Michael Planey
@airplaney.bsky.social
Transportation consultant and engineer.
He said “Kid, it's not me, it's this town”
So I rail against that feeling when it comes
He said “Kid, it's not me, it's this town”
So I rail against that feeling when it comes
Pinned
Michael Planey
@airplaney.bsky.social
· Jan 31
Some thoughts on Wednesday-night’s tragic air accident near Washington, DC:
The mid-air collision of American Airlines flight 5342 and a US Army VH-60 helicopter is highly personal for me. It literally hits close to home as I live approximately three miles away from National Airport.
The mid-air collision of American Airlines flight 5342 and a US Army VH-60 helicopter is highly personal for me. It literally hits close to home as I live approximately three miles away from National Airport.
I’m sure his voters will believe this, and that is dangerous in itself, but what’s worse is that Trump believes that he can say and do this and that is how the government works.
November 29, 2025 at 10:15 PM
I’m sure his voters will believe this, and that is dangerous in itself, but what’s worse is that Trump believes that he can say and do this and that is how the government works.
SNAP is one of the largest *corporate* welfare programs in American history
The Boston Globe identified the companies in Massachusetts that employ the most SNAP recipients. A key stat: "In Massachusetts, 74% of working-age recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are employed, half of them full-time."
Full article: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/28/m...
Full article: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/28/m...
November 29, 2025 at 8:18 PM
SNAP is one of the largest *corporate* welfare programs in American history
Reposted by Michael Planey
"Western civilization," the font, the 11 stars - 11 states in the confederacy, for the record.
Why is this never news? Why are we letting our government agencies do this sort of thing while the news agencies report on hallucinated trade deals and act like everything is normal
Why is this never news? Why are we letting our government agencies do this sort of thing while the news agencies report on hallucinated trade deals and act like everything is normal
November 29, 2025 at 5:20 PM
"Western civilization," the font, the 11 stars - 11 states in the confederacy, for the record.
Why is this never news? Why are we letting our government agencies do this sort of thing while the news agencies report on hallucinated trade deals and act like everything is normal
Why is this never news? Why are we letting our government agencies do this sort of thing while the news agencies report on hallucinated trade deals and act like everything is normal
Reposted by Michael Planey
The FDA’s Vinay Prasad is claiming that COVID19 vaccines killed 10 children.
Usually, to make a claim this extraordinary, one would submit a paper to a leading scientific journal for peer review.
Maybe he has, I don’t know, whatever he is doing is not how one conducts rigorous science.
Usually, to make a claim this extraordinary, one would submit a paper to a leading scientific journal for peer review.
Maybe he has, I don’t know, whatever he is doing is not how one conducts rigorous science.
November 29, 2025 at 5:12 PM
The FDA’s Vinay Prasad is claiming that COVID19 vaccines killed 10 children.
Usually, to make a claim this extraordinary, one would submit a paper to a leading scientific journal for peer review.
Maybe he has, I don’t know, whatever he is doing is not how one conducts rigorous science.
Usually, to make a claim this extraordinary, one would submit a paper to a leading scientific journal for peer review.
Maybe he has, I don’t know, whatever he is doing is not how one conducts rigorous science.
Reposted by Michael Planey
CNN — @aftynbehn.bsky.social : “This race is competitive because the Washington Republican agenda has not delivered. They have not addressed costs despite the commitment from Trump… they’re looking to vote for someone who’s going to usher in an era of change.” www.cnn.com/2025/11/29/p...
November 29, 2025 at 3:09 PM
CNN — @aftynbehn.bsky.social : “This race is competitive because the Washington Republican agenda has not delivered. They have not addressed costs despite the commitment from Trump… they’re looking to vote for someone who’s going to usher in an era of change.” www.cnn.com/2025/11/29/p...
Reposted by Michael Planey
Sarah Beckstrom's ex-boyfriend told NBC News she dreamed of becoming an FBI special agent.
She didn't want to deploy to D.C.
"She hated it. She cried about it."
But she started visiting monuments and museums and started enjoying it.
May she rest in peace.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
She didn't want to deploy to D.C.
"She hated it. She cried about it."
But she started visiting monuments and museums and started enjoying it.
May she rest in peace.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
National Guard member killed in D.C. shooting remembered for 'heart of gold'
The slain soldier’s former boyfriend recalled her empathy and generosity. “She doesn’t even have to know you and she’ll do anything for you,” he said.
www.nbcnews.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Sarah Beckstrom's ex-boyfriend told NBC News she dreamed of becoming an FBI special agent.
She didn't want to deploy to D.C.
"She hated it. She cried about it."
But she started visiting monuments and museums and started enjoying it.
May she rest in peace.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
She didn't want to deploy to D.C.
"She hated it. She cried about it."
But she started visiting monuments and museums and started enjoying it.
May she rest in peace.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Reposted by Michael Planey
"The DOD Manual is clear because the law here is clear: 'Persons who have been incapacitated by . . . shipwreck are in a helpless state, and it would be dishonorable and inhumane to make them the object of attack.'"
A Dishonorable Strike
Indulging all assumptions in favor of the administration’s boat strikes, killing helpless men is murder
www.execfunctions.org
November 29, 2025 at 4:43 AM
"The DOD Manual is clear because the law here is clear: 'Persons who have been incapacitated by . . . shipwreck are in a helpless state, and it would be dishonorable and inhumane to make them the object of attack.'"
Reposted by Michael Planey
To put a finer point on this whole thing: "Two people with direct knowledge of the operation" — presumably uniformed military leaders — are accusing the U.S. Secretary of Defense of personally ordering specific war crimes. That's a historic accusation.
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:48 PM
To put a finer point on this whole thing: "Two people with direct knowledge of the operation" — presumably uniformed military leaders — are accusing the U.S. Secretary of Defense of personally ordering specific war crimes. That's a historic accusation.
Reposted by Michael Planey
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Planey
"I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable Asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong."
~George Washington to Francis Adrian van der Kemp, May 28, 1788.
Image: Gilbert Stuart portrait of Washington, 1804. Public domain.
~George Washington to Francis Adrian van der Kemp, May 28, 1788.
Image: Gilbert Stuart portrait of Washington, 1804. Public domain.
November 28, 2025 at 5:38 PM
"I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable Asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong."
~George Washington to Francis Adrian van der Kemp, May 28, 1788.
Image: Gilbert Stuart portrait of Washington, 1804. Public domain.
~George Washington to Francis Adrian van der Kemp, May 28, 1788.
Image: Gilbert Stuart portrait of Washington, 1804. Public domain.
Reposted by Michael Planey
In 1945, the US Army put out a training manual designed to equip rank and file soldiers with the tools to spot and combat incipient fascism were it to emerge in post-war America. Those lessons are just as American as Miller's illiberal bigotry, and worth remembering today. bsky.app/profile/seth...
The first fascistic tactic to look out for is a hate campaign against a particular religious, racial, or ethnic group. Like, for example, let's say a candidate emerges who calls all people of one nationality "rapists" and "criminals," while promising to ban immigrants from only one religious group.
November 28, 2025 at 2:41 PM
In 1945, the US Army put out a training manual designed to equip rank and file soldiers with the tools to spot and combat incipient fascism were it to emerge in post-war America. Those lessons are just as American as Miller's illiberal bigotry, and worth remembering today. bsky.app/profile/seth...
“Hate, steal, murder and destroy everything that America stands for” ???
So basically Trump is calling out Miller, Musk, Hegseth and the entire Republican Party…
We can only hope that he is right and that they will not be here for long.
So basically Trump is calling out Miller, Musk, Hegseth and the entire Republican Party…
We can only hope that he is right and that they will not be here for long.
November 28, 2025 at 5:16 AM
“Hate, steal, murder and destroy everything that America stands for” ???
So basically Trump is calling out Miller, Musk, Hegseth and the entire Republican Party…
We can only hope that he is right and that they will not be here for long.
So basically Trump is calling out Miller, Musk, Hegseth and the entire Republican Party…
We can only hope that he is right and that they will not be here for long.
Reposted by Michael Planey
Today, after months of requests, I toured the Broadview ICE Processing Facility. I want to share what I saw.
The facility has no food vendor, no medical care, and detainees have to use toilets in the middle of shared cells. These are in no way suitable conditions to be holding anyone — period.
The facility has no food vendor, no medical care, and detainees have to use toilets in the middle of shared cells. These are in no way suitable conditions to be holding anyone — period.
November 25, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Today, after months of requests, I toured the Broadview ICE Processing Facility. I want to share what I saw.
The facility has no food vendor, no medical care, and detainees have to use toilets in the middle of shared cells. These are in no way suitable conditions to be holding anyone — period.
The facility has no food vendor, no medical care, and detainees have to use toilets in the middle of shared cells. These are in no way suitable conditions to be holding anyone — period.
Reposted by Michael Planey
My memoir-essay on growing up with Norman Rockwell Thanksgivings is up in Vogue this morning. Here’s a small extract: www.vogue.com/article/norm...
November 27, 2025 at 12:29 PM
My memoir-essay on growing up with Norman Rockwell Thanksgivings is up in Vogue this morning. Here’s a small extract: www.vogue.com/article/norm...
Reposted by Michael Planey
It didn’t even take 6 hours.
November 27, 2025 at 3:13 AM
It didn’t even take 6 hours.
Reposted by Michael Planey
It's not just that the United States has stopped trying to promote liberal democratic ideas internationally. It's that the United States is actively trying to promote the contrary. It's trying to turn more countries into Hungary.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
U.S. to Press Europe and Other Allies on ‘Mass Migration,’ Document Says
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:06 AM
It's not just that the United States has stopped trying to promote liberal democratic ideas internationally. It's that the United States is actively trying to promote the contrary. It's trying to turn more countries into Hungary.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Reposted by Michael Planey
BREAKING: A federal court clears the way for North Carolina’s new congressional map for 2026 — a Trump-ordered gerrymander that fractures Black communities for GOP gain.
Federal Court Greenlights North Carolina’s Trump-Ordered Gerrymander
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:36 PM
BREAKING: A federal court clears the way for North Carolina’s new congressional map for 2026 — a Trump-ordered gerrymander that fractures Black communities for GOP gain.
Reposted by Michael Planey
big late breaking news: the market monitor for the largest energy grid in the u.s., covering much of the midwest and mid-atlantic, has called to block new data centers connections to the grid, saying current course of growth assures regular blackouts
No more PJM data centers unless they can be reliably served: market monitor
The PJM Interconnection’s market monitor urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to rule that large data centers can only come online if the grid operator can still meet reliability metrics.
www.utilitydive.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:17 AM
big late breaking news: the market monitor for the largest energy grid in the u.s., covering much of the midwest and mid-atlantic, has called to block new data centers connections to the grid, saying current course of growth assures regular blackouts
Reposted by Michael Planey
White House presses Congress for drone powers ahead of World Cup, Olympics
White House presses Congress for drone powers ahead of World Cup, Olympics
The administration is facing resistance from Sen. Ted Cruz, who chairs a committee overseeing aviation.
dlvr.it
November 27, 2025 at 1:48 AM
White House presses Congress for drone powers ahead of World Cup, Olympics
Reposted by Michael Planey
Garry Kasparov at Halifax Security Forum:
"For 4 years, Ukraine has been fighting for the whole of Europe. NATO was created to fight one war — not to go to Afghanistan, not to go to Syria — one war: to save free Europe from Russian aggression.
"For 4 years, Ukraine has been fighting for the whole of Europe. NATO was created to fight one war — not to go to Afghanistan, not to go to Syria — one war: to save free Europe from Russian aggression.
November 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Garry Kasparov at Halifax Security Forum:
"For 4 years, Ukraine has been fighting for the whole of Europe. NATO was created to fight one war — not to go to Afghanistan, not to go to Syria — one war: to save free Europe from Russian aggression.
"For 4 years, Ukraine has been fighting for the whole of Europe. NATO was created to fight one war — not to go to Afghanistan, not to go to Syria — one war: to save free Europe from Russian aggression.
Reposted by Michael Planey
The Trump administration filed an emergency motion today asking a federal appeals court to halt a judge's ruling from last week that deemed the president's deployment of the National Guard to D.C. unlawful.
Trump urges court to keep National Guard in DC after shooting
The filing came after two National Guard members were shot and critically injured minutes from the White House
www.axios.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:11 AM
The Trump administration filed an emergency motion today asking a federal appeals court to halt a judge's ruling from last week that deemed the president's deployment of the National Guard to D.C. unlawful.
Reposted by Michael Planey
I need everybody to read this and understand what’s going on. These are spouses of US citizens in the country legally. They have entry clearance and green cards, they’ve passed background checks and have no criminal records. ICE is taking them anyway.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:40 PM
I need everybody to read this and understand what’s going on. These are spouses of US citizens in the country legally. They have entry clearance and green cards, they’ve passed background checks and have no criminal records. ICE is taking them anyway.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Reposted by Michael Planey
Terrible news.
Broadcast giant Sinclair makes bid to buy out EW Scripps for $7 per share
apnews.com/article/sinc...
Broadcast giant Sinclair makes bid to buy out EW Scripps for $7 per share
apnews.com/article/sinc...
Broadcast giant Sinclair makes bid to buy out EW Scripps for $7 per share
Sinclair has submitted a bid to buy out E.W. Scripps for $7 per share, in a deal that could bring further consolidation across America’s local TV news landscape.
apnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Terrible news.
Broadcast giant Sinclair makes bid to buy out EW Scripps for $7 per share
apnews.com/article/sinc...
Broadcast giant Sinclair makes bid to buy out EW Scripps for $7 per share
apnews.com/article/sinc...
Reposted by Michael Planey
The third person shot was the alleged gunman.
November 26, 2025 at 9:03 PM
The third person shot was the alleged gunman.
Reposted by Michael Planey
The other person shot was the shooter
November 26, 2025 at 8:59 PM
The other person shot was the shooter