It isn't flattering to either the AF or Northrop Grumman (surprise!) but it is full of, and let me say this as delicately as possible: Crap. The same capital "C" Crap we've been hearing all along packaged not all that differently than it has been to date.
The press release that came with it is a hoot, with such horse nuggets as:
Wow. Among other transgressions, the labeling of Prime Contractor Northrop Grumman as the 'minority partner' (an absolute LIE) is STILL in fashion I see.In the report, IFPTE finds that the USAF "hit a trifecta" in awarding the contract to France-based defense contractor EADS and its minority partner Northrop Grumman -- choosing the "more expensive, less capable aircraft in a manner that undermines our free trade laws."
and
"There is growing consensus on the political left and right that the tanker decision is a poster child for the fleecing of America."
Organized Labor Uber Alles ?
So what is the motive for this 'report'? Civic mindedness?
Hardly.
Let's look at a couple of excerpts from a CBS News blurb appropriately titled "More Tanker Trash Talk " that came out yesterday warning us of the impending release of this pap:
The brainstorming session and the white paper are aimed at motivating union members to stay on top of grassroots lobbying efforts, said Paul Shearon, the union’s secretary treasurer.LOVE that last point. I guess we now know what is really important to the IFPTE leadership.....and it isn't National Defense.
and ...
Members of the union were disappointed with the outcome in the House, said Matt Biggs, legislative director for the union. At this point, they are pinning their hopes on key appropriators – Washington Democrats, Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Norm Dicks, and Kansas Republican Rep. Todd Tiahrt – to cut funding for the tanker program.
The CBS News piece closes with:
The union’s white paper is bound to rankle opponents and provide fuel for pro-Northrop blogs, providing 10 pages of arguments about why the Boeing KC-767 would have made a better replacement for the Air Force’s Eisenhower-era tanker fleetHmmm. Ya' Think?
Update! 1912 hrs Central
Not just 'pro' KC-45 blogs have noted the problems with the 'report'. Check out a point by point rundown on the IFPTE Turkey at industry analyst Scott Hamilton's website here. Thanks to Mr Hamilton for saving me a lot of time and effort of doing the same!
1 comment:
Boeing's chickens have come home to roost. It looks to me like the cat is out of the bag - the effects of the Darlene Druyun scandal will be felt by Boeing for years and years to come. In the words of some high-ranking brass I know, "Boeing is not to be trusted and utterly lacks integrity as an organization."
Perhaps worst of all is the pompousness and eliteness that some Boeing employees exhibit, particulary their recruiting team. Despite losing deal after deal, including the recent GPS III in which they were knocked down and out by Lockheed, recruiting representatives are still saying "Boeing is great."
I've pulled at least 20 of their top-talent team members out of there in the last 12 months, and trust me, they welcome my call. Working for Boeing today is like being on a sinking ship, and regardless what the PR machine produces, their internal employees know it.
Newsflash: Boeing hasn't been great in 10 years. The only way Boeing competes is through unethical clowns like Darlene Druyun and Michael Sears.
Go Boeing!!!!
Post a Comment