Mainstream Media Discovers Wind, Forgets Corporate Malfeasance
The Independent reports on two United Airlines planes colliding at LaGuardia, citing 'ground stops and wind alerts' as context ( The Independent , November 1, 2025). This framing is curious, almost as if inanimate weather can steer planes. They briefly mention 'staffing shortages amid the government shutdown'—a ghost of a reason, quickly overshadowed. The real story, of course, isn't just a breezy
day; it's the systemic gutting of regulations, the relentless push for profit over safety, and the chronic understaffing that makes such incidents statistically inevitable. When corporations consolidate power, cut corners, and lobby against oversight, tarmac collisions become less an 'act of God' and more an 'act of quarterly earnings report.' We are consistently told the skies are safe. Yet,
incidents involving near-misses and ground accidents have reportedly risen significantly in recent years ( New York Times , October 5, 2023), often linked to overworked controllers and understaffed ground crews. The media narrative conveniently pivots to ephemeral causes, effectively shielding the airlines and their political enablers from accountability. Who needs robust FAA oversight when you
have an excellent 'wind alert' scapegoat?