Episode 5

Date: February 24, 2025

Episode 5 Summary:

Passenger jet collides with Army Black Hawk helicopter.
NBC reports that air traffic control was understaffed, albeit at a procedurally acceptable level.
An ad hoc approach to safety, allegedly.
Is the hiring freeze and DOGE's actions harming aviation safety?
Who has responsibility? Who's to blame? What's his name?
Is the assault on DEI getting in the way of aviation safety or, as Trump supposes, did DEI contribute to a non-merit based FAA?
Did Trump give evidence?
The air traffic controller shortage. Aka the hero shortage.
Does air travel remain the statistically safest form of travel? (The answer appears to be yes, by far.)
If you're 32 or over, don't bother applying to be a first-time air traffic controller, allegedly.
Is Reagan to blame?
- - - - - - - - - -
Continuation of the discussion from last week.
Should we have a constitutional amendment? What kind of country do we want to be?
If the President is the enforcer of law, who ensures that the President follows the law?
The power of the dollar.
Why would anyone want to do business with the U.S. Federal Government with this much tumult?
Does this uncertainty bode ill for the economy, in terms of a recession, or worse?
Mike explains what USAID does.
Nixon's vision for world trade, allegedly.
'It's better to institute change gradually, so people don't get hurt along the way.'
The waste of money, unlike the waste of life, cannot be reversed.