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Missile Defense

Technology has always found its greatest consumer in a nation's war and defense efforts. Since the last attempts at a "Star Wars" defense system, has technology changed considerably enough to make the latest Missile Defense initiatives more successful? Can such an application of science be successful? Is a militarized space inevitable, necessary or impossible?

idenbade - 02:35pm Dec 27, 2001 EST (#10548 of 10657)

Enron Pays Dems, Hires Clinton Lawyer

Failed energy giant Enron Corp. has hired the attorney who represented Bill Clinton against sexual harassment victim Paula Jones, and a week before filing for bankruptcy protection the company gave $100,000 to the Democrats, the Associated Press reported today.

"Donations of this type reflect certain political realities which are followed by all major corporations," lawyer Robert Bennett huffed today in explaining Enron's $50,000 checks on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Republicans and Democrats alike have blasted Enron fat cats for living on cream while burning stockholders, tossing thousands of people out of work and trashing retirement accounts.

Bennett is shocked - shocked - that anyone might see a connection between congressional inquiries and the payments - oops, donations.

"It is very unfair to draw any improper motive based on these contributions," he bristled. "While the money was given in November, a large portion of it had been committed as far back as September."

Since 1989, Enron has made nearly $5.8 million in campaign contributions, 73 percent to Republicans, AP said.

The Dems claim they won't keep the latest $100,000, but they're being vague about where it will go. Tovah Ravitz-Meehan, a mouthpiece for the Democrats' Senate fund-raising committee, said the head of the group, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., wants Enron's money to be given to a charity - so far not specified - helping canned Enron workers.

"It wasn't right to keep it, and it wasn't right to give it back to Enron, so we're looking for charitable options," Ravitz-Meehan insisted.

Seeing as how Bennett is involved, perhaps some of the money should go to a fund helping the many women who have been sexually assaulted by a certain morals-free ex-president.

idenbade - 02:36pm Dec 27, 2001 EST (#10549 of 10657)

Bush Is Most Admired Man in Gallup Poll's History

Here's something to drive the leftist media elites crazy: Americans admire President Bush the most of any man since the Gallup Poll began asking in 1948.

When the USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll asked respondents to name the living man they admired most, 39 percent chose Bush. Last year, Pope John Paul II and then-president Bill Clinton tied for first place with a mere 6 percent.

"Typically, the president wins, but the president doesn't usually dominate. That's why this 39 percent is unusual," said Frank Newport, editor in chief of The Gallup Poll.

Bush's successful war on terrorism is responsible for his popularity, Newport said in today's edition of USA Today. "You've got a president who, in this time of crisis, has rallied the country. This is the classic rally effect."

Stephen Hess, a presidential scholar at the Brookings Institution, thinks "quite remarkable" numbers are more than a mere rally effect. If the poll, conducted in mid-December, "had been taken on Sept. 12th, you could in a sense dismiss it. It would be a rally-round-the-flag issue. But when it is taken three months later, it factors in performance as well as symbolism."

Should Senate plurality leader Tom Daschle and his fellow obstructionist Democrats worry?

"George W. Bush has the bully pulpit, and ... this is a huge vote of confidence for the way he has used it," Hess said.

First lady Laura Bush was the most admired woman, with 12 percent. Her predecessor, Sen. Hillary Clinton, trailed in second at 8 percent.

The previous record for men was set by John Kennedy, who received 32 percent in 1961, the end of his first year as president. The overall record was set in 1963, when Jacqueline Kennedy received 60 percent the month after her husband was assassinated.

mazza9 - 03:00pm Dec 27, 2001 EST (#10550 of 10657)
Louis Mazza

lchic:

I had been in my job about six months when I noticed an opportunity for a change in tactics. Mind you, I was a "ground pounder" that was making a suggestion for a change in flying tactics. The Chief of Operations Plans liked the idea and asked me to "write up" my proposal. It was forwarded all the way to Hq SAC where it was adopted.

Interestingly, I received a commendation that was classified. My boss, the Communications Squadron Commanderwho didn't have the security clearance to even see my work, let alone the commendation.

I attended the next 15th Air Force Operations Plans Meeting at March AFB in California. I remember that the General in charge introduced me to the rest of the planners and noted that my input had saved $Millions of dollars in assets and more importantly hundreds of aircrew members! Yes, need to know is a means of compartmentalizing but it doesn't prevent review and improvement.

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