SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – OVERNIGHT: 

THE AGE WE LIVE IN – FROM BREITBART:   Social media giant Twitter reportedly plans to introduce a number of new privacy-related features, including one that would allow users to hide their old tweets. Twitter’s privacy changes come on the heels of the increasingly common scenario in which a user of the platform is canceled for posts made up to a decade ago on the platform.  MacRumors reports that Twitter is introducing new privacy-related features to its platform that will give users greater control over their follower lists and who can see their profile. One option planned for the platform is a feature that allows users to archive old tweets so that other users are unable to see them after a period of time set by the account holder.  The new features are reportedly part of the platform’s efforts to make users more comfortable and secure sharing content on the platform. The privacy initiatives are related to what Jack Dorsey’s company calls “social privacy,” which includes how users manage their online identities and public image.  I want to hear more about this.  There may be some good ideas here, but I withhold judgment.

STRUGGLES OF A GIANT – FROM FOX BUSINESS:   Deliveries of Boeing Co.'s 787 Dreamliner will likely remain halted until at least late October as the plane maker has been unable to persuade air-safety regulators to approve its proposal to inspect the aircraft, people familiar with the matter said.  With almost all deliveries paused for nearly a year, airlines and other Boeing customers increasingly are able to use the delay to walk away from deliveries or negotiate for concessions from the aerospace giant. Deliveries were first halted because the company and the Federal Aviation Administration began taking a deeper look at the plane's manufacturing defects. The holdup has choked off an important source of cash for Boeing and complicated plans for airlines.  The impasse has kept Boeing from moving more than $25 billion worth of Dreamliners. Boeing said it had about 100 of the jets in its inventory awaiting delivery at the end of June. List prices for Dreamliners start around $250 million, but customers typically pay about half that after customary discounts. First delivered in 2011, the Dreamliner has had an excellent safety record and the in-service fleet has seen heavy use during the pandemic.  No company symbolizes American industry in the rest of the world as Boeing does.  A few other names may come to mind – Apple is one – But Boeing represents America in war and peace.  Its name flies over our heads day after day.  It's had a tough time in the last few years, and there be have been some self-inflicted wounds.  But we wish the old guy well.

September 6, 2021