Friday, October 13, 2006
Politicians should learn when to keep their mouths shut!The bodies from the tragic airplane accident in New York City weren't even cold yet when Governor George Pataki had to make a politically expediant comment about closing down the general aviation VFR corridors around the Manhattan landscape. The problem with the statement is that it showed his ignorance of the subject. You know what they say, It's better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you're a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.
Now other idiots have joined the chorus demonstrating that the current batch of politicians from all sides just like to have anything to say so they can keep their faces on camera. Speaking with no knowledge of general aviation or the situation in the New York Area are Rep. Anthony Weiner, Sen. Charles Schumer, and Gov. Jon Corzine. Such actions make them no better that the current President at running their mouths before engaging their brains. The proposals spouted by these nincompoops would do nothing to alleviate any suspected problems in the airspace.
The National Transportation Safety Board needs to conduct their investigation and determine what happened to cause the crash. Only then can appropriate steps be taken to minimize any future potential dangers. But one has to realize this is the first such accident (a fixed wing aircraft accidently running into a building) in over sixty years. It hardly seems like a situation where drastic governmental action is needed to further reduce the freedom of flying American citizens. There are more traffic fatalities in one hour across the United States than occurs in avaiation in a whole year, yet we don't shut down the roadways to private passenger vehicles and relegate a whole section of the public to horse and buggies. Should we restrict the interstate highway system to commercial vehicles such as trucks?
Joining the political idiots in exacerbating the fear of planes falling from the skies or crashing into cities are the major media newscasters. With the exception of a few who are also pilots, the public was whipped into a fear frenzy by constantly comparing the situation to 9/11. Sure, to those who witnessed the recent tragedy, it was traumatic and to New Yorkers, it probably did bring that dark day to mind. But responsible journalists should have used good, objective reporting skills to move the public past such irrationality and to focus on the people impacted by the event.
My prayers go out to the Lidle and Stanger families. May God comfort you in your hour of grief.
posted by Steven 10:15 AM
