[spetznaz]

Interesting article. Even more interesting when meshed with the other things that China is doing ...for example initiating a rather ambitious submarine crew training regimen, or for that matter certain training exercises whereby they had MLRS missile systems on Cargo ships and would practice firing them en masse (I have some pics of that, although the question is why would anyone need to train on the use of MLRS systems on cargo ships ....unless ofcourse it was to practice a stratagem whereby cargo ships could be used as one-use first-strike platforms against harbor targets). Anyways, enjoy.

[spetznaz]

Ping.

[Semper Paratus]

And Clinton's cash is being wired to him in Hong Dollars today

[Josh in PA]

Thanks Bill!! My what a great President..

[kezekiel]

So, I'm reading about this new "Chinese" destroyer, and I keep seeing "Italian", "French", and "Russian".

Does anybody ask, when their taking the P.O.s from the Chinese whether--I dunno, maybe--this might not be the best thing to do for their national interest?

[doug from upland]

This is so worrisome.

[aegiscg47]

They are certainly doing their best to create a "blue water" navy, including stealing technology, purchasing systems, and a pretty hefty financial investment. While some of these vessels are impressive, it takes a generation to develop an ocean going force and to be able to use operational level tactics. Also, I still think that they have no answer to our Virginia and Seawolf class subs.

I still think that their best chance of success is a quick strike at Taiwan that coincides with a lot of threats to cause casualties to American and Japanese forces. Unless properly framed, the Democrats, mainstream media, and most people have no stomach for fighting China. They could win by forfeit on our part.

[swarthyguy]

Reviewer: Dr. Frank Stech (Glenndale, MD USA) - See all my reviews

From 1940 to 1943 nine German surface raiders effectively used deception against both merchantmen and warships. These disguised auxiliary cruisers sank or captured 140 ships (including the cruiser HMAS Sydney), totaling over one million tons, and greatly disrupted British and American shipping in the South Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans The Kriegsmarine's surface commerce raiders of WW II were elaborations of the raiders of the Great War (such as Emden).... Far more effective were the deceptive commerce raiders, converted from fast banana boats of 3,000 to 9,000 tons, masquerading as merchant or passenger ships, and luring other surface vessels into gun or torpedo range for capture or sinking. While the Royal Navy kept the German battlewagons bottled up, the commerce raiders consistently slipped the British blockade. Once loose, they proved deadlier than U-boats.

[JSteff]

Are they going to name any of their new aegis type ships the "PLAN Clinton"? I mean they should honor the traitor who ensured that they jumped 10 years ahead in their technology.

[Paul Ross]

Bump.

[joesnuffy]

Yep...so lets sell our American refineries to the Chi Coms
we all ready gave them OUR canal...and allowed them to build
the largest container port and cargo airport in the world
in our back yard...

[Spktyr]

Two words: Carrier escorts.

[cp124]

Friday, July 8, 2005

Union workers decry BIW hiring proposal
By MARK PETERS, Portland Press Herald Writer
Copyright © 2005 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.


BATH — Bath Iron Works' plan to replace 24 union workers with a private contractor drew hundreds of shipyard employees, labor leaders and Gov. John Baldacci to a rally Thursday in the shadow of the ship builder's cranes. The rally came as the company and its largest labor union agreed to open discussions on the outsourcing plan.

A bulletin from BIW President Dugan Shipway that circulated companywide this week said he will put off for three months plans to lay off the maintenance and janitorial workers and have a private contractor do their work.

Instead, BIW officials and union leaders will spend the coming weeks discussing how to find an estimated $700,000 in cost savings without having to use outside workers.

"Dugan (Shipway), choose. Are we going to build ships, or are we going to fight?" said Mike Keenan, president of 3,850-member local S6 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

The rally and the attention of both labor and elected leaders show the issue is about more than 24 jobs. It involves the potential for more outsourcing at the shipyard, the overall future of one of the state's largest employers and ongoing relations between labor and management at BIW.

Union leaders fear that if BIW management can contract with Massachusetts-based UNICCO for maintenance work, then the shipyard could go further and hire other companies to do welding or painting. Speakers at the rally described this kind of outsourcing as a major threat to well-paying union jobs.

"Everyone realizes we are the stepping stone," said Rodney Wright, a maintenance worker at BIW who would be laid off if the company goes with a private contractor.

Wright has a son on his way to college and a daughter in high school. The prospect of being out of work after 24 years at BIW is daunting. The question his family asks most days when he gets home is whether there was any news at work.

But as union officials look to preserve jobs that pay an average of $19.07 an hour plus benefits, BIW management is scouring its operations in search of greater efficiency.

The Navy is considering major changes that could put BIW in an all-or-nothing competition with Mississippi-based Ingalls Shipyard to build the next generation of ships. If approved, efficiency could be a critical factor in the awarding of bids.

Workers say they want the shipyard to be competitive, but eliminating the maintenance and janitorial jobs will not result in greater efficiency. Keenan said the union will present Shipway with a list of $700,000 in proposed savings as alternatives to outsourcing.

After the rally, Baldacci said that he attended it to make sure both sides continue to work toward an agreement. The governor told the crowd that BIW's decision to wait three months is a first step.

"It is important that we don't allow . . . circumstances to continue to unravel," Baldacci said. "It is my responsibility to keep the parties talking together and working together. They're going to be resolving it amongst themselves."

The union has blamed the dispute on Shipway, who took over leadership of the shipyard two years ago. He was singled out on signs reading "Who's Next - Dugan??," and in speeches and calls from the crowd of workers.

House Speaker John Richardson, a Brunswick Democrat, said BIW leaders should not allow a relatively small amount of jobs and money to break down several years of good relationships between labor and management.

The issue in the coming days is expected to shift from the street in front of BIW to a negotiating table. BIW officials declined to comment Thursday on negotiations over the outsourcing issue, but Keenan said he was optimistic the matter could be dealt with in a week.

The union plans to assert that outsourcing is off the table and that the company needs to look elsewhere to find savings, Keenan said. If not, workers plan to picket the shipyard later this month when a destroyer is christened.

Staff Writer Mark Peters can be contacted at 791-6325 or at:

mpeters@pressherald.com

[TheBattman]

And another Thank You to Bill Clinton for being so generious with his sharing of our technology with the Chi-Coms.

Indeed his legacy lives on.

[ncountylee]

the ships feature Aegis-type phased array panels, vertical launch systems, long-range missiles and considerable command and control.

Clinton knows nothing I would guess.

[CAP811]

Future fish habitat.

[Fee]

China's Navy (Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)) has one slight problem, its chain of command reports to the Army. That is different from our organization which the Navy has high ranking Admirals equal to the Army's generals. Our Navy will develop their own doctrines subordinate to joint services needs. Chinese admirals build their navy subordinate to their Army's needs. The way I see it, China's navy is built to support their Army's needs to invade Taiwan. Question is what happens to the fleet after they take back Taiwan. If China wants to build a true blue seas navy, they must make their navy independent from their Army, otherwise they lose in the defense budget fights with the Army projects. That will be the first sign that China will build a blue seas navy to challenge US power in the Pacific.

[LRS]

The People’s Liberation Army Navy of the People's Republic of China: from the Abacus Room to the Computer Room in one easy presidency...

[skinkinthegrass]

Thanks...Agree, a very interesting Article.

[phoenix_004]

China is rapidly expanding its submarine force to about 85 by 2010, about one-third more than today.They want to become the dominant power in the western Pacific, to displace the United States.China is embarking on a $10 billion submarine acquisition and upgrade program and is buying destroyers and frigates and equipping them with modern antiship cruise missiles.They’re purchasing a great deal of relatively modern equipment from Russia.China, which has become the world’s third largest shipbuilder, has produced about 100 amphibious ships, and four tank landing ships are under construction.
By assisting in upgrading China’s weapons system, Israel violated its commitment not to transfer U.S. technology to China without Washington’s permission. Israel is China’s second-largest arms supplier, after Russia.Israel surreptitiously aids chicom military to the detriment of america.
Chinese spies are all around America, especially Washington, D.C. The PLAN has stolen all kinds of equipment from America. The FBI and CIA know this. It is an open secret.
Trade deficits fund beijing military spending Two times over.trade deficit (the largest bilateral imbalance on the planet) is enough to fund the Communists’ real defense budget more than twice.The Chinese military is using our money to buy weapons -- submarines, ICBMs and fighter jets.
Thank you Mr. Clintoon!!!Thank you!!!!!!

[BlackjackPershing]

Thank you, Billary, for selling out our country.