POLITICO’s Post

Is Trump not a pot calling the kettle black ? In a way, yes—Trump has arguably benefited from a form of non-meritocratic advantage, though not in the way DEI is traditionally framed. While DEI policies aim to address historical inequalities by promoting diversity and inclusion, Trump has benefited from privilege-based advantages, particularly in areas like wealth, social connections, and legacy status. How Trump Has Benefited from Advantageous Policies & Systems: 1. Legacy Admissions & Family Wealth – Trump was admitted to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, partly due to family connections. His father, Fred Trump, was a wealthy and well-connected real estate developer, which likely influenced his access to elite education and business opportunities. Many argue that legacy admissions function as a type of “affirmative action for the wealthy.” 2. Financial Bailouts & Tax Benefits – Trump’s businesses have received government subsidies, tax loopholes, and bankruptcy protections, which are forms of systemic advantages not available to most Americans. For example: • His companies have declared bankruptcy multiple times, using laws designed to protect failing businesses. • His real estate empire benefited from tax incentives and legal loopholes that allowed him to avoid paying substantial federal income taxes for years. 3. Political and Media Access – Trump leveraged his inherited wealth and celebrity status (from “The Apprentice”) to gain political traction in ways that most first-time candidates could never afford. Media outlets granted him free coverage worth billions during his 2016 campaign, amplifying his platform without the need for traditional political fundraising. 4. Selective Use of Identity Politics – While Trump criticizes DEI, he has personally benefited from identity-based appeals, particularly by positioning himself as a champion for certain demographic groups (e.g., working-class white voters, conservative Christians). His appointment of diverse figures to his administration—such as Ben Carson and Elaine Chao—also shows that he strategically employs diversity when it suits his goals. The Irony: Opposing DEI While Benefiting from Non-Meritocratic Privilege Trump argues against DEI by claiming it lowers standards, yet his own career has been shaped by advantages unrelated to merit, including: • Inheritance • Connections • Preferential financial treatment While DEI policies attempt to level the playing field for historically disadvantaged groups, Trump’s success is an example of how unregulated advantages (such as inherited wealth and legacy status) operate in American society. Thus, while he is not a beneficiary of DEI in the conventional sense, he has certainly benefited from systemic advantages that function in a similar way—just for a different group.

Mitch McConnell: Airplanes Killed Bipartisanship Discover how the invention of the jet plane changed political dynamics, impacting bipartisan collaboration in Congress. We explore this fascinating shift through personal anecdotes and insightful discussions on past congressional interactions and evolving social perceptions. #PoliticalChange #BipartisanPolitics #CongressionalPolitics #MitchMcConnell #NancyPelosi #AmericanPolitics #PoliticalHistory #WashingtonDC #JetPlanes #TwoPartySystem

Mitch McConnell: Airplanes Killed Bipartisanship Discover how the invention of the jet plane changed political dynamics, impacting bipartisan collaboration in Congress. We explore this fascinating shift through personal anecdotes and insightful discussions on past congressional interactions and evolving social perceptions. #PoliticalChange #BipartisanPolitics #CongressionalPolitics #MitchMcConnell #NancyPelosi #AmericanPolitics #PoliticalHistory #WashingtonDC #JetPlanes #TwoPartySystem

not qualified

https://lnkd.in/gqFB8W95 Miles to Go | Episode 40: Harold Coghlan on the Mid-Air Collision near Reagan National Airport 🔗 Listen now: [Insert Link] 🚨 A tragic mid-air collision near Washington Reagan Airport has put a spotlight on the dangers of D.C.'s complex airspace. In this episode, veteran pilot Harold Coghlan joins Miles O’Brien to break down what happened, the risks of military and civilian aviation operating so closely, and what needs to change to prevent future disasters. 🔍 Key Topics Discussed: ✅ The unique dangers of flying in Washington D.C. airspace ✅ How military helicopters and airliners operate in the same congested airspace ✅ The ‘see and avoid’ problem—why night flying increases the risk ✅ What went wrong in this accident and how future crashes can be avoided ✅ The troubling rise in military aviation accidents

Good grief! .... "common sense" ... really? 🙄 👉 I am going to make a GUESS (=> I could be wrong) here as to why the crash happened: When flying you have to be able to think 3-Dimensionally and this is probably where the pilot of the Black Hawk Helicopter made an error in judgment. He most likely predicted that he would pass BELOW the aircraft, however as you know when a plane descends, it is NON-LINEAR DESCENT and depends on the air speed and pressure below and above the plane! What the pilot should have done: (a) Slow down! (b) Try to make a circular turn like a commercial aircraft and review the situation e.g. with Air Traffic Control to make a second attempt at that pass Let us wait for a thorough analysis by Aviation Engineers though, before arriving at a final verdict!

AOPA Air Safety Institute preliminary report

cryptic , straight in face and possibly effective

On January 29, 2025, a devastating mid-air collision occurred near Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport, involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. Tragically, all 64 passengers and crew aboard the jet, as well as the three military personnel on the helicopter, lost their lives. #cnn Black Hawk pilot, CRJ pilot, and TWR operator, three professionals; why did such a basic mistake occur? In recent years, cars have been equipped with radars, which can quickly detect the fear of a collision and automatically brake. I wonder if such a device exists in aircraft, especially military helicopters like Black Hawk. There have been many plane accidents since last year, which implies something. I want people to refrain from flying until Aviation organizations clarify and improve these mechanisms. Here is Captain Steeeve analyzing this incident. #pat25 #crj #aircraft #washingtondc #ronaldreagan #airport #faa Federal Aviation Administration International Air Transport Association (IATA) International Civil Aviation Organization

Next up: first flight! Learn more about what we’ve been up to out on the historic lakebeds of Edwards Air Force Base: