Friday, July 18, 2008

POLITICS - U.S. Air Force Priorities

"Counterterrorism funds for 'Comfort capsules'? " by Joe Sudbay

Okay, this does make one wonder about the priorities of the leadership of the United States Air Force. A new term for your lexicon -- "comfort capsules":

  • The Air Force's top leadership sought for three years to spend counterterrorism funds on "comfort capsules" to be installed on military planes that ferry senior officers and civilian leaders around the world, with at least four top generals involved in design details such as the color of the capsules' carpet and leather chairs, according to internal e-mails and budget documents.


  • Production of the first capsule -- consisting of two sealed rooms that can fit into the fuselage of a large military aircraft -- has already begun.


  • Air Force officials say the government needs the new capsules to ensure that leaders can talk, work and rest comfortably in the air. But the top brass's preoccupation with creating new luxury in wartime has alienated lower-ranking Air Force officers familiar with the effort, as well as congressional staff members and a nonprofit group that calls the program a waste of money.


  • Air Force documents spell out how each of the capsules is to be "aesthetically pleasing and furnished to reflect the rank of the senior leaders using the capsule," with beds, a couch, a table, a 37-inch flat-screen monitor with stereo speakers, and a full-length mirror.


Trying to figure out how "aesthetically pleasing" and "37-inch flat screens monitors with stereo speakers" and "full-length mirrors" help in the fight against terror.

What do you expect. Did you note the "digs" for the top generals of WWII? Look at what the U.S. President flies around in. After all, our top leaders just cannot be allowed to use the same facilities as the peons. Especially if it's the peons who pay for it.

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