House awards military contract to the French

WyethWire.com ^ | 5/20/2003 | Wyethwire

[hghghghg]

DeMint Announces $1.88 Million Defense Authorization for Michelin Upstate Facility

WASHINGTON - U.S Representative Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) today announced that the House Defense Authorization bill contains nearly $2 million for a Michelin facility in the upstate area to assemble tires for the Marine Corps' Land Attack Vehicles.

The House is scheduled to pass the annual Defense Authorization bill later this week and the funding is expected to be formally appropriated later this year.

[1rudeboy]

Welcome to FR. A flawless post. Been here before?

[Texaggie79]

So, let me get this straight. The blog is the original source for the article?

[1rudeboy]

Not just any blog, but the Official Weblog for the SC Democratic Primary. Should we nuke this guy, or let him play for a while?

[xJones]

You linked to a rather strange website, not exactly rational, hghghghg.

[hghghghg]

Here's Michelin bragging about another military contract.

The United States Military’s Tank Auto Command (TACOM) has awarded South Carolina-based Michelin North America a four-year contract to supply 125,000 16.00R20 XZL all terrain radial tires for tactical wheeled vehicles.

[Eva]

You know, I'm not sure that we should boycott French companies with factories in the US, anyway. Mikasa was on the boycott list, even though they were a long time US company which was bought out by the French a year ago. The company was headquartered in NJ, but they bought their products worldwide. Most of their distribution was US, and all their employees. The store near us is closing in June and we can't afford to lose another store.

[hghghghg]

The Marines use their Michelin tires to feed starving peoples and support other humanitarian missions throughout the world. Marines in a LAV-25 escort a convoy of civilian workers delivering food to starving residents near Baidoa during Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. From this Michelin promo site.

[1rudeboy]

I don't buy Chinese products because of China's human-rights violations. But apart from human-rights considerations, folks should buy the best product available. My opinion, naturally . . . but what's better, a BMW built in South Carolina or a Ford built in Mexico? You can tie yourself in knots trying to figure-out what's better for America.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Washington State-the France of the north west. We can afford to lose everything French and everything Washington State, and probably be much better off without either. Just my personal opinion of course.

[dalereed]

Starbation is a natural occurance that keeps the population within the means of supporting itself, we should butt out and let nature take it's course if said population won't produce enough goods to buy food or raise it themselves.

I learned as a child 60 years ago, feed a starving indian and you will get 2 starving indians.

[katz]

Michelin tires have always served me well. Let them have the little contracts!

[Mike Darancette]

The Marines use their Michelin tires to feed starving peoples and support other humanitarian missions throughout the world.

Winnie Mandela of South Africa uses Michelin tires in her Native Outreach Program.

[putupon]

Michelin tires have always served me well.

Michelin has to be one of France's most profitable companies. One the best quality products ever produced by our friends in France. This has been proven by their many loyal (to Michelin) American customers who have sent lots of American dollars to fund France's anti-American agenda. Chirac, Saddam Hussein, and God knows who else appreciate your business. Ride With French Pride on Michelin.

[JustAnAmerican]

"Michelin tires have always served me well. Let them have the little contracts!

The difference between you and I is, when I went to my local tire store for tires just recently,I insisted my tires be Goodyear and let the management know that I would not except Michelin or BF Goodrich because they were French owned companies. He then preceded to tell me that Goodyears would have to be special ordered and that It would be easier and cheaper if I just purchased BF or Michelin.

After a few choice words from me, and a few of the customers nearby joining in, he decided it was in his best interests to sell me Goodyear. You on the other hand would have bought Michelin thus giving more money to a people who would gladly stab you in the back every chance they got. And none of the customers would have been any the wiser. Not only did I make my point,several customers now refuse to buy Michelin or BF goodrich.See to me country means more then $$$$$ or convenience.

[CSM]

"I don't buy Chinese products because of China's human-rights violations. But apart from human-rights considerations, folks should buy the best product available. My opinion, naturally . . . but what's better, a BMW built in South Carolina or a Ford built in Mexico? You can tie yourself in knots trying to figure-out what's better for America."

I generally use the standard of "Where do the profits go?" If the profits go to another country vs. the US then I generally try to choose a the US. Of course this is very general and assumes that the products are equal and the choice boils down to this issue. With regards to France or Germany I will buy an inferior product that is more expensive before buying a product produced by a French or German owned company.

[Rodney King]

You know, I'm not sure that we should boycott French companies with factories in the US, anyway. Mikasa was on the boycott list, even though they were a long time US company which was bought out by the French a year ago. The company was headquartered in NJ, but they bought their products worldwide. Most of their distribution was US, and all their employees.

If Michelin goes out of business, then the slack will be picked up by Firestone and Goodyear. There should be no net loss of American jobs.

[Tunehead54]

If Michelin goes out of business, then the slack will be picked up by Firestone and Goodyear. There should be no net loss of American jobs.

---

Both Goodyear and Firestone have had significant tread separation issues with signs of coverup rather than "fixing" the problem. BTW I'd stay away from "Toyo" tires too.

I've always gotten full mileage out of Michelins and feel that when it comes to the safety of my family that "America first" comes second when it comes to boycotts.

I'm doing my part by cutting out french brie, champagne, cognac, travel and maybe my wife's favorite perfume - but she's already stocked up so right now that's not a factor. ;-)

[1rudeboy]

You lasted less than a day. [sigh]

[Rodney King]

Fair enough, I just meant that in general we shouldn't buy into the argument that by boycotting French companies we will cost Americans jobs. The capacity will remain, it's just a question of who owns it. If an American company can utilize a tire plant more profitably then I French one, then those assets will ultimatley be owned by Americans.

[ffusco]

BFD

[putupon]

BFD

Buying French is for Dipshiites

[OPS4]

France is self destructing, while the eastern europeans are gaining strength by allying with the United Staes and Nato.

Washington State will have no significance in the outcome.

OPs4 God BLess America!

[talleyman]

My wife has had good results with Firestone. As for me, I'm thinking about Dunlops now. (I'm not sure about ownership of General Tire.)

[Stone Mountain]

BTW I'd stay away from "Toyo" tires too.

What's wrong with Toyo tires? Didn't Japan support our efforts in Iraq?

[Stone Mountain]

Sorry - my bad - I see that you were referring to safety issues, not boycott issues. Sorry about that...

[Tunehead54]

My wife has had good results with Firestone. As for me, I'm thinking about Dunlops now.

---

I am not a tire expert but I read papers all over the world (Thanks for inventing the internet, Al!). Firestone and Goodyear? have had years of catastrophic tread separation failures most associated with SUVs (heavy) and southern (hot) areas resulting in hundreds if not thousands of deaths.

Firestone, I've read, ignored failure reports and was happy to keep selling the same tire design until forced to recall millions of tires.

Given that track record, I'll stick with Michelin. Search for "tread separation" on the 'net and see what you find. I know there's a another company that had Firestone-like problems but it may not be Goodyear - hence the "?" after Goodyear.

A quick search will give you a hint about the extent of the problem. Even Michelin is being sued but its a subsidiary, Uinroyal (cheaper), tire involved. Cough up a few more bucks for the important stuff. Trust me. ;-) Yes I have no Michelin stock but do me a favor? Have a coke!

Tread Separation & Dunlop Google Search

[wjcsux]

Gave up on Michelin tires because I didn't want to help the Frogs. I bought a new set of Dunlop tires for my Mustang a few months back. They are just as good as Michelin's and are a British company with a manufacturing plant in the U.S.

[Tunehead54]

What's wrong with Toyo tires? Didn't Japan support our efforts in Iraq?

---

Since you asked ...

Iraq not involved. We got a '93 Previa in 1995 from CarMax and it came with new Toyos all the way around. Over the next three years the sidewalls would "bubble" in places and so I'd buy a single to replace the bad one. I can check but I know we replaced at least 4 with bubbles - separate from treadwar replacements.

On the way back from a trip to Eisneyworld or some such in Orlando (8 pm ish) doing 75 in the fast lane we started to hear a funny "hmmmmmmmmm", my wife and I look at each other, I scan the gauges and BANG! the left rear goes just like that with incredible noise as the tire tears off the rim.

Naturally I stomped hard on the brakes - NOT! For those who may not know that's a good way to spin out and roll - not good.

Let off the gas, blinking right, wife screaming, anybody letting me cross? Nah! Still we made it to the E-lane and that was that. Five Michelins please.

BTW - two strange things - we'd gotten across right at an on-ramp and we'd stopped with the emergency lights on and I was getting everyone out and away from the van.

Just then a Mustang pulls in in front of the van and a guy starts getting out. I'm at the back of the van and a white van's driving right at me DOWN THE EMERGENCY LANE and I'm waving him off when he stops just before I'm ready to dive down the embankment.

We were "sandwhiched" and a lot of bad things went through my head but ... the van behind were spanish speaking - Donde esta 75S - I told them and the guy up front was a mechanic on his 1st anniversary with the wife and he changed our tire and wouldn't take a dime. All I did was hold the light and hand him stuff. This was St. Patrick's day. In his honor, I picked up a big 'ol bottle of Old Bushmill's before we got to our "dry on Sunday" county. Home sweet home! Thank you Lord!

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Wyeth. Why does that name on FR sound familair?

[RedBloodedAmerican]

You LEFT out the part about Bush and Cheney stealing all the oil.

[F.J. Mitchell]

France has been eating too many questionable mushrooms. A pretty good variety probably grows naturally in Washington state's climate as well.

[Stone Mountain]

Wow... glad you survived! Eisneyworld - lol! : )

[putupon]

Dunlop tires

I'll keep them in mind. I have to buy two before the 31st for my Ranger to pass inspection. I used to buy Generals/Contienentals but they are owned by the Sourkrauts.

The Axis did do like Dubya told them to today though, didn't they?

Maybe I'll let the Krauts off the boycott list if they behave themselves for a year or two.

The Frogs can forget it though.

[Tunehead54]

Wow... glad you survived! Eisneyworld - lol! : )

---

Thanks. With heavy traffic and knowing we're peeling off pounds of rubber bouncing down the road behind us as we signal right with A$$holes blowing by and making it extremely difficult to get across five lanes I do recall thinking uhh ... nevermind --- I only wish I had a way to thank the good Samaritan that helped us out.

My only consolation is that whenever I find someing lost I turn it in to "the authorities" and I try to help people out and about whenever I can. ;-)

[Tunehead54]

Do no adjust your set! Just changing taglines.

---