I know, and that is why so many were against this "tax rebate stimulus" crapola. We're going to do nothing but stimulate China a little bit more. Oh well. Democracy at its finest.........:o

I think if the US government ever went on record and said they were there to secure our oil supply we'd be under heavy pressure from the east to get the %$#@ outta there. My guess is China is already extremely nervous.

ewrbasedpilot,
Back away from the keyboard, I will too. We are starting to agree <g>

Yes, the cost of our middle east involvement is enormous (financially AND lives lost) but I have to disagree with you about 'free' oil. I'll chalk up your statement to an emotionally charged one, which you alluded to anyway. Our consumption warrants prices where they're at, and going against what analysts thought a few years ago - hasn't slowed down even with people paying $3/gal. to fill up their vehicle. It's America - we will sacrifice personal spending in other discretionary areas rather than be forced to downsize that SUV or drive a hybrid vehicle. Personally, I believe that the current generation that is about to retire will be known as one of the most selfish in history. They have failed the rest of us and allowed our infrastructure to suffer so badly that we have no choice but to drive most places. God forbid we have to ride the bus. Yikes! But hey, at least we ordered more airplanes right? :)

You're right about that.............. I think this is going to blow up sooner or later and when it does, watch out! It's kind of like Clements saying he didn't use steroids when everyone in the world knows he did. Sometimes the truth hurts..........but it'll come out eventually. :eek:

Okay, but the withdrawal is gonna be pretty difficult..........:p

Not to drift too far off topic here, but I don't believe it is a housing market problem - it is a mortgage problem problem. Specifically it is people who had no business borrowing large amounts of money in the sub-prime market in order to purchase a home they could never afford. The falling values and increased foreclosures of homes is the direct result of the sub-prime mess, and the sub-prime mess is the direct result of irresponsible lenders lending money to irresponsible borrowers. i.e., akin to giving matches to a kid. But I digress. :)

I make more as a seventh year first officer than most senior captains at the legacies. Is that right or wrong, good or bad? It is indifferent and the product of the forces of the free market. Same thing with their ex-CEO. As long as he did not earn it in an illegal or unethical manner, I don't see what the big deal is.

He was rewarded for doing what any CEO is hired to do - successfully run the company. Contrast that with the typical airline CEO who seems like they are rewarded for just the opposite - bankrupt the airline and earn your keep. I do have issues with that.

Who am I to complain about what anybody earns? Is it right that an actor can earn millions for making a career out of playing pretend? How about the guy making $25.00/hr pushing a broom at the local auto plant? Again, they are enjoying the fruits of their earning power based on what the market is willing to pay them.

A person has two choices in life. Either they can remain status quo and judge anybody wealthier than they; or, learn from those who are very wealthy and try to emulate their financial behavior. I chose the second option.

And they are FUEL EFFICIENT too!!! :D

Off track: were those 777's going to be ordered anyway or is this just a byproduct of the ongoing delays to our 787 deliveries? I haven't heard anything about it in ages and last time Kellner spoke he had only indicated "2 or 3 additional 777s" in the cards.

I'll call Larry and find out.;)