Arrogance, not automation, is real aviation danger Re: “Report: Automation in the air dulls pilot skill,” Aug. 31
According to your flight-safety report, automatic flight controls combined with aircrafts’ superior avionics seduce pilots and result in diminished reflexes during emergency situations. Pilot anticipation would avert disasters, but this backfires when the same toss-caution-into-the-wind arrogance apparent on the “unsinkable” Titanic takes command.
Such was the case in June 2009 when pilots of an Air France flight from Brazil to Paris blatantly flew through a turbulent storm over the Atlantic, assuming the plane’s superior avionics would maneuver it out of the storm without the need to alter the flight pattern. However, the unpredictable storm tore the plane apart before it crashed into the sea.
Arguments still persist on the cause of this disaster, but the cure is basic: When in doubt, err on the side of safety.
Edward Abramic
Washington
Americans should just say no to Shariah
Like the good citizens of my birth state, I have heard the alarm from a modern day Paul Revere about a new threat invading our beloved country called Shariah law. This totalitarian doctrine governs all aspects of life, dictating how one is to eat, drink, work, pray, vote, marry, raise children and associate with others.
While I respect the right of any person to practice their Shariah-compliant customs in our country, I do not accept the idea that it should be applied in the business, social and institutional sectors of American communities. Nor should it take precedence over our constitutional law in any state or federal court decision.
The 10th anniversary of the day Shariah-compliant terrorists attacked our country is a perfect time for the good citizens of Virginia, D.C. and Maryland to respond to the alarm by educating themselves, gathering with their fellow patriots, and telling elected officials they must uphold their pledge to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. which protects the freedoms we hold so dear.
Mark Stevenson
The No Shariah Law in America Project
Springfield
Refusal to enforce law is an impeachable offense
President Obama is again circumventing Congress by moving forward on immigration amnesty by using the prosecutorial discretion of the Department of Homeland Security to not enforce the full scope of our immigration law. This is after Congress failed to pass the Dream Act not once, but twice.
This is clearly a move by the president to get his way without the popular support of the nation or Congress and with no regard for our laws or the Constitution.
I believe his motive is clear. He continues this pursuit in order to position himself for a favorable vote in 2012 — at any cost. If we weren’t so close to a presidential election, impeachment action should be considered by Congress to address Obama’s dictatorial tendencies.
Richard Wilson
Whispering Pines, N.C.
