White House issues new threat to veto aviation bill

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON, Sept 8 (Reuters)

The Bush administration issued a new threat on Monday to veto pending aviation legislation if Congress removes a proposal to contract out more air traffic work now performed by unionized controllers.

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said White House advisers would recommend President George W. Bush reject the $59 billion, four-year blueprint for federal aviation programs if certain provisions already cleared by a congressional negotiating committee were changed. ---

At issue are plans by the administration to convert 69 airport towers operated by FAA controllers to private hands. The agency already contracts controller operations at more than 200 small towers nationally.

The controllers' union has fought that proposal, saying it is the first step to privatizing the entire air traffic system. It also objects to a proposal in the bill that would ban additional privatization for four years. ---

Privatize bush It’s a Good Thing

[baby_bear]

1. Is Mineta still a Democrat or has he converted?

I can't see why he would be so anti-labor.

s_m

[Parche]

2. Ignorance

What the hell is he thinking trying privatize the FAA
that is the most ignorant, stupid, arrogant thing he could ever do
Safety is the most important of all, a private company would screw
over all of the airlines and airports, like they do already,
it would be a nightmare.

[teknomanzer]

9. I don't know...

just a little off beat thinking but wouldn't a private company have to keep things straight in order to avoid lawsuits from airline companies?

Don't get me wrong, I know this move has more to do with weakening unions than improving the quality of airtraffic control.

[Rose Siding]

3. He wants 87 billion and issues veto threats?

Does that make ANY sense?

[RC]

5. Well, yeeeaah.

"What does one have to do with the other? Duhhh!"

If they were smart enough to figure out their actions in one area affects peoples opinions in all other areas, we would not be in this mess.

[David__77]

4. Go ahead!

Let's see more vetoes. Big deal. Block him and block him again. He won't survive trhe scrutiny. "They want to surrender our aircraft security to poorly-trained cheaper replacements. They don't care enough about the American people!"

[OldCurmudgeon]

7. an empty threat from the WH

it's been 2-1/2 years, and *how* many bill has Shrub vetoed?

ZERO.

So don't believe it, he won't veto. He might whine and complain, but when push comes to shove, he won't veto.

Probably because he doesn't know how to spell "veto".

[MasonJar]

6. How can citizens support this Dumbo

This is just like Reagan who fired the air traffic controllers who went on strike; the airways have not been as safe since then. Wonder which lobbying group is buying this garbage.

[lostnfound]

8. Safety -- worth about 2 points

What is the logic here: People who inspect the shoes of old ladies and pull little children out of their strollers going through airport security simply ALL had to be federal employees, but the ones who direct airplanes in the sky should be private?

Cheap labor, more spoils with which to corral and reward the Republican campaign contributors, organized-labor-busting: it's all enough to warm even a V.P.'s ailing heart. Maybe he's holding a grudge from watching them during the Reagan years..

(Hmmm..while they are at it, maybe, might as well save a few bucks and teach those uppity ATC-union guys a lesson: import the replacements from Pakistan...! ;) Gee, could even use the new recruits to fill the empty airplanes returning after secret deportation flights to Islamabad..) Alternatively, he could ask FirstEnergy if they want to get in the business (batteries, equipment, maintenance and training sold separately).

[pfitz59]

10. Contracts have been promised.......

Carlyle. Halliburton. Dyncorp. Someone is pulling the strings. Privatizing FAA is BAD, BAD idea! Will slave all towers to one central location and hire Homer Simpson to watch the show. Will lead to absolute chaos! BTW - FAA is 150% funded by taxes on airline tickets. Excess has been used for years to fudge budget figures. (Raiding FAA fund just like SSN fund!) Follow the money!