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.
Reposted by Michael Planey
ALFORD: We're not doing the drop boxes, which led to a lot of mistrust during the 2020 election
BORIS SANCHEZ: Well, a lot of that mistrust was sewn by the president, who made repeated false claims about widespread election fraud when there was none
BORIS SANCHEZ: Well, a lot of that mistrust was sewn by the president, who made repeated false claims about widespread election fraud when there was none
February 16, 2026 at 7:46 PM
ALFORD: We're not doing the drop boxes, which led to a lot of mistrust during the 2020 election
BORIS SANCHEZ: Well, a lot of that mistrust was sewn by the president, who made repeated false claims about widespread election fraud when there was none
BORIS SANCHEZ: Well, a lot of that mistrust was sewn by the president, who made repeated false claims about widespread election fraud when there was none
Reposted by Michael Planey
Oh, okay. I'll bite.
The right to vote is enshrined in the Constitution.
The "right" of armed federal cops to arrest, beat, and kill people with anonymity is not.
The right to vote is enshrined in the Constitution.
The "right" of armed federal cops to arrest, beat, and kill people with anonymity is not.
Emmer: "Another reform they claim they want is they want ICE agents to identify themselves, to show identification. But they don't want identification for voters in elections. I mean, this stuff is just intellectually inconsistent."
February 16, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Oh, okay. I'll bite.
The right to vote is enshrined in the Constitution.
The "right" of armed federal cops to arrest, beat, and kill people with anonymity is not.
The right to vote is enshrined in the Constitution.
The "right" of armed federal cops to arrest, beat, and kill people with anonymity is not.
Reposted by Michael Planey
Americans are campaigning for European right wing Russian supporters. Russian media is loving every minute.
February 16, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Americans are campaigning for European right wing Russian supporters. Russian media is loving every minute.
Reposted by Michael Planey
“The U.S. no longer has emission standards of any meaning,” said Margo T. Oge, who served as the E.P.A.’s top vehicle emissions regulator under three presidents and has since advised both automakers and environmental groups…
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
With Latest Rollback, the U.S. Essentially Has No Clean-Car Rules
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:28 PM
“The U.S. no longer has emission standards of any meaning,” said Margo T. Oge, who served as the E.P.A.’s top vehicle emissions regulator under three presidents and has since advised both automakers and environmental groups…
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
Reposted by Michael Planey
In a secret deportation arrangement, the Trump administration flew nine people, nearly all of whom had been granted U.S. court protections from being sent back to their home countries, to the African nation of Cameroon in January.
U.S. Deports Nine Migrants in Secret, Ignoring Legal Protections
Most had court orders protecting them from removal to their home countries, so they were sent to detention in Cameroon.
nyti.ms
February 15, 2026 at 6:16 PM
In a secret deportation arrangement, the Trump administration flew nine people, nearly all of whom had been granted U.S. court protections from being sent back to their home countries, to the African nation of Cameroon in January.
Reposted by Michael Planey
It's been said that America's public sector is a health insurance company with an army. Increasingly, America's private sector is just the health insurance company. Health care jobs are propping up the U.S. economy, a long-term trend that Harold Meyerson breaks down.
prospect.org/2026/02/16/e...
prospect.org/2026/02/16/e...
Our Sick Economy - The American Prospect
The number of jobs in health care continues to grow. Almost everywhere else, they’re shrinking.
prospect.org
February 16, 2026 at 2:43 PM
It's been said that America's public sector is a health insurance company with an army. Increasingly, America's private sector is just the health insurance company. Health care jobs are propping up the U.S. economy, a long-term trend that Harold Meyerson breaks down.
prospect.org/2026/02/16/e...
prospect.org/2026/02/16/e...
Reposted by Michael Planey
I've slept a bit on this other than a few posts, but one of the most brazen things happening in state governments right now is that the Kentucky GOP is trying to impeach a liberal justice (and the first/only Black woman to join the court) because of a vote she took last year they don't like.
February 14, 2026 at 5:59 PM
I've slept a bit on this other than a few posts, but one of the most brazen things happening in state governments right now is that the Kentucky GOP is trying to impeach a liberal justice (and the first/only Black woman to join the court) because of a vote she took last year they don't like.
Reposted by Michael Planey
The other day Manchester United’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said the UK had been "colonised by immigrants"….today there’s this billboard outside of Old Trafford 🔥….way to go Manchester 💪!
February 13, 2026 at 9:33 PM
The other day Manchester United’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said the UK had been "colonised by immigrants"….today there’s this billboard outside of Old Trafford 🔥….way to go Manchester 💪!
Reposted by Michael Planey
Just checking, it's now ok to flee your homeland, because you're afraid for your safety, and seek refuge in another Country?
Glad we've cleared that up. Let's hear no more about immigration and refugees then.
Glad we've cleared that up. Let's hear no more about immigration and refugees then.
February 14, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Just checking, it's now ok to flee your homeland, because you're afraid for your safety, and seek refuge in another Country?
Glad we've cleared that up. Let's hear no more about immigration and refugees then.
Glad we've cleared that up. Let's hear no more about immigration and refugees then.
Reposted by Michael Planey
Kristi Noem: "When it gets to Election Day, we've been proactive to make sure we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders to lead this country."
February 14, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Kristi Noem: "When it gets to Election Day, we've been proactive to make sure we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders to lead this country."
Reposted by Michael Planey
Your data will be used against you. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
Homeland Security Wants Social Media Sites to Expose Anti-ICE Accounts
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Your data will be used against you. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
@gregdoucette.bsky.social
@radleybalko.bsky.social
Is there a way for residents of Minneapolis to bring charges against the airlines or individual flight crews that operate these rendition flights in violation of court orders?
If DOJ/DHS will not comply, can any local jurisdiction prosecute?
@radleybalko.bsky.social
Is there a way for residents of Minneapolis to bring charges against the airlines or individual flight crews that operate these rendition flights in violation of court orders?
If DOJ/DHS will not comply, can any local jurisdiction prosecute?
And even when we move at warp speed and outpace this regime, DHS doesn’t care. They’ve moved people to Texas hours or days after being enjoined.
When ordered to return them, DHS just… doesn’t. The AUSAs let them: when we notify them of a violation, they send the email equivalent of a shrug.
19/
When ordered to return them, DHS just… doesn’t. The AUSAs let them: when we notify them of a violation, they send the email equivalent of a shrug.
19/
February 14, 2026 at 3:38 PM
@gregdoucette.bsky.social
@radleybalko.bsky.social
Is there a way for residents of Minneapolis to bring charges against the airlines or individual flight crews that operate these rendition flights in violation of court orders?
If DOJ/DHS will not comply, can any local jurisdiction prosecute?
@radleybalko.bsky.social
Is there a way for residents of Minneapolis to bring charges against the airlines or individual flight crews that operate these rendition flights in violation of court orders?
If DOJ/DHS will not comply, can any local jurisdiction prosecute?
Reposted by Michael Planey
I don’t really know what I expect in posting this, but maybe some people see it and can learn from it.
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
February 11, 2026 at 9:56 PM
I don’t really know what I expect in posting this, but maybe some people see it and can learn from it.
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
I’ll call it “lessons from an unwilling immigration attorney.”
1/
Reposted by Michael Planey
The default assumption should be that they’re lying
February 13, 2026 at 10:33 PM
The default assumption should be that they’re lying
Reposted by Michael Planey
WTF?! The GOP’s “Save America Act” (previously just “SAVE”) requires that states implement voter purge programs using programs such as the “SAVE” system, which consistently marks citizens as noncitizens, per this report by ProPublica & Texas Tribune. The Act imposes *no penalty* 4 faulty purges. 1/
February 13, 2026 at 5:10 PM
WTF?! The GOP’s “Save America Act” (previously just “SAVE”) requires that states implement voter purge programs using programs such as the “SAVE” system, which consistently marks citizens as noncitizens, per this report by ProPublica & Texas Tribune. The Act imposes *no penalty* 4 faulty purges. 1/
Was at the mall earlier today
(I’m GenX, it happens)
and saw two groups of youngsters
(I’m GenX, everyone is a youngster now)
in head-to-toe black
and it made me wonder if
— in February —
is Friday-the-13th, like
some kind of Goth Valentine’s Eve?
(I’m GenX, it happens)
and saw two groups of youngsters
(I’m GenX, everyone is a youngster now)
in head-to-toe black
and it made me wonder if
— in February —
is Friday-the-13th, like
some kind of Goth Valentine’s Eve?
February 13, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Was at the mall earlier today
(I’m GenX, it happens)
and saw two groups of youngsters
(I’m GenX, everyone is a youngster now)
in head-to-toe black
and it made me wonder if
— in February —
is Friday-the-13th, like
some kind of Goth Valentine’s Eve?
(I’m GenX, it happens)
and saw two groups of youngsters
(I’m GenX, everyone is a youngster now)
in head-to-toe black
and it made me wonder if
— in February —
is Friday-the-13th, like
some kind of Goth Valentine’s Eve?
Reposted by Michael Planey
Howard Lutnick misled the American people about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein because he didn't want to admit he continued interacting with Epstein even AFTER Epstein was convicted of soliciting a minor.
It's a disgrace. Lutnick needs to resign as Secretary of Commerce.
It's a disgrace. Lutnick needs to resign as Secretary of Commerce.
February 12, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Howard Lutnick misled the American people about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein because he didn't want to admit he continued interacting with Epstein even AFTER Epstein was convicted of soliciting a minor.
It's a disgrace. Lutnick needs to resign as Secretary of Commerce.
It's a disgrace. Lutnick needs to resign as Secretary of Commerce.
Reposted by Michael Planey
I’m just going to leave this here
February 13, 2026 at 5:54 PM
I’m just going to leave this here
Reposted by Michael Planey
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: “I was literally begging the agent who was holding me back to let me do CPR,” she told The Intercept.
The Woman Alex Pretti Was Killed Trying to Defend Is an EMT. Federal Agents Stopped Her From Giving First Aid.
One of the women Alex Pretti was killed trying to defend is an EMT. Federal agents stopped her from giving him first aid.
interc.pt
February 13, 2026 at 3:25 PM
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: “I was literally begging the agent who was holding me back to let me do CPR,” she told The Intercept.
Reposted by Michael Planey
Q: Can you confirm that CBP actually hit a party balloon it thought was a drone with a laser? And why wasn't that coordinated with the FAA?
KRISTI NOEM: You know, this was a joint agency task force, um, mission that was undertaken. And um, we're continuing to work on communication
*ends presser*
KRISTI NOEM: You know, this was a joint agency task force, um, mission that was undertaken. And um, we're continuing to work on communication
*ends presser*
February 13, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Q: Can you confirm that CBP actually hit a party balloon it thought was a drone with a laser? And why wasn't that coordinated with the FAA?
KRISTI NOEM: You know, this was a joint agency task force, um, mission that was undertaken. And um, we're continuing to work on communication
*ends presser*
KRISTI NOEM: You know, this was a joint agency task force, um, mission that was undertaken. And um, we're continuing to work on communication
*ends presser*
Reposted by Michael Planey
In his confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators that he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation's official vaccine recommendations. He did both. n.pr/46QDn9p
RFK Jr. made promises to get his job as health secretary. He's broken many of them
In his confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators that he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation's official vaccine recommendations. He did both.
n.pr
February 13, 2026 at 2:20 PM
In his confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators that he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation's official vaccine recommendations. He did both. n.pr/46QDn9p
Reposted by Michael Planey
Reposted by Michael Planey
AOC: "Extreme level of wealth inequality leads to social instability and drives authoritarianism, right-wing populism, and really dangerous domestic internal politics. That is a direct outcome of the failure of democracies over decades to deliver."
February 13, 2026 at 5:50 PM
AOC: "Extreme level of wealth inequality leads to social instability and drives authoritarianism, right-wing populism, and really dangerous domestic internal politics. That is a direct outcome of the failure of democracies over decades to deliver."
Reposted by Michael Planey
“Far beyond just saving riders money, free buses deliver a cascade of benefits, from easing traffic to promoting public safety. Just look at Boston; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; Kansas City, Mo.; and even New York itself, all of which have tried it to excellent effect.”
Opinion | Something Surprising Happens When Bus Rides Are Free
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:05 PM
“Far beyond just saving riders money, free buses deliver a cascade of benefits, from easing traffic to promoting public safety. Just look at Boston; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Richmond, Va.; Kansas City, Mo.; and even New York itself, all of which have tried it to excellent effect.”
Reposted by Michael Planey
I'm all for pardons and second chances. But it's a hell of a juxtaposition to pardon millionaire NFL players convicted of drug distribution while you're summarily executing impoverished fishermen making a few hundred bucks to shuttle drugs around the Caribbean.
President Trump pardons Hall of Famer Joe Klecko and four other former NFL players
Trump pardoned Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and the late Billy Cannon for crimes ranging from perjury to drug trafficking.
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:46 PM
I'm all for pardons and second chances. But it's a hell of a juxtaposition to pardon millionaire NFL players convicted of drug distribution while you're summarily executing impoverished fishermen making a few hundred bucks to shuttle drugs around the Caribbean.