, Joni Ernst:
“Joni, You supported this incompetent dirtbag to head our nation’s military. Are you prepared to take responsibility for everything that now unfolds in his wake?
We know Hegseth has spent his first few days as DoD secretary in the very important task of erasing a man of actual military courage, General Milley. Now, just a few days later, there’s a horrible collision involving a military helicopter on a training mission, killing 67 people in two aircraft.
Joni, maybe there was no way this terrible crash could have been averted - accidents happen, after all. But guess what? Accidents happen a lot more often when the head of an organization lacks leadership training, is completely out of his depth, and prefers to waste time on empty political gestures. But, good job! Your vote for Hegseth kept the MAGA nuts off your case for a few days. Hope it was worth it.”
I know these repub’s aren’t capable of shame, but I have to vent somehow.
The most unqualified man to be president is already blaming Obama and Biden for the crash. Diminishing standards. Pity nobody gives a damn about Congress's diminishing standards.
In 2015, the GOP was a political party. Now it's a personality cult. Trump systematically took control of the GOP in just a few years. A few years from now -- barring some miracle -- he will have systematically taken control of the US government.