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That’s kinda Congresses way of doing business. There are so many bigger fish to fry. Congressional spending has been out of control for a long time. Removing this engine is not only fool hardy but meaningless in terms of addressing the real issues. It’s a diversion - and a dangerous one if we end up with engine problems with the F-135. Again, I would take that stance of the F-136 were the primary engine and the F-135 were in GE’s spot. Just not a good move.

That’s kinda Congresses way of doing business.

It doesn't matter. Fiscal Year Budgets are law. Law is different than CRs, which are votes (outside what the law states and really a budgetary gimmick) which only allow funding at current levels.

Congressional spending has been out of control for a long time.

Yes, but that is another issue. We can go back to the subject of the creation of the Federal Reserve, or the decision to talk the dollar off of the gold standard under Nixon. Or, we can discuss the mating habits of Canadian geese. The problems I pointed out in my previous post are still valid.

Unless the FY11 budget gets approved (and the supplemental gets approved that is going to be needed to pay for Libya, plus Overseas Contingency Operating (OCO) budgets that have been used for years to fund Iraq and Afghanistan - all procurement will eventually come to a screeching halt in terms of DoD spending.

Removing this engine is not only fool hardy but meaningless in terms of addressing the real issues. It’s a diversion - and a dangerous one if we end up with engine problems with the F-135. Again, I would take that stance of the F-136 were the primary engine and the F-135 were in GE’s spot. Just not a good move.

Perhaps, but now you are arguing something completely different. Hey, maybe. I am all for air power too. I am an aerospace engineer and a retired Air Force pilot.

But the argument for the extra engine is window dressing and moot if the FY11 budget never comes into existence (which some analysts have said might even be a possibility).

Congress' "stance" on the CR is gum flapping from members who get in front of the cameras. Again, CRs only allow funding at the previous FY rate. Moreover, I dislike Sec Gates. I think he is a horrible SECDEF, but his hands are tied at this point. He isn't out there rouge. If they don't approve the lawful budget, it isn't his fault what plants shut down. Period.