In a recent plane crash in Kentucky 49 people died, The plane attempted to take off on the wrong runway. One that was half the length of the runway that was suppose to used. It turns out that against FAA rules, their was only one air traffic controller on duty at the time. An expert on CNN this morning said that most major airports are operating with understaffed control towers, and that about one quarter of the controllers are eligible to retire next year. He also stated that problems with lack of control in airport towers can be traced all the way back to President Regan who fired striking controllers and weakened incentive for anyone to enter the career path. I find it quite striking that in a time those in charge claim to be so focused on fighting terrorism and making flying safe for the public, that they can let the most basic safety system...control towers, go understaffed. Again we have an issue of not covering the basics. Of course actually having enough air traffic controllers isn't as macho as “taking the fight to the enemy”.

Aqaint yourself with them here.

From my freind Earlbo as posted at The Peace Train.

Next week marks the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina hitting, but President Bush would prefer Americans not place too much importance on the date.

Bush says a one-year anniversary "is just that," because rebuilding efforts will take "a long time." The president says the date should be marked by remembering that people suffered, and recommitting to helping them.

Like the war in Iraq, it will no doubt take at least until we get a real leader in office.

While New Orleans languishes nearly a year after Katrina, Nasrallah has already begun to assist Lebanese residents in reconstruction:

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's grand promises to rebuild Lebanon began to materialize at Shahed High School yesterday, in the form of neat packs of $12,000 in US dollars handed without ceremony to people displaced from their homes.

"I like Hezbollah more and more," said Riyadh Nasser, 53, as he waited in a south Beirut suburb for the money from the Shi'ite Islamist movement. The money is meant to pay for a year's rent and new furniture, until his original home can be rebuilt.

Now, let's be honest here. I'm not sure what Nasrallah's actual level of concern for individuals is and I don't much care. The reality of what's going on is summed up in Riyadh Nasser's statement: "I like Hezbollah more and more."

While Bush controls the wealthiest and most powerful country on Earth he still can't understand what makes people tick -- his inability to understand why protesters in Iraq would be less than happy with the U.S. right now.

In Iraq look at security, electricity, unemployment, lack of housing, schools, clean water etc, and you understand why the Bush/Cheney doctrine is a failure. You understand why Hamas controls Palestine. People like those who help them. Period.

the album leaf

Do you have five minutes? If you do you should watch this. Not when people are all around, but when things are quiet. You are an emotional creature. I guarantee it.

John Karr says he killed JonBenet Ramsey. I always thought the parents had something to do with her death. My Take is that this Karr fellow did not kill her, but feels guilty about being a child molester and wants to go to jail, and if he does he might as well get the press coverage that will come with being the killer of JonBenet Ramsey. I mean come on, this guy moved to Thailand, the world capitol of child sex abuse. he also lived in Honduras, a country where poverty is so rampant that child sex slavery is common. So there you have my take.

Connecticut senator Joe Leiberman lost to Ned Lamont in the primary election on Tuesday. great news for progressives like myself. However, I just watched a morning after video with Leiberman on CNN, and as expected Joe is going to run as an independent. He says America needs him... that the Democratic party needs him. Bullshit! We don't need a Bush apologists in office. We don't need a republican lite. Time after time Joe has stymied progressive legislation and stood shoulder to shoulder with Republicans. No more! I will be writing my Democratic leadership to see that he is stripped of any leadership roles he has. This is important because he no longer represents the Democratic majority. Joe's ego is spinning out of control and like the beheaded king seconds after his head leaves his body, his brain can't process the fact that it's over. It's over Joe!

What great news! Awesome! What more can I say? But the selfish pig decides to run as an independant. Bad Joe! Bad! Way to go Ned! Great job hacking Joes website.

God I hate Verizon...Long Story. Needless to say they didn't like us switching our phone service to Vonage.... The bastards!