SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – OVERNIGHT: 

OFF WE GO, INTO THE CORRECT BLUE YONDER – FROM THE NEW YORK POST:  A Federal Aviation Administration advisory group is urging the agency to replace words like “airman” and “cockpit” with gender-neutral terms like “aviator” and “flight deck.”  The FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee put forth the recommendations in a report released Wednesday, part of a broader push for equity in the agency and aviation industry.  “Research shows that the utilization of general-neutral language can lead to a more inclusive environment that draws more people to the industry and helps keep them there,” the report states.
The committee offered several alternatives for terms commonly-used in the industry, such as using “manufactured” or “fabricated” instead of “man-made.”  It also noted that the term “cockpit” has at times been used by male crew members to “undermine femme co-workers” — and proposed that “flight deck” be used instead.  The report indicated that gender-neutral words would lead to a more inclusive industry as a whole.  I certainly will feel safer in the air knowing these changes are in the works. 

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' – FROM FOX:   California’s effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom has succeeded in forcing a new election within 90 days following the validation of more than 1.5 million signatures, according to state officials.  The California Secretary of State’s Office confirmed the move Wednesday evening.  The recall petition garnered over 1.7 million signatures, of which only 43 were withdrawn, leaving the effort well above the 1.5 million threshold.  "A sufficient number of verified recall signatures had previously been reached by recall proponents in April," the Secretary of State’s office announced in a statement. "However, in accordance with California election law, voters were given a 30-day period from April 26 to June 8th to request county officials remove their signatures from recall petitions."
The next phase of the recall process is now in the hands of the state’s Department of Finance, which is tasked with estimating the costs of a special election. The vote must be held within 90 days.  This doesn't mean Newsom will be ousted.  If he wins the special election against an opponent or opponents, he remains in office. 

June 24, 2021