Sam Stein says "There's not a furry epidemic in our airplanes"
Managing editor, The Bulwark, in a video commentary
“In all seriousness, this guy's running for governor of Alabama. He's trying to scapegoat people. … There's not a furry epidemic in our airplanes. Folks, get a grip.”
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Video posted by The Bulwark in which managing editor Sam Stein plays Senator Tuberville's floor remarks about airline workers and the furry community and responds to them.
Before the quotation
Stein introduced the video as a mock emergency broadcast about Tuberville's Senate floor remarks and played the passage in which Tuberville says many airline pilots, flight attendants and air traffic controllers are part of the furry community.
After the quotation
Stein said The Bulwark was covering the remarks because members of Congress talk about such things to distract voters, and asked viewers to subscribe.
How this statement is classified
Responding to: Many airline pilots, flight attendants and air traffic controllers are part of the furry community.
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is Tuberville's claim that many airline pilots, flight attendants and air traffic controllers are furries and a flight-safety risk. Stein expressly rejects it, denying an "epidemic" and telling viewers to "get a grip". No milder label fits because he rejects the claim outright.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Tommy Tuberville
Is there evidence for Tommy Tuberville's claim that furries working in the airline industry are a flight-safety risk?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
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Read the full case“Tuberville wants to focus on anything except the real problems facing the American public, starting with the skyrocketing cost of fuel. He could end the Iran War and protect the public from predatory AI, but instead he’s calling Care Bear “violent” to try to distract people from the real problems he helped create.”Read statement
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA
“Thanks for the shoutout, Senator Tuberville. We’re proud to be part of the furry community … OUR FURRY FLIGHT ATTENDANTS HELP KEEP OUR SKIES SAFE TOO.”Read statement
“Some, not all. … They have a club. They have an organization. … they had a section of airline pilots … Well, I don't want somebody flying me that's behind the scenes that they think they're an animal. … It's some part of mental illness that could be a catastrophe.”Read statement