These career bureaucrats evidently possess an infinite supply of gall! You’re actually going to lock the doors on an appointed and legally authorized agent of the President of the United States as if he’s just “some guy” who showed up at the front door? You just can’t make up stuff like this, they really do act like they are untouchable, unaccountable and certainly uncontrollable. Can’t wrap my head around that kind of fantasy world thinking.
That's funny, I had always assumed that USAID was ALREADY under State, as the social overlap between the Embassy people and USAID staff everywhere I lived overseas was near absolute. Wow, even LESS supervised in their influence operations than what I'd assumed was a very long leash given by State.
It has technically been an independent agency, something like the SEC in that sense. I think you have to view it as having been part of a foreign policy team with State and CIA. Think of the close connect between those last two at our overseas missions and then add USAID to the mix.
Good point. This "free agency" makes a lot of sense viewed in context of how our foreign missions operate in real-world terms.
When I worked over in Russia in the mid-'90s, USAID hired my firm (and the Moscow offices of a number of other global law firms) to write and research a bunch of position papers (really, policy proposals to the Yeltsin government) on whole range of legal-institutional aspects of governance. For example, my big project was a proposal on a secondary mortgage-lending authority along the lines of a Fannie Mae. Wish I'd known then of the pernicious nature of this work and all the Open Society types buzzing around the hive.
I read elsewhere that there was a high possibility of visual mis-ID of the plane. That visual ID was required, difficult with night vision goggles (tunnel vision) in a busy location. Since the name of the female was released as the pilot, I assume she was lead at the controls and the male voice was effectively the co-pilot.
visual mis id I read that too but it appears quite incorrect - no other planes in area - also read lights from buildings are confusing - they were apparently at 400 ft
an experienced pilot does not have these issues IMHO
:33 PAT 25 has the traffic in sight, request visual separation
1:15 PAT 25 has the traffic in sight, request visual separation
The blackbox won't lie--so we'll find out, sooner or later. At this point I think we can agree "Rebecca lacked situational experience". To me that points to deeper management issues as well. Somebody made the wrong call having her up there in that position.
The blackbox won't lie. This will be a test for Hegseth. And not just her:
They deleted Rebecca Lobach’s social media accounts before releasing her name. It wasn’t to grieve.
— I Am Leah (@Bossy_Leah) February 1, 2025
They even scrubbed her family members’ accounts.
It is not just that Rebecca Lobach is gone from social media, both her sisters and parents were scrubbed as well. This sister had a LinkedIn and an X which you can see clearly on Google, but the pages are gone. Another sister has a Pinterest account that’s been scrubbed as well.… pic.twitter.com/HTtR3GUcQW
— Krysten Mccord (@anchoredowlex) February 2, 2025
Ray: Was she an actual full time aide in the Biden WH? Therefore not logging flight time. This could have been a re-qualification flight?
Or was she one of the many WH "aides" comprised of military officers stationed in DC area,who escorted dignitaries etc at ceremonial events, in their off duty time?
I had several friends who did this during the 90s. Made for nice brownie points on the performance reports.
I assume this is about safeguarding the base in Djibouti and making a statement about not transitioning to being a punching bag. I didn't read deeply re this but did see that it was an attack on ISIS in Somalia. Don't know how that works re the different factions there and Ethiopia. Complicated part of the world.
These career bureaucrats evidently possess an infinite supply of gall! You’re actually going to lock the doors on an appointed and legally authorized agent of the President of the United States as if he’s just “some guy” who showed up at the front door? You just can’t make up stuff like this, they really do act like they are untouchable, unaccountable and certainly uncontrollable. Can’t wrap my head around that kind of fantasy world thinking.
Apparently, USAID is being folded into direct oversight by State.
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/usaid-website-goes-dark-trump-reportedly-plans-shift-agency-under-state-department
There is already a (not-yet-functioning) light 'landing page' at https://www.state.gov/policy-issues/u-s-agency-for-international-development-usaid/.
That's funny, I had always assumed that USAID was ALREADY under State, as the social overlap between the Embassy people and USAID staff everywhere I lived overseas was near absolute. Wow, even LESS supervised in their influence operations than what I'd assumed was a very long leash given by State.
It has technically been an independent agency, something like the SEC in that sense. I think you have to view it as having been part of a foreign policy team with State and CIA. Think of the close connect between those last two at our overseas missions and then add USAID to the mix.
Here’s how Sundance describes the arrangement:
“ For those who don’t know, USAID is the cover group for CIA intervention in all foreign affairs.
The CIA and State Dept work together. USAID is the sub agency silo that carries out the missions.
The State Dept is the front of house, the dining room. The CIA is the kitchen. USAID are the staff, with DoD as the bussers.”
I swear I didn't read that first.
Good point. This "free agency" makes a lot of sense viewed in context of how our foreign missions operate in real-world terms.
When I worked over in Russia in the mid-'90s, USAID hired my firm (and the Moscow offices of a number of other global law firms) to write and research a bunch of position papers (really, policy proposals to the Yeltsin government) on whole range of legal-institutional aspects of governance. For example, my big project was a proposal on a secondary mortgage-lending authority along the lines of a Fannie Mae. Wish I'd known then of the pernicious nature of this work and all the Open Society types buzzing around the hive.
FAA Academy in Oklahoma struggled to fill classrooms due to DEI quotas, Sen. Mullin says | Fox News
https://www.foxnews.com/media/faa-academy-oklahoma-struggled-fill-classrooms-due-dei-quotas-sen-mullin-says
Blackhawk tragedy appears to be 99% Pilot Error
and the Pilot in Error seems to be possibly Eaves
Link below - I listened to couple times because everyone was blaming ground control and DEI
but it really seems to be fully the helicopter pilots fault at least 99%
ground control identified the exact position of the plane
the bridge
The height 1200 feet
and where the plane was landing runway 33
and the helicopter pilot acknowledged twice that they saw it and would act
Request Visual Separation
The helicopter pilot at fault appears to possibly be Andrew EAVES
for it seems to be his voice a male voice [ my assumption ]
- in hindsight you can always say something else should’ve been done by ground control
but it appears the ground control operator did his job correctly
and according to all standards and procedures
and there appears to be a male voice on the communications not female
so if I am correct it appears to be Andrew Eaves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r90Xw3tQC0I
If I am correct in the identification of Andrew Eaves
If the blackbox shows Andrew Eaves told Rebecca Lobach to turn or otherwise take evasive action and she did not, - that is a different issue
however Eaves seems to be the one in control of communications
I read elsewhere that there was a high possibility of visual mis-ID of the plane. That visual ID was required, difficult with night vision goggles (tunnel vision) in a busy location. Since the name of the female was released as the pilot, I assume she was lead at the controls and the male voice was effectively the co-pilot.
visual mis id I read that too but it appears quite incorrect - no other planes in area - also read lights from buildings are confusing - they were apparently at 400 ft
an experienced pilot does not have these issues IMHO
:33 PAT 25 has the traffic in sight, request visual separation
1:15 PAT 25 has the traffic in sight, request visual separation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r90Xw3tQC0I
A Possible Very Simple Answer for you - I do not want to point fingers but possible - need to wait for black box
Rebecca lacked situational experience and simply went right when fear took over
When two planes are heading directly towards each other, general rule both pilots should alter their course to the right to avoid a collision
===
Explanation -- General Rule boats and planes right starboard for collision avoidance
In this situation passenger Plane CRJ was landing left to field and does not have ability to quickly change course - CRJ could not go right
By going right the helicopter would have (and apparently did ) gone straight into the plane
The blackbox won't lie--so we'll find out, sooner or later. At this point I think we can agree "Rebecca lacked situational experience". To me that points to deeper management issues as well. Somebody made the wrong call having her up there in that position.
agreed
Her entire social media was scrubbed…
And last two years probably had a lack of flight hours.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/02/female-pilot-rebecca-lobach-had-her-entire-social/
We may also be learning about DEI and pilot selection.
The blackbox won't lie. This will be a test for Hegseth. And not just her:
They deleted Rebecca Lobach’s social media accounts before releasing her name. It wasn’t to grieve.
— I Am Leah (@Bossy_Leah) February 1, 2025
They even scrubbed her family members’ accounts.
It is not just that Rebecca Lobach is gone from social media, both her sisters and parents were scrubbed as well. This sister had a LinkedIn and an X which you can see clearly on Google, but the pages are gone. Another sister has a Pinterest account that’s been scrubbed as well.… pic.twitter.com/HTtR3GUcQW
— Krysten Mccord (@anchoredowlex) February 2, 2025
Ray: Was she an actual full time aide in the Biden WH? Therefore not logging flight time. This could have been a re-qualification flight?
Or was she one of the many WH "aides" comprised of military officers stationed in DC area,who escorted dignitaries etc at ceremonial events, in their off duty time?
I had several friends who did this during the 90s. Made for nice brownie points on the performance reports.
Seems to have had her full time job, while doing the ceremonial stuff. The term military social aid was in her parents announcement.
https://www.whitehousehistory.org/collections/white-house-military-social-aides
There will be records that confirm how recently she did any type of training, the type, etc.
Right. Nothing makes up for a lack of training or flight hours. Not even gender. And as with all such tragic accidents, there is more than one cause.
ML: I suspect this one had several 🥺
Wondered what your thoughts are about Trump's bombing of Somalia, less than two weeks into his presidency?
I assume this is about safeguarding the base in Djibouti and making a statement about not transitioning to being a punching bag. I didn't read deeply re this but did see that it was an attack on ISIS in Somalia. Don't know how that works re the different factions there and Ethiopia. Complicated part of the world.
So that explains the explosions in Minneapolis. /sarc
That sort of came out of nowhere didn't it?
Actually it didn’t. I have a family member who knew he was being deployed in Jan to this country in Africa for work w/Special ops.
Knew a couple of months ago.
BS free zone.