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Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Sun, 03/09/2008 - 10:54am.
From Adam Wilson's blog on the Olympian. His info on the French purchase of KC-135 tankers and the State's GA purchase of 190 foreign-made autos was interesting. Wouldn't these Representatives have had to appropriate the funding for the purchase of those autos? "Published March 07, 2008 And now, from Detroit...“We are taking $40 billion taxpayer dollars and we are exporting it out of the country,” says Democratic Leader Lynn Kessler, railing against giving Airbus a contract with the Pentagon.“We don’t know about the products we are buying from France. We think they may be good, but we don’t know," said Republican Leader Richard DeBolt. “This ill-conceived contract undermines the very defense of our way of life. I believe the Department of Defense has outsourced the defense of our country," says Rep. Maralyn Chase. “I am shocked, as a former officer of this country that the Pentagon has done this," says Rep. Tom Campbell. So far, the fact that the planes would be assembled in Alabama has been dismissed. Also, no one has mentioned the scandal Boeing was involved in by trying to secure the contract through the Air Force. Nor that other countries buy American planes for their air fleets (including Boeing KC-135s for refueling French Mirage fighters). Or that the state's Department of General Administration has at this point purchased 190 Japanese-made hybrid cars since July. Campbell says that's beside the point. He swung by to say it's fine if France bought some of our planes, but all American military aircraft should be made in the U.S. It's a matter of military readiness, he said. And Rep. Sam Hunt champions the cause after the vote. "God, Scoop Jackson, Warren Magnuson, those guys who built the country would be rolling in their graves," he said." You can read the original article here. Jeff Brigham
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Good info.
Submitted by DJW on Sun, 03/09/2008 - 1:52pm.I also find it interesting that most lawmakers are forgetting about Boeing's issues with an Air Force official.
However, are you comparing GA"s purchase of fuel efficient hybrids from Japan to that of the building of a defense department aircraft? Though I really don't like the prius (very uncomfortable) I don't see the relevance of the two situations. From what I have gathered from GA and car dealers, the state is getting a sweatheart deal buying the prius in 'bulk' and you can't deny the fuel savings.
I also enjoyed the heads-up on the port costs for paying lawsuits. I have given up on reading the O. I also find it interesting that TC taxpayers are paying huge amounts to defend against lawsuits. I'm all for open government but at some point you have to say enoughs enough.
DJW
Submitted by Jeff Brigham on Sun, 03/09/2008 - 3:41pm.I see your point on the state's purchase of the Prius hybrids. I think that the point Adam Wilson was making is that some of the same politicians that are complaining about the tanker deal, when it came to a state purchase, opted for a foreign purchase. You are right that the scale is nowhere near equal. Personally, I don't have an objection to the state buying the Prius if it was a good deal and saved the taxpayers some expenses.
Here is another story on the tanker deal. Ya gotta admire Rep. Glenn Anderson. He doesn't seem to be afraid to break from the herd.
Jeff Brigham
"The best defense against terrorism is a strong offensive against terrorists. That work continues.”
President George W. Bush
Rep Anderson
Submitted by DJW on Sun, 03/09/2008 - 5:57pm.You have to like the fact he has taken a stand. I have to admit that I don't know much about him but I do admire him saying how he feels.
You've been around lawmakers long enough to know that they will take any opportunity to get some press. I'm sure the WA leaders are 'outraged' and upset. But this outrage will soon pass when the next potential publicity stunt comes around.
Maybe it's about the product.
Submitted by Rob Richards on Sun, 03/09/2008 - 4:28pm.Boeing produces a good product and we should have invested in them, especially with our economy the way it is. Our airlines are suffering miserably as it is, and now we've dealt a blow to the major maker of airplanes in the US. Sometimes, especially in the face of recession or stagflation, a little bit of economic nationalism is good. It's no different than wanting people to shop local, especially right now, when downtown needs a boost.
A lot of the stuff we use in
Submitted by The Fire Inside on Sun, 03/09/2008 - 6:02pm.A lot of the stuff we use in the Army carries a "Made in China" tag. I wouldn't be shocked if it's that way in every branch.
I can't imagine it's a good idea to have so many tools and pieces of equipment made in foreign countries. God-forbid any of them decide to turn the faucet off.
I served with a guy,
Submitted by Rob Richards on Sun, 03/09/2008 - 6:37pm.I think it's not a good idea for the simple fact that it hurts the American worker.
lol
Submitted by Norm on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 11:59am.That is some heavy-duty paranoia there.
It would be nice if companies, particularly our military, could stick with American made products services. Aircraft must be different than sidearms I suppose, because I'm pretty sure Beretta was required to open a factory in the states before the military purchased their 9mm's.
Personally
Submitted by security_six on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 12:03pm.I would like to see US Military equipment made 100% in the US by US workers, by soley US owned companies. We are a large and rich enough nation that we should be able to create our own military equipment.
IIRC Norm, they are hunting around for a replacement to the Berretta 9mm now, going back to a *gasp* .45!!!
"Pathetic humans! Prepare to write down the recipe!"--- Morbo
They tried, but failed. That is for another thread though.
Submitted by Norm on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 1:35pm.Anti-American Pentagon
Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Sun, 03/09/2008 - 4:47pm.Attempt at sarcasm?
Submitted by DJW on Sun, 03/09/2008 - 5:57pm.sarcasm, yes and no
Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Sun, 03/09/2008 - 6:43pm.Bert, How is it that we go
Submitted by NWarty on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 8:47am.Bert, How is it that we go from talking about the Boeing/Northrup-Grumman aircraft tanker deal to suddenly about Bush/Rumsfield and the Iraq war?
I get the impression that we could be talking about fuzzy kittens and the minute you pop in, it turns into an anti-war thread.
I suggest we stay on course there Mr. Docent.
Boeing
Submitted by CIAGuy on Mon, 03/10/2008 - 7:34am.did a pretty good job of outsourcing a bunch of the work on the 787, committed some ethical violations during the first tanker deal and now they are whining.
That said, I don't think it's a good idea to send this kind of work out of the country. The final say is up to Congress.