03 August 2008
Gee, Here's a Surprise, "Lax Oversight" on LCS Costs
So, the Navy has discovered that the second Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), now $300 million over budget and one year late, did not have effective oversight on costs, or on schedule, it would appear.
The Flying Car is Just Around the Corner
Just as it has always been since the end of WWII.
This version, from Terrafugia, uses folding wings.
Look at the pictures though. I don't think that it flies. It's just so fugly that it repels the ground:
This version, from Terrafugia, uses folding wings.
Look at the pictures though. I don't think that it flies. It's just so fugly that it repels the ground:
DDG-1000 Political Battle Lines Drawn
At first, it seemed fairly straightforward, with friends of the DDG-1000 fighting it out with friends of the DDG-51, though it is complicated because, even the Navy doesn't want any more, Admiral Mike Mullen, who is chairman of the JCS, spent a lot of time defending it, and the policy direction, to Congress.
Well, John Murtha just made everything a lot more complex. He's proposing that instead of putting the money in either destroyer, that the money be put into an LPD-17 amphibious warfare ship, two T-AKE auxiliary dry cargo dock carriers, and long lead items for the next Virginia class submarine.
Thing is, Murtha is probably right. The surface combatant fleet, destroyers basically, is the youngest part of the fleet, and the old ships that need to be replaced are amphibious warefare craft and support ships, and the Submarines are the only survivable combatants in a surface engagement with a peer power (which is at least 20 years away), and are useful at surveillance and things like inserting SEAL teams.
Well, John Murtha just made everything a lot more complex. He's proposing that instead of putting the money in either destroyer, that the money be put into an LPD-17 amphibious warfare ship, two T-AKE auxiliary dry cargo dock carriers, and long lead items for the next Virginia class submarine.
Thing is, Murtha is probably right. The surface combatant fleet, destroyers basically, is the youngest part of the fleet, and the old ships that need to be replaced are amphibious warefare craft and support ships, and the Submarines are the only survivable combatants in a surface engagement with a peer power (which is at least 20 years away), and are useful at surveillance and things like inserting SEAL teams.
I Want My Jetpack
Only $100,000.00, and it's supposed to have about an hour's endurance (see also here).
It sounds a lot like a lawn mower, and based on the video (see below) I think that the flight controls are not ready for prime time.
Additionally, it probably needs some refinement....It has a 200 hp engine, as compared to the 178 hp engine used in the original Bell Model 47, (The chopper you see carrying wounded in the opening credits for the M*A*S*H TV series), so my guess is that there is a some aerodynamic refinement that could be done, in addition to getting weight out of the system.
Still, it comes with its own ballistic recovery parachute, a must for the ham-handed pilot.
It sounds a lot like a lawn mower, and based on the video (see below) I think that the flight controls are not ready for prime time.
Additionally, it probably needs some refinement....It has a 200 hp engine, as compared to the 178 hp engine used in the original Bell Model 47, (The chopper you see carrying wounded in the opening credits for the M*A*S*H TV series), so my guess is that there is a some aerodynamic refinement that could be done, in addition to getting weight out of the system.
Still, it comes with its own ballistic recovery parachute, a must for the ham-handed pilot.
Speaking of the Eclipse 400.....
The CEO and founder of Eclipse Aviation Vern Raburn has stepped down. It appears that their major backer European Technology and Investment Research Center Aviation (ETIRC) made this a condition of additional funding.
As a part of the leadership change, there is an announcement that their Eclipse 400 single engine VLJ is not a done deal.
Eclipse is not even close to approaching its intended production rate for the Eclipse 500, 4 planes a day, it's currently at less than 1, and I think that ETIRC wants to get the ducks in a row on the 500 before moving on the 400.
As a part of the leadership change, there is an announcement that their Eclipse 400 single engine VLJ is not a done deal.
Eclipse is not even close to approaching its intended production rate for the Eclipse 500, 4 planes a day, it's currently at less than 1, and I think that ETIRC wants to get the ducks in a row on the 500 before moving on the 400.
VJL Update
Hmmm....It looks like Cirrus is developing a dingle engine business jet, the SJ50, that looks an awful lot like the Eclipse 400 (previous posts here) that I discussed a couple of months ago.
It's pretty clearly a form following function thing, rather than any outright copying. There are relatively few configuration options for a single engine very light jet that the marketplace will accept.
Interestingly enough, it appears that Cirrus will sell it with a recovery chute, as it does on its piston engine models, which will be a challenge, given the higher speeds and energy involved.
First, Diamond International expects to certify its D-Jet and start deliveries some time in Q2 2009.
Seeing as how their engine supplier is not Thielert or some other new entrant, it's a Williams FJ-33-4A-19 turbofan, I would expect them to be on schedule.
Honestly, I think that the single engine VLJ is likely to be a winner in the VLJ sweepstakes, because the operating costs will be lower.
In the two jet VLG category, the Adam A700 has been rescued from bankruptcy, albeit absent the "Adam" name, as AAI, who purchased the company out of receivership, thinks that there is some bad market mojo there.
It appears to be among the most spacious of the VLJs, which may, or may not, be a function of its twin boom design.
Finally, Piper has flown it's VLJ Piperjet, which is another of the single engine VLJs, though it's somewhat larger then the D-Jet, the Eclipse 400, and Cirrus Jet.
It appears larger than its single engine competitors, but it just doesn't look right. Something just looks wrong about the aircraft, but then again, so did the F-4 Phantom.
It's pretty clearly a form following function thing, rather than any outright copying. There are relatively few configuration options for a single engine very light jet that the marketplace will accept.
Interestingly enough, it appears that Cirrus will sell it with a recovery chute, as it does on its piston engine models, which will be a challenge, given the higher speeds and energy involved.
First, Diamond International expects to certify its D-Jet and start deliveries some time in Q2 2009.
Seeing as how their engine supplier is not Thielert or some other new entrant, it's a Williams FJ-33-4A-19 turbofan, I would expect them to be on schedule.
Honestly, I think that the single engine VLJ is likely to be a winner in the VLJ sweepstakes, because the operating costs will be lower.
In the two jet VLG category, the Adam A700 has been rescued from bankruptcy, albeit absent the "Adam" name, as AAI, who purchased the company out of receivership, thinks that there is some bad market mojo there.
It appears to be among the most spacious of the VLJs, which may, or may not, be a function of its twin boom design.
Finally, Piper has flown it's VLJ Piperjet, which is another of the single engine VLJs, though it's somewhat larger then the D-Jet, the Eclipse 400, and Cirrus Jet.
It appears larger than its single engine competitors, but it just doesn't look right. Something just looks wrong about the aircraft, but then again, so did the F-4 Phantom.
02 August 2008
Gaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!
We have a winner in the wanker press competition, coming, not surprisingly, from the Wall Street Journal.
Writer Amy Chozick is suggesting that with much of the American public overweight, that Barack Obama might be too fit to be president!!!!
So, is Obama too skinny, or too black?
Writer Amy Chozick is suggesting that with much of the American public overweight, that Barack Obama might be too fit to be president!!!!
But in a nation in which 66% of the voting-age population is overweight and 32% is obese, could Sen. Obama's skinniness be a liability? Despite his visits to waffle houses, ice-cream parlors and greasy-spoon diners around the country, his slim physique just might have some Americans wondering whether he is truly like them.So, this is the new meme of the Kule Kidz inside the Beltway, huh? as opposed to this adulatory coverage of Bush and Rice about their "intense" exercise regimes.
So, is Obama too skinny, or too black?
So Not Shocking...JFS Cost Skyrockets
The cost of the JSF for Australia has apparently $AUS75 million to $AUS131 Million* (the Australian dollar is about $0.95 US).
It's still cheaper than the F-22, which law forbids them to get anyway, which clocks in at an eye-popping $355 million (US).*
I think that a number of nations will start considering alternatives, either US (F-15, F-16, F-18E/F) or foreign (Typhoon, Rafale, Gripen,Flanker Family), when the full cost is made known.
Additionally, I think that for non-US (and non-UK) forces the support costs may be higher because their own militaries will not be able to maintain some of the systems, as they will not be given sufficient information on the aircraft's highly integrated avionics.
But wait, there's more!!!!
Lockheed is looking to change the accounting structure in order to generate a sh$#load more costs:
*There are a number of ways to price aircraft, and I believe that both are total program cost divided by number of aircraft. I've heard quotes at about 1/2 as much for the F-22.
It's still cheaper than the F-22, which law forbids them to get anyway, which clocks in at an eye-popping $355 million (US).*
I think that a number of nations will start considering alternatives, either US (F-15, F-16, F-18E/F) or foreign (Typhoon, Rafale, Gripen,Flanker Family), when the full cost is made known.
Additionally, I think that for non-US (and non-UK) forces the support costs may be higher because their own militaries will not be able to maintain some of the systems, as they will not be given sufficient information on the aircraft's highly integrated avionics.
But wait, there's more!!!!
Lockheed is looking to change the accounting structure in order to generate a sh$#load more costs:
The JPO currently bills each of the three major F-35 contractors separately. This unique arrangement is designed partly to limit the amount of overhead feeds charged by each of the contractors, which can amount to hundreds of millions of dollars over time.So if you read anyone who says they have a handle of the actual cost of the F-35, don't believe them.
Lockheed's proposal, however, would bundle all of the industry team's charges into a single billing process for submitting to the JPO for payment.
Each charge submitted by BAE and Northrop would include a discrete fee to cover their own overhead costs. Lockheed would then add its own overhead for the aggregated bill. Since Lockheed would be charging an overhead fee on top of fees already charged by BAE and Northrop, the JPO would be paying a "fee on a fee", Wood says.
She adds that the JPO estimates the current structure has saved $850 million already, so making a change for the full-rate production phase could dramatically increase the programme's overall costs.
*There are a number of ways to price aircraft, and I believe that both are total program cost divided by number of aircraft. I've heard quotes at about 1/2 as much for the F-22.
Is There Pentagon Electronic Warfare Deficit?
Stephen Trimble is reporting that the Pentagon is concerned that its current generation of EW gear will not be able to cope with later models of Russian SAMs.
The S-300 and S-400 systems (SA-12, 20, 21, 23) have the potential even the existing ALQ-99, which is carried by dedicated jammers, the EA6B Prowler and F/A-18G Growler.
I'm not sure how much this is Pentagon budget sucking, and how much is real needs myself.
He also posted a neat Youtube (it's about an hour long) on the history of electronic warfare in the Silicon Valley:
The S-300 and S-400 systems (SA-12, 20, 21, 23) have the potential even the existing ALQ-99, which is carried by dedicated jammers, the EA6B Prowler and F/A-18G Growler.
I'm not sure how much this is Pentagon budget sucking, and how much is real needs myself.
He also posted a neat Youtube (it's about an hour long) on the history of electronic warfare in the Silicon Valley:
Those EU Regulators Have No Sense of Adventure
Emirates airlines is planning a super luxurious first class for their A-380 super-jumbos.
It includes having a shower available to first class passengers which is kind of neat, but EU regulators refused to allow them to recycle water for the shower, so now they have to carry an additional 500kg of water for the showers.
It turns out that they do allow recycling in private jets, but for a passenger airline, they were not quite ready.
BTW, I think that this bathroom is neat. If I were to walk into it, upon leaving, I would have to say, "No Mr. Bond, I expect you to die.'
It's got a wicked evil mastermind feel to it.
It includes having a shower available to first class passengers which is kind of neat, but EU regulators refused to allow them to recycle water for the shower, so now they have to carry an additional 500kg of water for the showers.
It turns out that they do allow recycling in private jets, but for a passenger airline, they were not quite ready.
BTW, I think that this bathroom is neat. If I were to walk into it, upon leaving, I would have to say, "No Mr. Bond, I expect you to die.'
It's got a wicked evil mastermind feel to it.
A New, and Plausible, Competitor in the Aviation Diesel Sweepstakes
SMA light aircraft engines sent a rep to Oshkosh to sing the praises of their new engine.
What makes it different is that it's designed to operate at 2,200 rpm, which means no reduction gearing between the engine and the prop, so the engine has a 2,000 hour TBO, and they expect to push it out to 3K hours, as compared to the gearbox on the Thielert, for example, that needed to be rebuilt/replaced every 300 hours.
It's turbocharged, and rated at 230hp for five minutes and 200hp continuous up to 10,000 feet.
It displaces 5 liters, which is larger than the 2.0 liter Thielert obviously, but my guess is that the swept volume (rpm x displacement) are probably pretty similar.
What makes it different is that it's designed to operate at 2,200 rpm, which means no reduction gearing between the engine and the prop, so the engine has a 2,000 hour TBO, and they expect to push it out to 3K hours, as compared to the gearbox on the Thielert, for example, that needed to be rebuilt/replaced every 300 hours.
It's turbocharged, and rated at 230hp for five minutes and 200hp continuous up to 10,000 feet.
It displaces 5 liters, which is larger than the 2.0 liter Thielert obviously, but my guess is that the swept volume (rpm x displacement) are probably pretty similar.
Tanker Tango: How Much Did Boeing Suck?
The former Air Force Secretary says that it's enough to say that you just want to be friends:
Wynn is strongly implying the same thing.
Former Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne thinks the service should be pitiless with losing contractors, so they’re not encouraged to endlessly protest important contracts. Excessively kind language, he said, leads the losers to think they only lost by a hair. In the KC-X tanker competition, “We should have been harsher on the loser,” Wynne said during an interview July 28.......One of the things that I've always said is that in order for the tanker contract to go to EADS, in an election year, it wasn't a close thing, which implies to me that Boeing has a significantly inferior product.
Wynn is strongly implying the same thing.
NASA Testing Real Time Wing Displacement Sensors
Seriously neat tech, it uses tiny embedded wires to measure deformation, basically strain gauges, but they are small and light enough that they can be part of an aircraft's basic equipment.
More A400M Delays
It's the Europrop International TP400-D6 engine again.
The full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) software is still being developed, and they have had issues with water ingestion tests and some indications of problems with the gearbox.
Nice to know that it's not just the US that has bloated and delayed defense procurement.
The full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) software is still being developed, and they have had issues with water ingestion tests and some indications of problems with the gearbox.
Nice to know that it's not just the US that has bloated and delayed defense procurement.
A380 Weight Looks to Come Down
As they get further down the production road, it looks like Airbus will get closer to the originally intended structure weight for the A-380.
According to Airbus and Emirates Airlines, it should add about 13 hours more endurance, and allow flights from their home base to SFO and LAX.
Additionally, Emirates is looking at pulling the retail catalogues out of the seats (!), and replacing them with a interactive channel on inflight entertainment system, which could save nearly a ton.
I think that this may make the aircraft far more competitive vs. the 747-8.
According to Airbus and Emirates Airlines, it should add about 13 hours more endurance, and allow flights from their home base to SFO and LAX.
Additionally, Emirates is looking at pulling the retail catalogues out of the seats (!), and replacing them with a interactive channel on inflight entertainment system, which could save nearly a ton.
I think that this may make the aircraft far more competitive vs. the 747-8.
01 August 2008
Bloody Fool
Obama Opens the Door to Offshore Drilling
You and your campaign just allowed yourself to be bitch slapped, again.
Let remind my readers of the "Bitch Slap Theory of Republican Politics":
It does not make you strong, it makes you look weak.
You and the Democrats lose, and McCain and the Republicans win. It's that simple.
You and your campaign just allowed yourself to be bitch slapped, again.
Let remind my readers of the "Bitch Slap Theory of Republican Politics":
One way -- perhaps the best way -- to demonstrate someone's lack of toughness or strength is to attack them and show they are either unwilling or unable to defend themselves -- thus the rough slang I used above. And that I think is a big part of what is happening here. Someone who can't or won't defend themselves certainly isn't someone you can depend upon to defend you.You just caved to a tremendously stupid idea.
It does not make you strong, it makes you look weak.
You and the Democrats lose, and McCain and the Republicans win. It's that simple.
Talk About Rebelling Against Your Parents
Yes, I know that the source is Wing Nut daily, but this story is just too amusing to pass up.
According to WND, Masab Yousuf, son of West Bank Hamas leader Sheik Hassan Yousef, has converted to Christianity, and has become a supporter of Israel:
According to WND, Masab Yousuf, son of West Bank Hamas leader Sheik Hassan Yousef, has converted to Christianity, and has become a supporter of Israel:
"I know that I'm endangering my life and am even liable to lose my father, but I hope that he'll understand this and that God will give him and my family patience and willingness to open their eyes to Jesus and to Christianity. Maybe one day I'll be able to return to Palestine and to Ramallah with Jesus, in the Kingdom of God," Masab said.Well, I guess that's how you rebel against your parents, if your parent is a rebel.
Masab said he previously aided his father with Hamas activities, but he now has affection for Israel and laments Hamas.
Hedge Funds Going Vulture
They are buying delinquent mortgages at pennies on the dollars, and if they can modify the mortgages to make a profit, good. If not, foreclose, and sell at a discount, but you still make a profit on it.
OK, these Numbers are Grim
This time, it's commercial mortgage back securities, and the default rate is about 4%, but this number is expected to quadruple if the economy slows down significantly.
Let's note that this is commercial property, the stuff that's supposed to be largely recession proof that we are talking about here:
Let's note that this is commercial property, the stuff that's supposed to be largely recession proof that we are talking about here:
Such a scenario corresponds "to the negative predictions currently offered by commercial real estate experts", analysts at Fitch wrote. This would happen if the economy suffered a similar downturn to 1991, and assumes that the value of properties covered by the deals falls by 25 per cent, and cash flow from rents by 15 per cent.These numbers are apocalyptic.
The higher defaults under such a slowdown compares with a historical default rate of 7.9 per cent, and with the milder scenario that Fitch thinks is more possible of 0.8 per cent economic growth and a 13.7 per cent rate of default.
It would cause non-investment grade bonds - B and BB rated CMBS - to suffer loss rates of 100 per cent and 95.9 per cent, respectively. Meanwhile, 30.6 per cent of the lowest-rated investment grade bonds - BBB rated - would experience losses, while loss severities would rise to 37.9 per cent from an historical average of 33.5 per cent.
The data suggest that recently issued CMBS may fall victim to inflated property values and weaker underwriting standards experienced at the height of the US property boom in 2006 and 2007, as well as the weaker economy. Those bonds make up about 49 per cent of the outstanding CMBS market of more than $800bn. The survey covers all Fitch-rated bonds issued during those two years, making up 74 deals worth $217.3bn. That was about 60 per cent of all CMBS issued during the period.
Freddie Mac Gets on the Clue Train
This is why no one in their right mind is building anything. Construction spending is down for the 11th time in 13 months.
Freddie Mac seems to have realized the gravity of the situation though. Yesterday, I wrote about their doubling the payments to servicers for loan workouts, and today we discover that they are ending bonuses for servicers who foreclose quickly.
It makes sense. When times are good, you just want the stuff off your books and resold quickly, but when times are bad, you go broke doing that.
Freddie Mac seems to have realized the gravity of the situation though. Yesterday, I wrote about their doubling the payments to servicers for loan workouts, and today we discover that they are ending bonuses for servicers who foreclose quickly.
It makes sense. When times are good, you just want the stuff off your books and resold quickly, but when times are bad, you go broke doing that.
Judge Removed from 'Jena 6' Cases
Thank goodness. Judge Mauffrey has given every indication that he had pre-judged the case.
The court of appeals has apparently had enough of him.
The court of appeals has apparently had enough of him.
Citi in Legal Trouble on Auction-Rate Securities
The SEC has subpoenaed them, and the state of New York has filed fraud charges against them.
Someone has been a very bad boy.
Someone has been a very bad boy.
Auto Maker Meltdown News
GM, Toyota, Ford, and Chrysler and Nissan took huge US sales hits, were down year over year by double digits in July, while Honda was down by about 3%, and Nissan was up by 8%.
GM got hit particularly badly, they posted a $15.5 billion loss.
GM got hit particularly badly, they posted a $15.5 billion loss.
Economics Update
Well, the official unemployment rate climbed to a 4 year high, 5.5%, and total number of jobs fell by 51K, the 7th straight monthly drop in a row, in July.
We're in a recession. Get over it.
Manufacturing actually did a bit better than expected in July, it was flat, though much of that was military and exports driven by a weak dollar, but I'll take what I can get.
In the monoliner insurance follies, we have good news for AMBAC, they paid Citigroup $850 million to get out of a $1.4 billion guarantee on some collateralized debt obligations (CDO).
It's being reported as good news for AMBAC, which says something about the qualities of said CDOs.
As bad as the job news was, it was better than expected, so the dollar strengthened in international trading.
In energy, the employment report drove oil up too, though retail gasoline is back below $3.90/gallon. Woo hoo!!
We're in a recession. Get over it.
Manufacturing actually did a bit better than expected in July, it was flat, though much of that was military and exports driven by a weak dollar, but I'll take what I can get.
In the monoliner insurance follies, we have good news for AMBAC, they paid Citigroup $850 million to get out of a $1.4 billion guarantee on some collateralized debt obligations (CDO).
It's being reported as good news for AMBAC, which says something about the qualities of said CDOs.
As bad as the job news was, it was better than expected, so the dollar strengthened in international trading.
In energy, the employment report drove oil up too, though retail gasoline is back below $3.90/gallon. Woo hoo!!
Zimbabwe Update
Well, we now have a report that Zimbabwe: Robert Mugabe offered Morgan Tsvangirai the vice presidency, a position with no powers, in negotiations....What I expected.
It's no surprise then that there are reports that the negotiations are deadlocked, though talks are supposed Zimbabwe's crisis talks to resume Sunday.
One interesting development is that Botswana is threatening to boycott of the summit of the next Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit if Mugabe is allowed to attend, which indicates, I think, some level of dissatisfaction with Thabo Mbeki's mediation efforts.
An unfortunate development is that Mugabe is considering stopping a court action on disputed parliamentary seats:
One final note, they have dropped 10 zeros off the currency, meaning that a 10 billion Zimbabwean dollar is now 1 new Zimbabwean dollar, to deal with inflation, but with inflation running at something like 15,000,000%, it will not help for long.
This may finally be what takes Mugabe and his cronies down.
It's no surprise then that there are reports that the negotiations are deadlocked, though talks are supposed Zimbabwe's crisis talks to resume Sunday.
One interesting development is that Botswana is threatening to boycott of the summit of the next Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit if Mugabe is allowed to attend, which indicates, I think, some level of dissatisfaction with Thabo Mbeki's mediation efforts.
An unfortunate development is that Mugabe is considering stopping a court action on disputed parliamentary seats:
Fearing an imminent court defeat that would further increase MDC's parliamentary majority Robert Mugabe's military junta is considering a law forbidding the courts to invalidate his defeated Zanu (PF) party's victories in 60 constituencies facing legal challenges, official sources say.These are not the actions of a man, or a party, willing to negotiate in good faith.
The MDC is challenging the results of the March 29 elections in 60 constituencies, where they say electoral fraud, violence and intimidation of voters compromised the returns.
One final note, they have dropped 10 zeros off the currency, meaning that a 10 billion Zimbabwean dollar is now 1 new Zimbabwean dollar, to deal with inflation, but with inflation running at something like 15,000,000%, it will not help for long.
This may finally be what takes Mugabe and his cronies down.
McCain's Campaign Co-Chair Tied to Corrupt Lobbyist
Stephen Payne, who was caught on tape selling access to the White House, and tied to McCain's senior foreign policy guy, has now also been tied to his campaign co-chair, and major fund raiser, Fred Zeidman.
He was a senior member of, Payne's efforts lobbying on behalf of corrupt autocratic oil rich regimes.
Another day, another bit of Republican slime.
He was a senior member of, Payne's efforts lobbying on behalf of corrupt autocratic oil rich regimes.
Another day, another bit of Republican slime.
Military Stonewalling on Rape
This is a serious problem, but ordering your top official on sexual abuse to ignore a Congressional subpoena only makes it look like you are trying to cover up the problem....because you ARE covering up the problem.
The only real question is whether this is a systemic problem with the military, or an artifact of the military being broken by Iraq.
Still the statistics, 41% of female veterans saying that they have been raped and an 8% prosecution rate, are mind boggling if only half accurate.
The only real question is whether this is a systemic problem with the military, or an artifact of the military being broken by Iraq.
Still the statistics, 41% of female veterans saying that they have been raped and an 8% prosecution rate, are mind boggling if only half accurate.
Trust GOP to Favor the Forces of Evil, Comcast Edition
The FCC took a vote to order Comcast to stop throttling internet applications.
What is interesting is the pressure that Republicans put on FCC chairman Kevin Martin to vote for Comcast having the right to throttle applications.
Here is a question for you, "Are the Republicans f%$#ing insane?!?!?"
Seriously, I can think of no entity in American life more universally loathed than the cable companies, and the Republicans were going on record supporting these folks?
What is interesting is the pressure that Republicans put on FCC chairman Kevin Martin to vote for Comcast having the right to throttle applications.
Here is a question for you, "Are the Republicans f%$#ing insane?!?!?"
Seriously, I can think of no entity in American life more universally loathed than the cable companies, and the Republicans were going on record supporting these folks?
Karadzic: Holbrooke Promised No War Crimes Trial
Between a Karadzic and Holbrooke, I won't venture a guess on who to trust, as I've never believed that Holbrooke's casual slip about Valerie Plame was unintentional.
Holbrook could have promised this, or he could have not promised this, or he could have said it in a private moment with no intention of following through with his promise.
I don't know, but I do not trust Richard Holbrooke.
Holbrook could have promised this, or he could have not promised this, or he could have said it in a private moment with no intention of following through with his promise.
I don't know, but I do not trust Richard Holbrooke.
Our Friends in Pakistan
Well, it looks like our friends in the ISI, Pakistan's intelligence service, helped plan the bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul.
I believe that there is a serious need to reevaluate our relationship with Pakistan, and make it a bit more conditional.
I believe that there is a serious need to reevaluate our relationship with Pakistan, and make it a bit more conditional.
Ft. Detrick Scientist Targeted in Anthrax Probe, Commits Suicide
His name was Bruce Ivins, and it appears that his arrest was imminent.
More important than the possibility, and no evidence has been presented, that the Anthrax mailer has been identified is the question about who lied to the press about the presence of Bentonite in the spores.
Not only was this completely untrue, there were none in the samples, but it was used to point a finger at Iraq, which, unlike the US, used Bentonite in its bio-weapons program.
Glenn Breenwald has a rundown of how the press, ABC in particular, were used to finger Iraq for the Anthrax by mentioning non-existent Bentonite.
Who were the government sources who were lying to the press? Was Bruce Ivins one of them? Was this a part of a concerted effort to gin up support for the attack on Iraq?
More important than the possibility, and no evidence has been presented, that the Anthrax mailer has been identified is the question about who lied to the press about the presence of Bentonite in the spores.
Not only was this completely untrue, there were none in the samples, but it was used to point a finger at Iraq, which, unlike the US, used Bentonite in its bio-weapons program.
Glenn Breenwald has a rundown of how the press, ABC in particular, were used to finger Iraq for the Anthrax by mentioning non-existent Bentonite.
Who were the government sources who were lying to the press? Was Bruce Ivins one of them? Was this a part of a concerted effort to gin up support for the attack on Iraq?
Maybe the Smiler Can Share a Cell With the Shrub in the Hague
Because it is now clear that US intelligence operatives were torturing detainees at the British base of Diego Garcia.
Tony Blair, pack your toothbrush.
Tony Blair, pack your toothbrush.
McCain Loses the Wall Street Journal
We have a straight news story that calls out his hypocrisy
Then there is a columnist who literally asks, "Is John McCain Stupid?" and says that "This isn't a flip-flop. It's a sex-change operation."
And he loses Howie "Mr. Conflict of Interest" Kurtz, whose wife is a Republican consultant, when he describes McCain as having, "gone tabloid".
RACINE, Wis. -- Sen. John McCain continues to slam rival Barack Obama for wanting to raise taxes on Social Security, even as he periodically explains that he might be willing to do the same.Pretty amazing. They are actually checking out what he says.
Then there is a columnist who literally asks, "Is John McCain Stupid?" and says that "This isn't a flip-flop. It's a sex-change operation."
And he loses Howie "Mr. Conflict of Interest" Kurtz, whose wife is a Republican consultant, when he describes McCain as having, "gone tabloid".
IAEA Approves Inspection Regime with India
So now various countries' nuclear power industries have a green light to enter into business arrangements with India for civilian nuclear power.
My emotions are mixed on all this, because I don't see how this won't benefit their nuclear weapons program.
My emotions are mixed on all this, because I don't see how this won't benefit their nuclear weapons program.
On the Never Ending OOXML Wars
Well, first, and least important is the appearance on Wikileaks of a document on the fast track process which seems to imply that the fast track approval of the Microsoft® OOXML document standard was improper.
Someone with more knowledge than me needs to check it out though, it's only 2 pages.
Of more note, is that Microsoft® will natively support ODF in Office. The head of Griffin Brown, the organization nominally in charge of maintaining the ODF standard thinks that this will relegate OOXML to second place status, but I'm more inclined to believe that this is an attempt to "embrace and extend" (damage) ODF to the maximum degree possible.
Someone with more knowledge than me needs to check it out though, it's only 2 pages.
Of more note, is that Microsoft® will natively support ODF in Office. The head of Griffin Brown, the organization nominally in charge of maintaining the ODF standard thinks that this will relegate OOXML to second place status, but I'm more inclined to believe that this is an attempt to "embrace and extend" (damage) ODF to the maximum degree possible.
McCain's Brain Owned by Achmed Chalabi
This time, it's his chief foreign policy guy, Randy Scheunemann, who Achmed Chalabi, Iranian agent, corrupt banker, and general con man calls a "Close Friend."
As Lionel Beehner puts it, "What puzzles me is his long and distinguished résumé of being wrong on pretty much every major foreign policy issue of our time."
As Lionel Beehner puts it, "What puzzles me is his long and distinguished résumé of being wrong on pretty much every major foreign policy issue of our time."
Senate Chicken on Funding Bill
The Republicans, having a phony issue, the kind that they like best, that they think that they can run with, offshore drilling, have vowed to block everything until they get a vote on the issue.
Well, it looks like the Dems are calling their bluff, and daring them to block a troop funding bill which includes:
Well, it looks like the Dems are calling their bluff, and daring them to block a troop funding bill which includes:
- A 3.9% across-the-board pay raise for military personnel
- A funding increase for research into traumatic brain injury treatment
- Funding increase fortroop suicide prevention efforts
- A $26 billion for the Defense Health Program
- A $500 million for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.
