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In the News: Plane Crash in New York Felt Nationwide

Friday, February 13th, 2009

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Is it just me? Or does it seem like there have been way too many plane crashes lately? First, we had the plane go down into the Hudson River about a month ago. And now, we have a plane (that departed from Newark) crash into a Buffalo, New York neighborhood. Strangely, both of these flights originated in the New York metropolitan area. Should we be concerned about traveling in and out of the Big Apple?  The official report is that a Continental Airlines commuter plane (flight 3407 leaving Newark, NJ bound for Buffalo, NY) carrying 49 passengers crashed into a suburban Buffalo house late Thursday. The crash killed everyone on board and one person inside the home. However, the mother and daughter who lived in the house made it out safely and were treated at a local hospital for minor injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board has collected the data recorders and cockpit voice equipment to search for clues as to the reason for the crash.

The details about the crash victims are just starting to come in. There was a senior adviser for the Human Rights Watch— Africa Division, Alison Des Forges; a widow of a 9/11 victim, Beverly Eckhert; and a cantor, Susan Wehle, were killed in this crash. These passengers along with the others on this flight will not be forgotten.

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“It’s hard to make sense of it today, but God hasn’t left us,” New York Gov. David Paterson said at a news conference, expressing hope that people could find comfort in the few stories of survival — or luck — in the crash.

Daily News Roundup: SuperObama to the Rescue

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

Obama to the rescue! Burning up in California? Well, President-Elect Obama’s got your back. Our boy’s campaign website is asking folks to help the victims of the southern California wildfires by volunteering their time or donating to the cause through his website. Finally! A president that gives a shite.

China finally decided to check itself. The Chinese government announced today that will implement some food safety standards and start regulating its dairy producers. At least four babies have died over the last three months, due to complications from ingesting milk products contaminated with an industrial chemical. This isn’t the first time China has promised to clean up its act, so let’s not hold our breath . . .

Flying private jets to ask for handouts? Here we go again. Top execs from the three big auto companies—Ford, Chevy, and GM—flew to Washington, D.C. on their fancy private jets to ask for fat taxpayer handouts for their struggling businesses. During their meeting, they also promised to streamline their operations to cut down costs—you know, like, instead of drinking sparkling water, they’ll now drink regular ol’ bottled water on board those private jets. It’s a tough concession, but somebody’s got to do it.

Canada officially wins the Miss Congeniality award. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled today that obese people are allowed to reserve two seats for the price of one on airlines. The one-person-one-fare policy is a significant win in the ongoing dispute over whether airlines should mandate individuals over a certain weight to purchase two seats when they fly. The airlines argue that patrons seated next to these folks are denied a certain degree of comfort and space on flights. My question is: What comfort? And what space? Unless we’re any one of the execs from the three big auto companies mentioned above (ahem, ahem) we get no comfort and space up in those jets.

Hey Mickey, you’re so old. You’re so old, you smell like mold. Hey Mickey! Everyone’s favorite animated mouser turned 80 years old this week. In honor of the occasion, I hear the animators are going to replace those fashionable red trunks with an even better look—a Disney-themed adult diaper. W00t! W00t!