Wait a minute David, as there are a few things that still need to be said on this topic.
*Randy - *as a long-time Mifnet member, I can say without hesitation that your recognition of the left-wing bias of this group is absolutely on target. Unfortunately this condition has IMO too often led to groupthink and suppression of non-conforming views. More seriously, it has also inhibited participation and discussion on the Mifnet and may well contribute to its demise, tho I personally hope that's not the case. But it is what it is, and I don't expect it to change because it appears to reflect the imbedded political views of most of the individual members. *David*, nothing in your post(s) caused the Mifnet's political bias, which has instead been alive and flourishing for years, so you can stop apologizing. Everyone appreciates your diligent efforts to steer the ship in a constructive direction, even when difficult or impossible. And *Doug*, I appreciate your latest post, and particularly its constructive tone. I will just say that nothing I said in this thread is related to Southwest Airlines, instead it reflects my personal reaction to several members' dismissive and even inflammatory reactions to the use of the conservative (and therefore reviled) *New York Post* as a source of criticism of Sec. Buttigieg. I found it rather astonishing that several posters on a professional forum would think the article should be rejected simply because it came from the *Post* (wink, wink) as opposed to providing evidence of any factual inaccuracies. Bob K On Thu, Jul 24, 2025 at 4:04 PM David Wardell via Mifnet < [email protected]> wrote: > Hi Randy, > > > > It’s certainly not meant to be that way, and I apologize for the > distraction. As with any discussion list, we occasionally become focused on > topics that have limited appeal. I should know better by now. > > > > All, > > > > May I kindly suggest that this topic has run through whatever mileage it > had and that we should move on? > > > > Many thanks to all, > > > > DW > > > > > > *David Wardell* > > (757) 561-0582 > > [email protected] > > <https://wardell.us/url/b5s86> > > <https://wardell.us/url/s9qvz> > > > > > > > > > > > > *From:* randy essell via Mifnet <[email protected]> > *Sent:* Thursday, July 24, 2025 3:53 PM > *To:* [email protected] > *Cc:* Church Doug <[email protected]>; Kneisley Bob < > [email protected]>; [email protected]; randy essell < > [email protected]> > *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 < > [email protected]> 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 > > > > > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail> > > Virus-free.www.avast.com > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail> > > > > On Wed, Jul 23, 2025 at 7:37 PM Doug Church via Mifnet < > [email protected]> 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 < > [email protected]> 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 < > [email protected]> 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 > > > > > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail> > > Virus-free.www.avast.com > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail> > > > > On Tue, Jul 22, 2025 at 3:52 PM F. Scott Wilson via Mifnet < > [email protected]> wrote: > > Dr Wardell > > > > This is hogwash. > > > > Scott > > > > > > > > On Jul 22, 2025, at 3:24 PM, David Wardell via Mifnet < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > > Sharing this lengthy New York Post piece <https://wardell.us/url/k5dgz> > 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* > <https://wardell.us/url/k5dgz>. > > > > > > > > *David Wardell* > > (757) 561-0582 > > [email protected] > > <image001.png> <https://wardell.us/url/b5s86> > > <image002.png> <https://wardell.us/url/s9qvz> > > > > > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Revised: 20250507 > > You are receiving The Mifnet because you requested to join this list. > > The Mifnet is largely a labor of love, however the infrastructure isn't > exactly cost-free. 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