Randy, Please don't be put off by these first impressions. As someone from over the Pond (or the Old Country, or the former Colonial Oppressor, whichever you prefer - and I'm assuming you're from the US so apologies if you're not), my thoughts are that whilst most aviation topics discussed do focus purely on technical, operational or economic issues, many of these issues can still be heavily influenced by political decisions. Hence it can be hard to avoid looking deeper into the possible root cause of some issues and hence political leanings can drift into the mix, depending on whether the poster agrees or disagrees with any particular administration. As always, there are elements of "my party right or wrong" which can creep in, as they perhaps did here, but in the past we've also suffered considerable (and sometimes painful) ear bashing from the GOP aficionados. Even so, blatant political posturing is generally rare and when it does start to get out of hand the good Mr Wardell usually wades in and orders the combatants to break off and retire to their respective corners. Just as he did here after your timely prompt. (He accepts Mifcoin. Normally 5 Wardell Units per intervention). What happens next is that Jack Keady will ease the tensions by posting something interesting, curious or just bizarre, or throw in a random question. I'll occasionally post something banal or just take the piss out of something or someone, and then the serious (but very amiable) adults will re-enter the room and continue to enlighten all on operations, ATC, overflight regs, airline economics, scheduling, open skies agreements dating back to 1947, or perhaps reveal the latest theory on where Amelia Earhart might be. In between that the likes of Mike Halaby will warn us about which of the next new UAV operators have zero chance of success and then Bob Ditchey will claim that whatever it is were discussing the US Navy invented it first, all whilst Kathryn Creedy puts her journalistic spin on it.The signal to noise ratio is generally good so I hope you enjoy the ride and will contribute when you can. Just ignore the occasional static. Most find the delete button a very useful tool when some conversions drift further than an early inertial platform.I think that's how it generally works but I've only been here myself for twenty or so years so I'm probably still on double-secret probation.Simon -------- Original message --------From: randy essell via Mifnet <mifnet@lists.mifnet.com> Date: 24/07/2025 20:55 (GMT+00:00) To: mifnet@lists.mifnet.com Cc: Church Doug <dchurc...@gmail.com>, Kneisley Bob <bobkneisley...@gmail.com>, mifnet@lists.mifnet.com, randy essell <randy.ess...@hotmail.com> Subject: [Mifnet 🛰 73313] Re: Exclusive | Pete Buttigieg's DOT spent $80 billion on DEI grants, delayed air traffic control upgrades: records, industry insiders - New York Post 20250722 Just an observation.  As a pretty new member of this group, I don’t like to lead with my chin.  But it seems way too much time is spent on politics.  The commentary leads me to believe the Mifnet is the aviation arm of the DNC.  Just sayin’.   RJE
On Jul 24, 2025, at 11:07 AM, Bob Kneisley via Mifnet <mifnet@lists.mifnet.com> wrote:  Ah, now the real truth comes out. Anything from the New York Post must be ignored not because it's factually incorrect (for which there was no showing) but simply because it supposedly reflects the wrong political views. Who needs facts or even the First Amendment? We can just rely on Democrat Doug to specify what sources are acceptable for the Mifnet to use!  Bob K   Virus-free.www.avast.com On Wed, Jul 23, 2025 at 7:37 PM Doug Church via Mifnet <mifnet@lists.mifnet.com> wrote: I won’t withdraw this comment: the NY Post story is indeed HOGWASH. This is not a legitimate news source. It’s a right wing political propaganda entertainment source that loves to beat up on Democrats and is trying to get noticed and get clicks to survive, like everyone in that crowded space. This is not new. This is not controversial. Once you get past the ridiculous headline and lead paragraphs, there is some semblance of balance and fairness to the piece, complete with comment from former Secretary Buttigieg’s spokesperson. So at least there’s that. -Doug Church On Wed, Jul 23, 2025 at 5:03 PM F. Scott Wilson via Mifnet <mifnet@lists.mifnet.com> wrote: Bob K, I withdraw my comment with apologies. I don’t want to invest the time, and lack the patience, to try to rebut the claims. Others have commented on the veracity (or not) of the claims, and the source. Notwithstanding its aviation connection (I guess), I do wonder why Dr Wardell chose to start a political string on the Mifnet, and with an article from the New York Post to boot (a newspaper I used to read on trips home on Metro North for the amusement and the puzzles). Now he’s trying to use an AI search function as an arbiter, which I don’t think I am prepared to accept - like Wikipedia, it may be "directionally correct” as a colleague used to say, but who knows? I’ll try hard to keep my knee-jerk reactions to myself in future. Scott On Jul 23, 2025, at 9:52 AM, Bob Kneisley via Mifnet <mifnet@lists.mifnet.com> wrote: I'm curious Scott, how do you know "This is hogwash"? Do you have a counter-source to the New York Post article? Personally I don't know for sure if Buttigieg "shelled out tens of billions on a DEI agenda", tho it sounds at least plausible given his well-known political leanings. In any case, some evidence supporting your "hogwash" claim would be a lot more informative to the readers than a drive-by smear. Bob K Virus-free.www.avast.com On Tue, Jul 22, 2025 at 3:52 PM F. Scott Wilson via Mifnet <mifnet@lists.mifnet.com> wrote: Dr Wardell This is hogwash. Scott On Jul 22, 2025, at 3:24 PM, David Wardell via Mifnet <mifnet@lists.mifnet.com> wrote: Sharing this lengthy New York Post piece without comment, other than that it’s worth reading.  A short sample:  “WASHINGTON — Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg failed to replace outdated air traffic control systems while in office — with his agency instead shelling out tens of billions of dollars on a DEI agenda, according to federal spending records and airline industry insiders.  “In one meeting, Buttigieg — who is said to be eyeing a 2028 presidential run — told industry executives that air traffic control upgrades would just allow them to fly more planes, “and so why would that be in his interest?” sources said.”  There are contrary views shared in the article, which may be viewed here.    David Wardell (757) 561-0582 da...@wardell.org <image001.png> <image002.png>    -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revised: 20250507 You are receiving The Mifnet because you requested to join this list. 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