The most striking thing about the proposal is that two of the chemicals, Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) will be set at the limits of our current ability to detect them: four parts per trillion. In other words, if there’s any sign of the chemicals present, it would be above the legal limit. (Both of these are acidic hydrocarbons where all of the hydrogen has been replaced by fluorine.)
Very good news indeed
Earlier this month we noted how a successful, often homophobic smear campaign scuttled the nomination of popular reformer Gigi Sohn to the FCC. The GOP and telecom sector, as usual, worked in close collaboration to spread all manner of lies about Sohn, including claims she was an unhinged radical that hated Hispanics, cops, puppies, and freedom.
But there was no shortage of blame to be had on the Democratic side as well.
Unlike the shock and awe Khan nomination and promotion, the Biden administration waited nine months to even nominate Sohn, giving industry ample runway to create its ultimately successful campaign. Maria Cantwell buckled to repeated GOP requests for unnecessary show hearings, used to push false claims about Sohn that the industry had seeded in the press via various nonprofits. Chuck Schumer failed to whip up votes. Senators Masto, Kelly, and Manchin all buckled to industry fear campaigns, preventing a swift 51 vote Senate confirmation.
And nobody in the Biden administration thought it was particularly important to provide any meaningful public messaging support as Sohn faced down a relentless, industry smear campaign, alone. The entire process from beginning to end was a hot, incompetent mess.
And from every indication, there’s also no real evidence that the Biden administration had a plan B in the wake of Sohn’s nomination falling apart. Weeks after the fact and the White House still hasn’t pulled Sohn’s name from consideration or proposed a replacement candidate:
In a note to financial types, former top FCC official Blair Levin, now a media analyst, said a growing list of people apparently interested in the open seat suggests it would be a fair assumption that the White House did not have a plan B. “It may be sometime before it selects a new nominee, further delaying the moment when the Democrats obtain an FCC majority,” Levin said.
Given this was the industry’s entire goal, I’m sure they’re pleased.
Yeah. Sounds like another example of how, unlike Republican politicians, Dems generally lack a fire in the belly (or whatever) that pushes them to get things done quickly. Steady, careful planning and work can be a way to get things done right, but it can also be a way to get them done too late, or even not at all.
Yeah; his aviation experience was very slim to takeover the FAA.
Since you’re in the biz, what’s your take on what the head of the FAA should have for credentials? My take is it should include a wealth of experience within the FAA proper, or at the very least the NTSB.
I’m not sure NTSB experience is a hard requirement. But at least 20 years in aviation. Certainly being a CEO of a large airport would be great to be part of that. But other experience as well. Though the CEO experience gives you broad insight into operations, funding, concessions- where a ton of your income comes from, capital development programs, bond sales, accessibility, safety and most importantly- politics. You’re going to have to work with City Councils or Boards that are staffed by pols to run the place. And the state and DC. And operating under all the FAA regs- that don’t apply to other US DOT modalities. His experience in FTA agencies isn’t as germane - great in addition to aviation experience.
That’s just the civilian aviation side.
After Louisiana State University beat the University of Iowa for the women’s college basketball championship on April 2, 2023 – winning by 17 points – first lady Jill Biden floated the idea of inviting both the winning and losing teams to the White House to celebrate because Iowa “played such a good game.”
…
Being invited to the White House is traditionally reserved as a coveted reward for the team that wins the championship. The coincidence of first lady Biden inviting a majority white runner-up team signifies white privilege. I’m not aware of any situation where the team that lost a championship got invited to the White House, but it’s particularly difficult for me to imagine the same treatment being afforded to a majority Black team that was the runner-up.
No Dr. Biden… no.
Another angle on this story was reported on The Daily Show (set at 3:45):
Roy Wood Jr. has rocketed to the top of my fave guest hosts so far. Him, Kal Penn, Hasan Minaj, Sarah Silverman, and DL Hughley have been my faves…
Same here. My other faves were Wanda Sykes and Chelsea Handler.
Check your start time!
It worked for me for the Dr. Jill Biden story. 
Worked for me too, right at 3:45.
But I thought we were supposed to be looking at Thomas accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gifts? It was just before the marked time.
Ah, that explains it! I was responding to the post about Dr. Jill Biden and the NCAA championship celebration at the White House, not the Clarence Thomas report.
I only realized that too late! The screen grab is of Thomas, so in my mind that’s what you wanted us to watch. Sorry to confuse people!
