FAA’s Blakey Takes a Swipe at George Bush

In a recent speech before a large group of teachers from around the nation, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey was waxing poetic about the importance of building solid educational foundations for our kids, a topic I actually she and I happen to agree.

During the talk Blakey looked back on some of her experiences as administrator now that her five-year term is drawing to a close.

“I’ve been called upon to settle arguments about the number of planes that can fly into O’Hare, the place where on-time schedules go to die,” she said. “I’ve had a continuing education on labor relations. And as Administrator, I’ve learned that signing international safety agreements sometimes requires you to ride a skiff, on the Amazon, in a rainstorm; and sometimes, sometimes well, the motor dies.”

And then, almost without a breath, Blakey added her thoughts about Yale-educated George Bush’s command of English. “And your ship’s captain — well, let’s just say that English isn’t his strong suit.”

Was this tongue in cheek? I don’t know Blakey well enough to say. Was it a final tink on the nose to the Commander-in-Chief for what she’s been dealing with the past five years? Possibly.

I was actually just happy that a senior Washington staffer finally admitted that Mr. Bush has never been able to use that Yale education of his for much of anything positive.

And people thought Marion Blakey had no sense of humor.

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