[GeronL]

It was bad when Clinton did it,... but its OKAY when Bush does it.

Give technology to China illegally. So what?? we'll just change the law.

cha-ching, Boeing gives money to THE PARTY.

[endthematrix]

Yep. Rumsfeld sees wrongdoing in Boeing tanker talks while Bush budget request aids Boeing, Northrop LOL!

[Jack of all Trades]

No it's not OK in either case. IMHO, it's far better to have this moved through the State Department rather than Commerce. At least in this situation there's public exposure, and an attempt at making public policy. This gives armchair quarterbacks like you and me a chance to kibitz. Back in the Clinton days, it looked like fire sale. Anyone who objected was branded a whack job and a Clinton hater. I doubt that the public knows 1/10th of what got transfered to China in the 90's.

Some of the items that were transfered had a bit more of a direct military application. An example that sticks out in my mind is the combination of a smart satellite dispenser, explodig bolts, and rocket preparation and launch know-how. Bingo - reliable, multi-stage ICBMs with MIRV capability.

IMHO, selling advanced technology to China now is like selling steel to Japan in the 30's, unless that technology is somehow compromised. In this case, how do we know that there isn't a Return_To_Sender option added?

[americanbychoice]

well, what do you think are the parts inside the Airbus?
I guess we should just tell them to purchase Airbus Industry planes that have the same chips?

[Ben Ficklin]

Its unfortunate that you cannot discern the difference between the decision being made by the State Dept and the Commerce Dept.