Why Boeing is Imploding–Spinney, Sprey, & Reality vs Political Engineering & Government Spec Cost Plus

Below are three separate contributions:  Spinney on Sprey; Sprey on Boeing; and Seattle Times on Boeing. CHUCK SPINNEY SOUNDS OFF President Obama says that restoring America’s competitiveness is one of his top priorities.  Yet under his watch, deindustrialization, financialization, and globalization continue without interruption.  Many advocates of defense spending argue that spinoffs from the Pentagon’s …

1961-2011: 50 Years of The Military-Industrial Complex

It’s a good think Ike is dead… else he would realize his nightmare survived.  Chuck Newsday January 13, 2011 Pg. 34 The Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex Eisenhower warned against the influence of arms production, but did we listen? By Bob Keeler EXTRACT:  Now, the deficit has caused some unexpected voices to say, ever so softly, that everything …

Journal: Pentagon’s Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) as a Metaphor for a Predictable Defense Meltdown

The recent publication of the 2010 QDR reveals once again, in typically leaden and mind-numbing prose, how the Pentagon is incapable of coming to grips with the mismatches among strategy, programs, and resources that its decision makers create for themselves, even when budgets are at the highest levels since the end of WWII.  The F-35 …

PACOM Week in Review Ending 22 Nov 09

Hot Topics CN: China’s Cyberwars 11/19/09 CN: AP NewsBreak: China holds, mistreats US geologist 11/19/09 CN: China legislator seeks to criminalise banquets: report 11/21/09 ID: Indonesian president issues order to publicly expose high-profile bank scam 11/23/09 IN: Security still lacking one year after Mumbai attacks 11/21/09 KP: Defector tells of life in North Korean army …

Journal: Chuck Spinney on Al Qaeda Message, Two Comments on CIA and Al Qaeda

First, a link to the translated Al Qaeda message. Then Chuck Spinney’s commentary on the rmessage (there is no assurance it is actually from Bin Laden, who may be long dead).   Finally, a Phi Beta Iota comment that will outrage the lame of mind and resonate with every average American. Bin Ladin Says US Should …