America Doesn’t Need European Corruption

Replacing the KC-135 Boeing StratoTanker


One of the biggest scandals and acts of corruption on an international basis showed itself over the past couple of years when the United States issued bids to replace our aging fleet of aircraft, the KC-135 Boeing StratoTanker used to refuel other aircraft while in flight, initially acquired during the Eisenhower Administration back in the late 1950s. Wikipedia states “since there are over 500 KC-135s, these aircraft will be replaced gradually, with the first batch of about 100 aircraft to be replaced in the current buy. The effort to replace the KC-135 has been marked by intense controversy.”

A contract was awarded to Northrup – Grumman, makers of the famous (infamous) Airbus. When Boeing, the other bidder filed an official protest the award was rescinded and the tankers were not purchased. Details can be found online. Needless to say, the controversy still swirls around this lucrative procurement. Many conservative voices say that with our spiraling unemployment rate and the failure of the Obama Administration to stop its upward trend, we should award the contract to a domestic supplier. One of the biggest and most forceful arguments against the company that won the last bidding, Northrup – Grumman, is its co-partner European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, more commonly known as EADS, which has been cited in numerous instances as being rampantly corrupt. A quick search of the Internet will verify that claim. But here in this country there has been stealth-like competition being discussed and dissected by, as you might have already guessed, the conservatives and the liberals; mostly in the halls of Congress. One Kansas Congressman named Todd Tiahrt, a Republican makes the point that we “should not be forced to finance corrupt companies. Even more so, we should not be outsourcing our vital national security tools, such as the tanker, to corrupt foreign companies.” And I whole-heartedly agree with the gentleman from Kansas. I did a rather quick search of the Internet and found dozens of reports of corruption placed at EADS’ doorstep if not right in their living room. This company not only has a huge number of fraud allegations pointing to them, but a significant number of other proven cases. Representative Tiahrt blames it on “our obscure corruption laws and outrageous government policy when it comes to foreign competitors, the United States not only gives EADS a pass on its corrupt practices, but extends special benefits not even American companies receive.” Now that just never should happen. Oh, I know this Obama Administration is all for going overboard to make our foreign friends happy if not outrageously wealthy, but with conditions as bad as they are in this country, mostly due to his anti-American sentiments palavered all over the universe, we should show a little; no, A LOT of preference to domestic employers that hire domestic citizens and not illegal aliens. Of course, the liberal, anti-American Democrats in our Congress are most likely in lock step with, as the HumanEvents.com article written by Rep. Tiahrt on January 14, 2010 states, “Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, who has signaled that he is giving serious consideration to a proposal that would split the lucrative contract to build the Air Force's next fleet of aerial refueling tankers between the two rivals vying for the work.” Another totally outrageous thing that should never be allowed. But, guess who is in agreement with that farcical suggestion? None other than the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John Murtha, D-Pa., another one of the slipperiest and most deceitful human beings in our midst. He and his Subcommittee Chairman Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, have argued that “splitting the contract would quell political and industry opposition on the hotly contested program. Under their plan, the contractor with the best proposal would receive more orders for planes.” “Holy Cow” as Phil Rizutto would say, what’s wrong with these guys? Do they trust the EADS group to suddenly become honest and bid properly and even if they do, how much corruption will they pay out this time? Murtha, a self-made millionaire (and we all know how he “made” it) is trying to bank against losing his next congressional race that he nearly did lose in ’08. This note from the HumanEvents.com article is worth repeating here:
“EADS is linked to bribery scandals in Canada, Belgium, Syria, Austria, India, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. Many other allegations have been made but quietly swept away. These bribes, in addition to known illegal subsidies, undercut American companies and have cost thousands of American jobs. We have seen this with The Lockheed Corporation and McDonald Douglas -- both forced out of the commercial jet business.”
Liberal Democrats are trying hard to help Obama in his quest to destroy America and its Constitution in order for U. N. One World’ers and Islamists can walk right in and complete the takeover of the United States that has already begun. Wake up Congress! Don’t sell your souls for dollars that will probably be worthless when our country goes belly up. Tell the Administration that an American aircraft company MUST get the Strato Tanker contract.

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Jerry McConnell——

Gerald A. “Jerry” McConnell, 92, of Hampton, died Sunday, February 19, 2017, at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, Mass., surrounded by his loved ones. He was born May 27, 1924 in Altoona, Pa., the fifth son of the late John E. and Grace (Fletcher) McConnell.

Jerry served ten years with the US Marine Corps and participated in the landing against Japanese Army on Guadalcanal and another ten years with the US Air Force. After moving to Hampton in 1957 he started his community activities serving in many capacities.

 

He shared 72 years of marriage with his wife Betty P. (Hamilton) McConnell. In addition to his wife, family members include nieces and nephews.

 

McConnell’s e-book about Guadalcanal, “Our Survival was Open to the Gravest Doubts