breaking >> @Delta tells @NRA to F off—that’s how it’s done @FedEx. #DumpNRA https://t.co/qqUuRho7mq
— Will's Media Reform School #DoBetter ⚖️ 🌻 (@bywillpollock) February 24, 2018
Atlanta is a beautiful blue progressive bastion trapped in a rat-fucking shithole named the State of Georgia.
Specifically, the *politics of Georgia.
After Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines broke ties with the National Rifle Association over its response to the Parkland shooting in Florida, Casey Cagle—area wingnut and Lt. Governor, running for the state’s top job—took up the mantle of defending the NRA, which is of course a little, marginalized and vulnerable organization that can’t speak up for itself.
Also breaking today: Gov. Nathan Deal signed the tax-break revocation into law, despite being troubled by its ramifications. Being “troubled” and offering “thoughts and prayers” is the stock answer of any politician in today’s GOP. They’re in perpetual servitude of their donors.
employer of 30K people in Georgia vs. a fruit loop dingus who wants the governor’s manse? riiiight.@Delta will gladly fly you to your common-sense workshop @CaseyCagle. https://t.co/83k5MkGgGR
— Will's Media Reform School #DoBetter ⚖️ 🌻 (@bywillpollock) February 26, 2018
After e-mailing the company myself for comment, I was cc-ed on Delta CEO Ed Bastian’s memo to all employees which, to say the least, takes the high road—reaffirming its commitment to the city of Atlanta as its home base of operations. This is how you respond to a crisis with a steady hand (emphasis mine):
While Delta’s intent was to remain neutral, some elected officials in Georgia tied our decision to a pending jet fuel tax exemption, threatening to eliminate it unless we reversed course. Our decision was not made for economic gain and our values are not for sale. We are in the process of a review to end group discounts for any group of a politically divisive nature.
What’s amazing to me is that Cagle and state GOP’s hysterical reaction could in any way be seen as a legitimate response to a crisis of this magnitude. Delta finished its statement with a drop-the-mic quote:
I know it is not comfortable to be caught in a highly emotional debate, and many of you have received questions from customers. We are at our best when we bring our customers and our world closer together. Hopefully, our decisions this week will serve this ultimate cause.
https://twitter.com/bywillpollock/status/943882628901548064
Atlanta is the cultural heart and soul of the state of Georgia and yet at the state level we have prepubescent teens making laws. Whatever, man. As a near-million miler and frequent traveler, I’ll continue to fly Delta and feel proud doing it. Until we have actual policymakers in charge of the state of Georgia, we’ll continue to have hysterical reactions to situations that call for a steady hand. 😡
Will Pollock
is an Atlanta-based freelance multimedia journalist focusing on pop-culture, politics, journalism & media, retail, real estate, travel, politics, and human interest.
He is the author of two books (Pizza for Good & Leaving Triscuit), with more on the way. Sign up for the mailing list, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram–and check out the book links below. Make sure to comment often–cranky loves company.
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