Another one is biting the dust

Borders bookstore has basically run out of cash, even though it make money last quarter.

Amazon and Barns & Nobel are likely to be quietly celebrating or rather celebrating behind closed doors at the fall of their rival.

California Politicians - make us proud /s

State Sen. Carole Migden has agreed to pay a record $350,000 in fines for 89 violations of state campaign finance laws that include using political funds for personal benefit and failing to disclose what her political committees purchased with credit cards, according to documents released Tuesday.

It only took until the second paragraph for the LA Times to say which party Migden belongs too, which is amazing since she is a Democrat. Of course the story is buried on page 2 of section B instead of front page above the fold. If Migden had been a Republican, that is where the story would have been.


Politicians wonder why we their BOSSES think they are bozos and shouldn't be trusted with anything. Well with behavior like this it only confirms the worst of what we think of them.

Sweeden a Cold War Ally?

Sweden may start competing with the US in the area of fighter sales to Norway and other potential JSF customers. Will the US allow that, given much of the technology in the Swedish fighters comes from the US? And if the US doesn't allow Sweden to sell its airplanes against the JSF, what will that do for US-Sweden relations?

Economics can have an important impact on defense policy.

Say it isn't so . . . . the end of the F-117

The Air Force will retire the last of the F-117s in Nevada next month.

The plane first flew in 1981 and entered service in 1983. The plane is young compared to our F-15s, F-16s, A-10s, B-52s, AWACs, KC-135 and a contemporary of the KC-10, B-1 and FA-18.

The F-22 is supposed to replace the F-117, but I do not think it can carry the same bomb load.

The AF is retiring the plane early to free up money for more F-22s, F-35s and new tankers.

Now I know I'm getting old when airplanes that were the cutting edge when fielded (I was a Jr in High School in 83) are being retired.

Its starting

Britain's armed forces are sending pilotless "robot" strike aircraft into battle for the first time, allowing controllers sitting at a computer outside Las Vegas to drop guided bombs on the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The "Reaper" unmanned aerial vehicle marks a major watershed for the Royal Air Force and has been rushed into service after senior defence chiefs identified it as a vital weapon in the fight against Taliban insurgents.

The only thing I have to say is when will they be armed with lasers (phasers would be even better) and can we use them to knock off more trouble makers in the world?

They Said if Bush was Reelected, the Courts Would be Rigged...

...and they were right!

(with apologies to the Instapundit)

Oil price bubble ready to pop?

Well this blogger thinks so. I hope they are correct.

Hat tip Instapundit.