I’m not panicked yet, but I really am worried.

Airline accidents were way up last year. Many believe that was at least partially caused by new airlines entering the field. Could be.

Will safety improve this year? I dunno. Now our guvmint is in shutdown mode. I read that some ATC folks are reluctant to work without on-time pay—and who can blame them? Will government safety inspections be neglected?

How long will the shutdown last? It is already our longest guvmint shutdown in history with both sides seemingly unwilling to give an inch.

I risk attack by many people—including my brother and many friends, but I grow weary with Trump. He is now even ranting that he never said the Mexicans would pay for his wall.

Yes, I did say “his” wall. OTOH, it is reported that Trump wasn’t the originator of the wall issue himself, but that one of his political advisors suggested he mention a wall in a speech. Trump did so mention, it was popular, and he took off with it.

I am a conservative and always will be. But I am embarrassed by Trump and his infantile tantrums.

If this be treason, I plead guilty.

Update: Friend and master aviator Jim Hackman reminded me that our domestic airlines last year had a good safety record. He is--as usual--quite correct. I should have written "world airlines." Ralph Hood