It’s hard to get an accurate critique of the F-35’s shortcomings from its maker, Lockheed Martin, or from its key customer, the United States Air Force. They spare no effort to gloss over problems with this worrisome warplane but, bit by bit, information does emerge. Aviation Week reports that the
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Politics and its Discontents: U.S. Military Takes Steps to Ensure There’ll Never Be Another Disaster Like the F-35
As far as the US military is concerned, the F-35 has broken the bank. With the American people on the hook for what is estimated to be up to 1.5-trillion greenbacks for a warplane, a gimmicky bomb truck, that keeps failing to live up to expectations, the military is determined
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: An F-35 Update From The Mound Of Sound
The Mound of Sound sent along this note, followed by his guest post on the F-35: I thought an update on the F-35 would be appropriate after reading Bill Sweetman’s latest piece in Aviation Week. He writes that this warplane’s Canadian backers are desperate to convince us that we don’t
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Conservative And F-35 Myths
I have written numerous past posts both on the F-35 jets and the Minister of Incompetence who presides over the file in Canada, Peter MacKay. Despite the fact that the aircraft has had problems from almost the beginning, the myth of its superiority and the myth that it would cost
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: They Still Walk Among Us
I have always felt a deep, abiding respect and affection for people of integrity. During my career as an English teacher, I took special delight in teaching plays like Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and Robert Bolt’s Man For All Seasons, which told sories of real-life people who made the ultimate
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The MacKay Mission
I really have nothing new to add to the sad spectacle of ministerial incompetence epitomized by Defense Minister Peter MacKay, whose ongoing mission and primary responsibilibilty seems to be never admitting to error or apologizing. However, the Star’s Tim Harper does have some thoughts on the reasons for his intransigence
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A No-Cut Clause for Peter MacKay?
Readers of this blog may be aware that I am no fan of Harper Defence Minister Peter MacKay. The breadth of his ineptitude is stunning, and the concept of ministerial responsibility seems foreign both to him and his boss. Countless times he has proven to be an embarrassment, not only
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Peter MacKay Does Enjoy The Largess of The Public Purse, Doesn’t He?
WHEN I GROW UP, I WANNA FLY A BIG JET! It seems that Peter MacKay, the Defence Minister for our self- and inaccurately-proclaimed fiscal stewards, the Conservatives, does enjoy the generosity of Canadian taxpayers, but at least he is versatile in exploiting that resource. Not content to use it only
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Government’s Three Wise Men?
I thought you might enjoy this editorial cartoon courtesy of The Hamilton Spectator: Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Sad Tale of the Bumbling, Prevaricating Defense Minister Continues
I was feeling just a tad depressed today until I read this story. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Would You Buy A Used Car From This Man?
The above question, first asked about Richard Nixon as he ran against John Kennedy in the 1960 Presidential race, was designed to underscore the seemingly untrustworthy nature of the candidate – his shifty, evasive gaze, heavy perspiration, and his 5 o’clock shadow all seemed to suggest a man hiding something.
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Linda McQuaig on Harper Austerity
In case you missed it, today’s Star has Linda McQuaig’s latest column in which she opines on the Harper austerity program, juxtaposing the P.M.’s insistence that we live in challenging fiscal times and thus must cut spending with his government’s apparently cavalier attitude about the extra $10 billion that they
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: More Fabrications from MacKay
The Indefensible Defense Minister, Peter MacKay, continues to insult the intelligence of all thinking Canadians. As one who has followed the F-35 jet issue somewhat closely for the past year, I am astounded by his latest contemptible ‘explanation‘ that he says proves there was no intention on the part of
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: And Because I Hold Harper In Such Contempt ….
I thought I would share today’s Star editorial cartoon. Enjoy: Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The F-35 Debacle: Will There Be Fallout?
Not counting this post, in the past year I have written nine times on the F-35 jet controversy. I point this out, not to claim any particular perspicacity on the subject, (many others have written much more and in much greater detail than I have) but only to demonstrate how
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: F-35 Lies From The Department of National Defence
Much to my surprise, the National Post has been doing a good job lately in covering Conservative misdeeds. While the Canadian taxpayer has been subjected to so many falsehoods and a great deal of subterfuge about the true cost of the F-35 jets over the past year-and-a half, The Post’s
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: An Epochal Moment in Toryland
While there has been a long and sustained objection to Canada’s planned purchase of F-35 jets, today marks the first time that the Harper regime has, even for a moment, taken its head out of the clouds. Associate Defence Minister Julian (the dour and humourless) Fantino has raised the possibility
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Latest On The F-35
While the militaristic Canadian Conservative regime, led by flyboy fan Steve and aggressively supported by his Defence Minister, the dishonourable member from Central Nova, continue to champion the acquisition of the F-35 as Canada’s next big toy, it is apparent to almost all who keep themselves informed that the plane
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Another Bald-Faced Lie From The Defense Minister
Not that he has any credibility left, but Minister of Defense Peter McKay has told yet another whopper, this one at the Conference of Defence Association’s annual meeting. Recommend this Post
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