Raptors and other Buzzards

The F-22 Raptor Fighter Jet stands as the Beltway enigma. Opposed by all designated Policy-makers and the Armed Forces Committee of Congress, it still continues to fly away with ever-increasing Taxpayer Dollars. The article tries to explain how the $350 million plane only costs some $130 million per plane, if maybe the Air Force could get the 750 planes it originally wanted. It has 74, is promised 183, and wants 381. Study the great abilities of the Plane: it's altitude of 60,000 feet can only be attained by using half the fuel in the tanks, Cruising Speed probably matches Top Speed (only half a tank at the altitude where such Top Speed can be attained), it's stealth technology is wonderful (it's onboard system cannot detect each other). Structural cracks are already being found in the 74 planes the Air Force has, and the extremes of altitude and Speed utilized will triple the structural crack threat; cutting the estimated life of each plane to one-third planned. I happen to agree with Dug-in Don on this one.

Robert H. Frank has an article on Consumers always wanting greater quality, with the willingness to pay for it. I would agree when it was greedy Air Force officers backed by the military/industrial complex; all expecting American Taxpayers to pay for the entire load. The first article mentions that the Senate is voting this Week on the $447 billion 2007 Defense budget. It would not be so sad, except for what is this weaponry planned? It is most definitely not for Occupational duties like in Iraq and Afghanistan. Does Anyone remember Rooster Cogburn in True Grit: Too much Gun!

OPEC goes with an informal leveling of Oil production; translated: We are going to keep pumping, but you Speculators are supposed to run the Oil price up. Why is it a administration, composed of Oil Executives and Contractors whose major business is Service industries to Oil companies, cannot get Iraq (3rd largest Oil Reserves in the World) to pumping Oil again? Could it be because Oil is quoted at $63/barrel, where before it was $37/ barrel when Iraq was pumping Oil? Shame, shame--that would suggest the Corruption had seeped out of Iraq. But why is the Corruption always connected to American Corporations? No wonder We are experiencing a slowing economy.

It may be defeatist to say this, but the Management Executive performance of Oil executives seems wanting in the self-originating War on Terror. The Contracting methodology of our current Administration may do more damage than al Queda ever presented. Security procedures are still deficient, Quality Control still does not exist in the Contract arena, American Casualties are still being endured because of faulty Equipment in the only active use of military personnel, and Our enemies are reportedly growing in strength and numbers. Did I forget that the American Taxpayers are paying 40% more for this inefficiency? lgl