The American Spectator

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11.22.02 @ 12:01AM

(Page 3 of 4)

If you can ever get close enough to an El Al airliner (good luck) you'll notice under-wing pods between the jet engines on each wing. Only Norm Mineta would think these are extra fuel tanks. In reality, these are (in all probability) chaff and flare dispensers (in English language terms = radar and heat seeking missile counter-measures) to ensure all El Al flights make it to their intended destinations.

Rather than a BOHICA (bend over -- here it comes again) incident with our jet passenger fleet -- these counter-measure pods would go a long way in getting those of us who know back on airplanes for fun and profit. In the meanwhile -- the airline industry continues to be the deer in Norm Mineta's bureaucratic headlights and Chapter 11 is now an option in the business plan of most of our airline companies.
-- Mike Horn
LTC, Military Intelligence
U.S. Army Reserve, retired

Jed Babbin replies:: Col. Horn is right on the money. And even without chaff/flares, we can protect civilian aircraft quickly with a system called TAD/IRCM -- tactical air defense, infrared countermeasures. It would cost about $2 million per aircraft. Necessary? Absolutely. Available? Right bloody now. On the way? Not hardly. Isn't it time to fire Norm Mineta before the current SNAFU becomes a BOHICA? Best, Jed.

OUTFOXED
Re: George Neumayr's What Ailes the Times:

Thank You, George! Loved your article. What is literally driving folks like me to Fox, your site and many other online outlets is precisely the arrogance of the New York Times and all the rest of the driveling liberalcasts. These people do not, cannot and will not ever see themselves for what they are -- insipid, self-serving snobs who truly believe their wisdom exceeds God Almighty. The Pharisees of the modern world, they are angry with the rest of us who understand our soul's final destination. It's my daily pleasure to seek out truthful venues of "news and culture," aware there are many such as you, who defend this precious American commodity called freedom and liberty. Bring on the leftist propaganda and we will continue to shine the light of truth on their lies and distortions. God bless America and pass the ammunition! And, may Roger Ailes live many long years sockin' it to 'em..... :-)
-- Barbara Haugen
Cedar City, UT

I'm getting sick of listening to the left-wing liberals whine and complain that Fox News is "conservatively biased." This sentiment is even espoused by other conservatives such as Andrew Sullivan.

Why is reporting the news without editorializing it considered "conservative bias"? Is it "conservative bias" when the discussion panel has more than one conservative on it (à la Brit Hume's Special Report)? The New York Times and CNN think objectivity is having five bleeding heart liberal panelist to one moderate Republican like David Gergen.

And if all of Fox News watchers are religious, gun-owning, white males, then explain the tons of e-mail Bill O'Reilly gets from people that think he's too conservative or too liberal? Obviously, Fox News has a broader audience.

As usual with liberals, they are again acting like children. No one comes to their parties anymore because no one likes them. But being spoiled children they blame it on the fact the new cool kid has a pool. So would somebody build them a pool so they can then swim and cry alone? Because even with a pool, we don't like them!

Oh -- not treating its readers and viewers like total morons helps Fox News too!
-- Greg Barnard
Franklin, TN

I have thought (for a good number of years) the N.Y. Times should have changed their slogan to: "all the news (we see as) fit to print."

Unfortunately, the new leader seems to be dragging it further to the left. Aren't the lefties into any part of truth anymore?
-- G. Manuchia

MEDS SCHOOL
Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.'s Jack and the Black Cats:

You muse, "Precisely what this Black Cat News Story is supposed to achieve seems vague," and in the next thought, suggest the answer. All such black cat news stories must be viewed with a Clintonian perspective. The prime objective is diversion.

Don't you remember the Clinton testimony tape? The Clinton menials in the media announced, as they had been instructed, that Clinton had lost his temper during secret testimony. When the tape was actually played, it allowed the media to focus not on what Clinton had said, but on the fact that he didn't really lose his temper.

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