From our « Clueless Department »:
‘Delta Air Lines Inc. will likely ask its pilots union to extend an agreement to recall retired pilots to prevent staffing shortages as it ambitiously expands its international service while operating under bankruptcy protection, chief executive Gerald Grinstein said Tuesday. Grinstein made the comments after a news conference set up to launch new nonstop service to several European destinations beginning in May. The nation’s third-largest carrier has seen 1,190 of its pilots retire over the last year, many of them early. The mass exodus came as many pilots feared losing their pension benefits if the airline filed for Chapter 11, which it did Sept. 14. Asked if the Atlanta-based airline is concerned about its ability to maintain its new international schedule long-term, Grinstein said Tuesday that it wasn’t. He said Delta will likely ask the pilots union to extend an agreement first reached in September 2004 that allows it to recall retired pilots on a limited basis to help prevent staffing shortages. He said the current agreement runs out Dec. 31. “We expect to be able to man that equipment,” Grinstein told reporters gathered at the Atlanta airport. … Delta has said it would make international travel a bigger part of its operations as part of its effort to return to profitability. It has announced 50 new international destinations this year.’
Clueless, I tell you.
From our « What the ?! Department »:
‘A deadly bacteria listed among bioterrorism agents was detected in the US capital last month during a mass protest against the Iraq war, a top health official said. District of Columbia Health Director Doctor Gregg Pane told WTOP Radio late Saturday that biological agent monitors on the National Mall, an esplanade in downtown Washington, gave positive readings for a small amount of tularemia on September 24 and 25. The sensors are operated by the Department of Homeland Security, but officials were not notified of the potential hazard until Friday, according to Pane. “We’ve stepped up our surveillance and have notified doctors in the area about what to look for,” Pane told the radio station. He urged people who were at the Mall last weekend and who have been experiencing symptoms of pneumonia to immediately seek medical help, but added that there was no evidence that anyone had been affected by the bacteria. … The Washington Post reported Sunday that national security officials believe the bacteria was probably not intentionally spread. “There is no known nexus to terror or criminal behavior. We believe this to be environmental,” the paper quoted Russ Knocke, spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security, as saying.’
What the ?!, I ask you.
And lastly tonight … from our « The Dude is Obviously Insane Department »:
‘George Bush told the Prime Minister two months before the invasion of Iraq that Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran and North Korea may also be dealt with over weapons of mass destruction, a top secret Downing Street memo shows. The US [Emperor] told Tony Blair, in a secret telephone conversation in January 2003 that he “wanted to go beyond Iraq”. He implied that the military action against Saddam Hussein was only a first step in the battle against WMD proliferation in a series of countries. … Bush said he “wanted to go beyond Iraq in dealing with WMD proliferation”, says the letter on Downing Street paper, marked secret and personal. No 10 said yesterday it would “not comment on leaked documents”. But the revelation that … Bush was considering tackling other countries over WMD before the Iraq war has shocked MPs. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have been close allies of the US in the war against terror and have not been considered targets in relation to WMD.’
Insane, I tell you. Obviously insane.
God help us all.
