[dfwgator]

Socialism ruins the economy, so what is the answer to the French? More socialism, of course.

[Paleo Conservative]

If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.

[the anti-liberal]

I will not knowingly put my life into the hands unfirable pilots flying a contraption built by socialism. Nor will I allow anyone I love to.

[RegulatorCountry]

What sort of first world country goes into a tailspin because an aircraft manufacturer is having problems? It would never dawn on this bunch of rigid, socialist bureaucrats that perhaps the forced stasis of their policies has led to a dangerous lack of diversification in their economy, would it?

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

What was it that Gerhard Schroeder said, that the A380 represented "the best scientific tradition of good 'old Europe.'"

I'm trying hard not to gloat...

[Rosemont]

No problem. Just bring in the Algerians.

[Flash Bazbeaux]

"The aerospace business, at the level occupied by Airbus and Boeing, is mind-bogglingly complex, "

I worked in the aerospace business for eight years, and I never heard it referred to as "mind bogglingly complex." On the other hand, I can see how it could be made to be mind bogglingly complex, if one's goal was to make it so.

[econjack]

Problems with Airbus may be the least of their problems.

[TimSkalaBim]

On the bright side, the Muslims will inherit a crappy, unbuildable airplane.

[Stallone]

I haven't even thought of acquiring French goods since their most recent backstabbing and sabotage of American foreign policy, and I know most Freepers detest the weasels too.

My guess is boycotts of French goods is a significant component, and if so, Glory Be to God!

[keepitreal]

Another thing ruining the French economy: the 35 hour workweek:

PARIS (Reuters) - Why have French baguettes become more expensive? Because of France's shorter work week, French Finance Minister Thierry Breton said on Tuesday.

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=2006-11-15T025324Z_01_L14746103_RTRIDST_0_OUKOE-UK-FRANCE-BAGUETTE.XML&WTmodLoc=NewsArt-C2-NextArticle-1

[Tamar1973]

The fact that the Airbus was 2 yrs late has absolutely nothing to do with the 35 hour work week. Non! (/sarcasm)

[x_plus_one]

Villepin promised $103 million in government loans and guarantees for Airbus suppliers

Last spring there was a news report that France had to borrow money for the first time to pay for government bureacracy payrolls. Now they borrow to pay vendors for defunct contracts for canceled sales of Airbus.

What next will France borrow money for? Welfare hush money for the islamics?

[AlaskaErik]

Inevitably, the national interests of great nations are at stake in the fate of companies and even products.

All right, what does this have to do with France?

[AlaskaErik]

Inevitably, the national interests of great nations are at stake in the fate of companies and even products.

All right, what does this have to do with France?

[WildWeasel]

Comical at best. An airplane is not going to drag down the French economy to this extent. The socialists cant' see it but their 35 hour work weeks and high taxes are the drain on an economy, not the delay in a plane being built.

[McGavin999]

LOL, so the French taxpayers are going to finance their own unemployment by sending money to Russia and China?

[sphinx]

The French understand intuitively that dependence on outsiders for key production inputs must be avoided. It compromises the strategic independence they prize.

This for an airplane that is being built for sale almost entirely to "outsiders."

[Pukin Dog]

The A-380 will be cancelled by next summer, when Singapore and Emirates cancel their orders.

[Fzob]

"Sadly we're seeing a pause in growth but this should inspire us to yet more grit and determination," he said yesterday.