europe to build america's military planes ?

[dick benbow]

the current refuelers are Boeing planes that are 2 decades past retirerment.
I honestly think the scandal 5 years ago when a Buyer for the airforce was hired by Boeing to work on this program soured the airforce against boeing....another concern nationally is to have another region ( as you suggested working cheaper than the NW) capable of producing or in this case assembling planes in the south ( Mobile alabama) to get away from having all their peas in one pod.....

[gspotmc]

Quote: Originally Posted by dick benbow the current refuelers are Boeing planes that are 2 decades past retirerment. I honestly think the scandal 5 years ago when a Buyer for the airforce was hired by Boeing to work on this program soured the airforce against boeing....another concern nationally is to have another region ( as you suggested working cheaper than the NW) capable of producing or in this case assembling planes in the south ( Mobile alabama) to get away from having all their peas in one pod.....

Dick,
Back home their is a big scandal being investigated by the Philippine Senate RE: A BroadBand Deal between a chinese Corporation (ZTE) which will provide broadband service to the whole nation. According to the news and some sources the First Gentleman (Pres is a Woman) is involved in the scheme to make at least $120 M on the side (I'm not sure about the Exact amount) including his dogs. It's sad but it's true. Personal interest comes first before country.
Michael

[PapaBear]

Look around the elections that have taken place over the past 2 years in the EU. U.S. friendly governments have been elected recently in several places for the first time in decades (even France of all places). Our "new friends" get rewards negotiated behind the scenes that have nothing to do with "lowest bid" and everything to do with diplomacy.
Truth be told it would scare the living shit out of most of us if we knew the diplomatic and national security issues that make some of our decisions for us. In some ways it is the same as when the Stealth Bombers were "unveiled" to the world. They had been in the air and mission ready long before then, but their "unveiling" didn't take place until the next generation replacement aircraft was already flying... We haven't seen them yet, and we wont until their replacements are in service...

[Brutuscz]

Definitely pisses me off!!! I live near Sikorsky aircraft in Ct...Many of my patients have worked there for years. It's always frustrating to see them take a hit. These types of things should be done here. But..since this idiot of a president has done nothing about outsourcing..it is not surprising. It takes a lot of hard work to take a surplus, and the best economy in 30+ years....turn it into a defecit and give us the worst economy is 30+years!!! If you don't believe me....try and put your house on the market now, and compete with all the forclosures!!! Just terrible. I don't care if the democrats put Mr. Magoo up for president...he's got my vote!!!! It would be impossible to do a worse job than the republicans have done...simply shameful!!!

[PapaBear]

Please Brutucz, NEVER say nobody could possibly be worse! It has a bad habit of proving us wrong almost every time... Dems or Repubs, it don't matter. 3rd in line for the Presidency right freaking now is Nancy Pelosi, who doesn't have the brains god gave a goose, and the party you are praying for PUT HER THERE ON PURPOSE!
There are 3 things I have come to wish the founders had chiseled in granite.
1 Professional Politicians should be against the law.
2 Attorneys should NEVER be allowed to run for high office or write laws.
3 IQ tests should be required before you are allowed to vote... or run for office

[dick benbow]

hence the wisdom of our founders...no such think as professional politician. You were what you were and you served as called and then went back to being part of the fabric of the land....

[Brian]

Quote: Originally Posted by dick benbow hence the wisdom of our founders...no such think as professional politician. You were what you were and you served as called and then went back to being part of the fabric of the land....

Yes, sadly there is no Cincinnatus in our time.

[Brutuscz]

..An IQ test...now THAT would be wonderful!!! I'm sure bush could score a gentleman's 70

[PapaBear]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brutuscz ..An IQ test...now THAT would be wonderful!!! I'm sure bush could score a gentleman's 70

with Kerry, Gore, and Pelosi trailing slightly behind... (He had a higher GPA than any of them)

[RogerL]

It's all too easy to blame the politicians! The US military made the choice. General Arthur Lichte is quoted as saying:

"From my perspective, I can sum it up in one word, 'more'. More passengers, more cargo, more fuel to off-load, more patients that we can carry, more availability, more flexibility and more dependability"

Sounds as if it may be a better product!!

Also, the winning prime contractor was Northrop Gruman - a US company! - they are assembling in the US on an Airbus frame.