"N.E. legislators support Navy destroyer project
New England members of Congress are banding together to protect a new Navy destroyer program that promises jobs in the region but could be on the chopping block.
Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, and Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, along with some House colleagues, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates urging him to support full funding of the DDG-1000 destroyer in the president's budget.
The new destroyer would be built at the Bath Iron Works in Maine and a second shipyard in Mississippi, while contractors in Rhode Island and elsewhere would supply components.
--more--"FLASHBACK:
"PORTLAND, Maine - The two shipyards building the Navy's next-generation destroyer held private ceremonies this week signaling the start of construction, but the future remains cloudy for the stealthy warship that doubled in price long before shipbuilders began bending steel.
Yeah, we can ALWAYS COVER WAR-LOOTERS COST OVER-RUNS -- but SCREW YOU and your HOMES, HEALTH, and KIDS, Amurka!!!!!
Funding has been allocated for the DDG-1000 Zumwalt that's being built at General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works in Maine and for a second ship at Northrop Grumman's shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. But funding for a third ship is still in question, and the future is also uncertain for the Navy's long-term plans for future destroyer purchases vital to keeping the two Navy shipbuilders busy.
Deep cuts to the Navy's six major shipyards, which employ 54,000 workers, could fly in the face of President Barack Obama's economic goals. Already, there's a lobbying effort afoot to spare the Air Force F-22 Raptor program, which supporters say provides 95,000 American jobs....
Yeah, let's see HOW MUCH TAXPAYER MONEY we can WASTE on an EMPIRE built on LIES!!!!! Let's all WORSHIP the WAR MACHINE!!
Officially, the ships are supposed to cost roughly double the $1.3 billion price of a Burke destroyer. But estimates for the first two ships now run as high as $5 billion....
Five BILLION APIECE? Can BANKRUPT AmeriKa AFFORD THAT?
The American Shipbuilding Association contends more money must be allocated to shipbuilding if the Navy is to reach its goal of a 313-ship fleet....
To FIGHT WHO, exactly? Somali pirates?
--more--"
