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Sep
09

Come Back Home to Mobile

It is no secret to the people of Mobile, Alabama that winning the coveted Air Force tanker contract would mean a huge amount to the economic prosperity of the city, both now and for future generations.  Winning the tanker contract is exactly what EADS, the parent company of Airbus, plans to do.  However, there is stiff competition between EADS, Boeing Co. and US Aerospace Corp. for the contract and all three of these parties know exactly how big the victory would be for their prospective sides.

If EADS is successful in winning the contract, they plan to assemble the KC-45 tankers at a $700 million factory that would supply about 1,500 jobs to the hardworking people of Mobile.  This type of facility could rival the facilities that Boeing has assembled in the Pacific Northwest and could really reinvigorate the economy of the Gulf Coast area, especially after being hit hard by Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill.  The decision on which company wins the contract will be finalized on November 12, 2010, a date that will award one of these worthy companies one the biggest defense deals ever in US history.

While there really is no indication of which company will win, few people can argue that the Gulf Coast region could use an economic stimulus more than most other areas of the US.  With the decision coming in a little over two months, the people of Mobile wait anxiously to see if their city may become the economic hub that region so badly needs.

Sep
02

How Far Will EADS Go To Win the Air Force Tanker Contract?

For the past few years there has been a huge Air Force tanker contact up for grabs. This extremely lucrative contract is worth $35 billion to the lucky contract winner. The competition has been ferocious between two companies in pursuit of this contract, American Boeing and European consortium EADS (the parent company of Airbus). This contract has actually been awarded twice already, once to each company. Each time the awarding of the contract was nullified and negotiations renewed. The Air Force has repeatedly stated that the contract will be awarded this fall (2010); many pundits feel that the contract will be awarded immediately following mid-term elections.

Boeing is an American company. If Boeing is awarded the contract the 179 planes will be assembled in the state of Washington at their Everett plant and finish work will be done in Kansas. Should the contract be awarded to EADS (European Aeronautic Defense & Space Company), the finish work would be done in Mobile, Alabama.

EADS may be taking on an American partner heading into the final stretch. When EADS submitted their bid they did so without an American partner even though many American companies have worked on the EADS’ tanker plan. According to Reuters’ news service, L-3 Communications is a leading candidate to team up with EADS. L-3 Communications has confirmed that it is willing to partner with EADS, also according to Reuters.  EADS may be willing to take on an American partner if it will increase its chances of landing the gargantuan $35 billion tanker contract.  Only time will tell which party will win the contract and which region of the US will prosper from the job opportunities that this contract will surely bring with it.

Mar
04

She’s an Alabama News Anchor!

It is so exciting when you can turn on the news and see a friendly face. Almost all of us can remember the local news anchors that gave us the news each night while we sat with our families on the couch after dinner. I have a couple favorites that I remember from my childhood. But now there is a face on the news that I will never forget and that is my sister.

That’s right! My sister just got a job as an anchor on a local Alabama news channel. We are all so excited for her and are looking forward to watching her read the news every night. Right now she is still working as a reporter for a different Alabama news station, but it won’t be long before she starts her new job as an anchor. I really hope that she does a good job and gets along well in her job. The people who do the news now are okay, but it would be so neat to say that my sister works for the news station as an anchor

It is funny because my father used to kid her that she would always be stuck with the boring reporting jobs like interviewing clowns when the circus was in town. He never thought she would get a job as prestigious as being an anchor. I think he is probably more proud of her than anyone else right now. I just can’t wait to see her sit behind that news desk and tell us the news of the day!

Jan
30

Our Family Vacation to Alabama

We finally decided where we are going to go on our family vacation and it’s Alabama! We had a few different destinations in mind, but ultimately decided that everyone in the family would have fun on a trip to Alabama. My husband is not yet convinced it will be exciting enough for him, but I know that we can find plenty of things for the whole family to do that will keep him from getting bored.

The kids are really excited because not only are we going on vacation, but we will also be able to see some family members that they have not met yet. I have a great aunt that lives in Alabama who I have not seen in years. She has lived there for most of her life and used to travel to see us when I was a child. Now she is pretty much homebound, so I know she will enjoy having visitors.

I am so glad that we decided months in advance where we would go this summer because now I have time to plan everything. I love that I can just go online and find resources to help me plan as well. There are so many sites that offer suggestions for tourist attractions as well as family fun activities to do while in Alabama. I like reading the reviews from other travelers on things like hotels as well. It is hard to tell just from a hotel’s website if it will be a quality place to stay on vacation and I want our trip to Alabama to the memorable yet.

Aug
24

Thug Life Leads to Prison Life

Today in Birmingham, Alabama, police announced four men suspected of some involvement in the Birmingham shooting earlier in the month. The shooting happened in Dolomite around 6:30 pm.

Police were called out due to reports of shots fired. When the police arrived on the scene the victim had be shot in the face.

The three of the four men arrested have had their names in the headlines before. Pierre Smith, twenty years old. Smith is acquitted of capital murder and attempted murder back in 2008. He was 16 then, faced with mandatory life behind bars without parole. Smith was released before his 18th birthday. Smith has told news reporters when he is released he plans to spend time with his family and wants to talk to youth about the dangers of thug life. He wants to warn them that living a fast life you die young or end up in the prison system.

Brothers Marquis and Markell Bell were questioned but not charged in the murders of five Ensley men earlier this year. The forth one charged is Destony Bowers.

The four men when on location opened fire on the victim. A relative of the victim returned fire hitting one of the men in the foot. He was treated and released to police.

Marquis Bell also has records for carrying a concealed weapon. Also records for marijuana possession and is waiting trial for an unrelated attempted murder charge. Markell has been charged with robbery in an unrelated case.

Records reveal that Bowers has arrested for possession and receiving controlled substances. Smith and the bell brothers are still in custody with a $60,000 bond set for each one of them.

May
18

Alabama Debates Immigration Policies

Alabama has once again become a part of the news thanks to its immigration laws. The legislators recently voted to keep the law and the governor is not happy about it. Neither are the thousands of protestors who are fighting actively against this legislation. The law requires that the state disclose information and publish it regarding every illegal immigrant who appears in any court in the state of Alabama.

Most citizens of Alabama agree with the law in general, but activists from across the country have begun to discuss their distaste for the law. Many believe that the law is unconstitutional. Even people within the government at the Justice department have taken to making this argument.

Now, the governor has even begun to speak out against the law. Immigration is a hot topic issue that keeps people arguing on opposite sides. Many believe that these immigrants need to be treated with all the rights of a normal US citizen.

The governor is not arguing to abolish the law itself. He is hoping to change different segments of the bill. The part of the bill that he is trying to change is the one that was most recently added by the passing of the legislation just last week.

The governor continues to speak out and hopes to get something accomplished within the next few months. This sort of progressive movement is designed to help him win votes in the reelection. Not only that but the constitution protects the rights of the illegal immigrants. They have some rights that cannot be taken away from them. The governor will hopefully be able to make the change and save Alabama.

Mar
02

3 Reasons to Plan a Trip to Alabama

If you’ve never been to Alabama, you need to think about booking your vacation to the state right away. You won’t believe all the fun things you can do in Alabama. Here are just three of your Alabama vacation options.

One of the things that make Alabama such a great family vacation destination is water. If you like the water, you’re going to love Alabama. If you’re vacationing with kids, you’ll want to take time to go The Wharf which is a huge, 220 acre water park that you and your family will never want to leave. If you prefer your water in a more natural setting, you can choose to spend several days playing in the ocean, or you can take advantage of inland lakes. The best state lake parks include Lake Guntersville, Lakepoint Resort, and Joe Wheeler State Park.

If you enjoy sleeping, and who doesn’t, you want to Muscle Shoals and stop in at the Pillow Factory. This is the place where all the best hotels in the world purchase their pillows. You won’t be able to believe all the different pillows you can choose from. By the time you leave, you’ll have purchased the perfect pillow for you and never have to worry about insomnia again.

Ever dreamed of prospecting for gold? You can live out your fantasy when you visit Alabama. When you visit the Alabama Gold Camp, you’ll learn how to pan for gold. You might not find many flecks of gold, but you’ll have some great laughs and get some fantastic pictures of your family. Many people list the Alabama Gold Camp as one of their favorite things about their Alabama vacation.

Dec
16

Simple Updates make Your House Feel Like Home

Home is the place where we spend the majority of our time. Many people remodel their homes to create a space that is more inspiring to them and creates a more relaxing atmosphere. By adding a few special features during a remodeling project, you can make your home a wonderful place to live and enjoy after a long, hard day. Here are a few of the top features to consider adding to your home.

First, consider installing whirlpool spas or Jacuzzis. These are not only great for entertaining but also for making your home a place of relaxation. When thinking about your home while away from it, having one of the new resistance pools or even one of the 2 person tubs would create an excitement in you to get home and stay there. Many people put hot tubs or Jacuzzis on a back deck, right next to a pool, or on a screened in porch. This allows for easy access and privacy. Hot tubs or Jacuzzis come in every price range so there is something for every style, taste, and budget. They are usually categorized by size, amount of jets, specialty features, and colors. Many people want to also use them for entertaining guests so the bigger the better. If you are on a smaller budget, corner tubs are a great option.

Another beautiful update for a home is hardwood floors. Most people are searching for homes with hardwood floors. Hardwood floors are great for allergies and if people have animals or children. They are easy to clean and cannot be ruined very easily. They come in so many shades and stains and can be designed using big planks or skinny ones. Hardwood flooring makes a room look bigger and feel cleaner and more up to date. Hardwood floors can be costly but there are different kinds that can save you some money. Also, if you can install them yourself, you will save money in labor charges, which can usually be very expensive.

Last, updated appliances can make a huge difference in the look and comfort of your home. Many kitchens are instantly transformed with the addition of new appliances. Appliances can make cabinets look old or new. By replacing them, you can instantly freshen up a kitchen and make the space feel brand new. Old appliances also use more electricity and energy so new appliances can help you lower your electric bills. These new appliances can be costly, but if you shop online, you can save a lot of money and still enjoy the appliances you originally wanted. New appliances are definitely at the top of a purchase list for any home.

Nov
24

Finding Treatment for Neuropathies

I have had diabetes for a few years now and some things really annoy me about it. The fact that I cannot enjoy a slab of chocolate cake when I want to, and the fact that I always have to watch what I eat is quite annoying but nothing is as annoying as the diabetic neuropathies that I suffer from because of this disease.

When the diabetes first started I noticed that I was having some numbness and tingling in different parts of my body. One search online and I was convinced I was dying and had every severe disease that could possibly be found online. I made an appointment with my doctor in Mobile, Alabama and immediately and went into to see her. They did a barrage of tests, blood, CAT scans and a MRI before the diabetes test came up positive. I was devastated but the doctor assured me that it was where we could treat it and I would not have to take insulin.

Unfortunately the annoying neuropathy was still there and no matter what I took it was not helping. We tried physical therapy and some nerve calming medicine but it did not work. My doctor consulted with another doctor and they decided that they wanted me to try something that was not usually used for the treatment of neuropathy and had just been tested on some people with great results.

They told me that Tramadol was what they would put me on. They told me that when I buy tramadol, I could have a pain medication that worked on the brain as well and could help calm down some of those nerves that were aggravated as well as calm down my brain hopefully decreasing the neuropathy. At that point I was willing to try anything and jumped on board at the thought of trying the Tramadol. I would buy medications for the next hundred years if they would help! They started me of on fifty milligrams to see if that would work and told me that they could increase or decrease as needed.

I went by the pharmacy and got my prescription filled. They told me to take it twice a day, once in the morning and once before I went to bed at night. I started this regime and by day two I was already feeling better. Within a week my neuropathy had gone down significantly and within a month my neuropathy was completely gone. No more tingling or numb feeling fingers or limbs. I was so amazed at how well the Tramadol worked. I have a few friends that suffered with the same problems I did and I told them about Tramadol and its wonderful effects and all my friends went to their doctors and got prescriptions too. They as well had a great experience with the alleviation of their symptoms. Tramadol works for diabetic neuropathy and I am the happy person to prove it. You can buy Ultracet, Fioricet, and other prescription drugs for neuropathy online. Many name brands like cyclobenzaprine will be much cheaper when purchased through an online pharmacy.

Nov
16

From Alabama to Florida: Make Your Next Vacation Great

Vacation is supposed to be a relaxing adventure, but it often becomes the most stressful event of the year. Besides making sure you have enough money to sustain you during the trip, you have to think about where to stay, what to eat, how to keep the kids happy, and what all you should pack. No matter where you are traveling for vacation this summer, here are some easy tips to make your next vacation great.

1. Cash In on Spare Change

If you are worried about finances, finance all of the little “extras” that pop up on vacation using spare change. Keep a huge jar in a prominent place and fill it with all of your pocket change during the year. Just before vacation, empty it out and roll the coins. When you go to the bank, you will amazed at how much money you saved without ever feeling the pinch. This can be the perfect solution for covering unexpected expenses that always seem to come up when you are away from home.

2. Keep Kids Happy With a Busy Bag

Long road trips can result in cranky kids and desperate parents. If you are going to be trapped in the car for hours on end, there is a way to preserve your sanity and keep the kids from killing each other. Prepare in advance for this long stretch of time by making a “busy bag” for each child. Fill up a small canvas tote bag with brand new toys and surprises to keep them busy on the trip. The bags don’t have to be expensive. Add little trinkets from the dollar store like new coloring books, crayons, stickers, stamps, or travel games.

Jan
10

Understanding the Process of Closing on a Home

There are many steps in the process of buying or selling a home where having a realtor on hand will be very helpful, if not necessary. Answering all of the questions a first time buyer is sure to have is just one reason to make sure your agent is one of the best realtors in madison and the surrounding area. Closing on your home is a big part of the process and you will want someone knowledgeable of the process when you decide to sell your home and start looking for new houses or Madison condos for sale.

The many aspects of buying or selling your first home can definitely be overwhelming. If you are the owner of one of the many Madison houses for sale, you will want to know what fees you will have to pay in order for your home to be sold. One fee you are sure to be charged that you will find out about when you find a realtor is the fee that they charge for their services.

Madison realtors, like real estate agents everywhere, make money when their clients buy homes as well as when they sell them. One big difference when it comes to money is that when you buy a home, you do not have to pay a real estate agent any kind of fee. Though you should know that they do get a percentage of the sale, it is not paid directly to them from you.

Since an agent working for a seller does a bit more work, they may charge the seller a fee. This is not paid at closing but before that point. This fee is to help with the cost of listing the sellers home, along with other charges that the realtor may incur to make your property as highly visible as possible.  You should also ask a realtor whether they offer a guaranteed home sale because if they do, you might pay a little extra, but you can rest assured that your realtor will do everything they can to move your house quickly.

Marketing your home to sell on a site that provides Madison MLS listings is just one of the ways your agent will try to find the right buyer for your home. Another fee that you can offer to pay for the buyer when they close is their closing costs. Though it may seem like a deal breaker for some sellers, it is becoming the norm will some home sales and may be just the motivation your buyer needs to purchase your home.

Oct
14

A Look at the Old and New

What makes a bingo site stand out from all other new bingo sites online? Simple, it gives players what they want in terms of entertainment, array of games, rewards and jackpots. Online bingo has come a very long way since its inception; currently there are numerous very popular sites that feature large jackpots, large deposit bonuses, free games, super graphics and fun themes.

Consider Posh Bingo for instance; Posh is touted as the bingo site for snobs. It is glitzy and posh, extends super service, features an every Friday night £1 million jackpot and offers a variety of casino games of every sort. Whether a player is affluent or not, they will certainly feel like it when they play bingo at Posh.

For those looking to play bingo no deposit required, head on over to gossipbingo. At Gossip players are treated to bits of info about what the rich and famous are up to and what celebs are doing; this site makes you feel like you are in the pages of a gossip rag. Gossip is not only fun and attractively designed but it offers real free play, a £5 no deposit bonus is free for all who register. Throw in a 250% first deposit bonus and you can see why this new site is already a big success.

Foxy Bingo is a site that has been around for some time now. The folks behind Foxy have gone all out to make sure players have a grand experience when they visit Foxy. Many websites restrict new players to newbie games and indirectly, smaller jackpots. Not so at Foxy! Right from the start all players can enter free bonus games, guaranteed jackpot rooms for newbies, loyalty points and nice deposit bonuses. Foxy has set the bar high challenging other sites to live up to Foxy’s reputation.

A whopping first time deposit of 350% (up to £35) awaits players on one of the latest bingo websites to launch, Sing Bingo. So far Sing has dazzled players with its 90-ball Thursday Record Breaker game; for only 10p players have a chance at the guaranteed jackpot of £1000. Tuesday is the day for The Rehearsal bingo game (9pm) featuring a guaranteed £750 jackpot.

The old and new sites mentioned above offer plenty to love.  Playing bingo online has never been better.

Oct
05

A Great Solution Financially and Environmentally

Long term smoking undeniably does some serious damage to your body and to those around you.  It has been discovered that second hand smoke is even more deadly than smoking the cigarette yourself.  Cost is another downside to smoking.  With cigarettes ranging upwards from six dollars or more a pack, a pack a day smoker is spending almost two thousand dollars annually just on cigarettes to feed their habit.

What could you do with an extra two thousand bucks…or even a grand?  This isn’t even touching the social isolation that comes from smoking as well.  Many people don’t want to be around people who smoke.  It makes them sick, it sticks to your hair, your clothes stink, and it is horrible for their health.  Who can blame them, but a long term smoker isn’t one who is going to be able to kick the habit quickly or easily.

There is a new product on the market that can appease both worlds. Electronic cigarettes are the newest product in the attempt to keep both smokers and non smokers happy.  You see, e-cigs like the safe cig deliver the same nicotine as traditional cigs.  They are shaped the same and you still get that comforting hand to mouth movement that is associated with smoking.  This way you can still chat on the phone and drive your car without needing something to keep your hands busy.

The difference in these ingenious cigarettes is that they don’t burn.  No burning ash or second hand smoke to worry about.  They deliver all the nicotine that you crave and only emit a harmless vapor that is odorless.  They are made up of a few easily assembled pieces including a rechargeable battery and electronic cigarette refill cartridges.  This is all that it takes to appease your craving and your friends.

The one thing you will see if you search on sites like Electronic Cigarettes Reviews that have Green Smoke reviews or Blu reviews is the huge impact that these cigarettes have had on so many smoker’s social life. No longer are their lives dictated by when they are going to need their next smoke.  No matter where they are or what they are doing, if they need to smoke, they can.  No stinky smell clinging to your hair, and no worries about the damage being done by the second hand smoke.  These innovative electric cigarettes give you the nicotine you desire without any tar or toxins that you don’t.

Financially, you will save hundreds if not thousands by making the switch. When you choose to buy e cigarettes you will discover that you will begin saving around two or three dollars a pack, if not more!  The initial outlay is a bit more due to the start up costs of the battery, charger and cigarette refill cartridge, but that cost is quickly made up if you examine the savings available to you over the long term.  Many sites will also offer electronic cigarette coupons to offset the initial cost of a starter kit.

All in all, the electronic cigarette is a great solution for those long term smokers who just have no desire to quit.  By making an easy switch you will begin improving your health, your social life and your budget almost immediately.

Sep
13

Boeing vs. EADS for Tanker Contract

With a lucrative $35 billion contract to build 179 Air Force aerial refueling tankers on the line, Boeing is dueling with stiff bid competition from EADS (European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company). Both of these aeronautic industry juggernauts are going all-out in their efforts to secure this contract.

The contract is scheduled to be awarded in November but pundits are hinting that this date may be pushed back. There have been two previous attempts to award this contract. The contract was initially awarded to Boeing as a lease-purchase agreement. However this agreement fell apart in 2004 due to a scandal.  It then sent Boeing’s ex CFO and the Air Force’s former 2nd ranking arms buyer to prison for conflict of interest. Then in 2008 the Pentagon awarded the contract to an EADS/Northrop Grumman partnership. Boeing appealed the awarding of the contract and again, the contract was nullified.

Replacing the aging refueling fleet has been top priority for the Air Force for many years. The average age of the Boeing KC-135 tankers in use today is 50 years. Many feel that politics and posturing has delayed the contract far too long; even now the Air Force says that the award will be made “in the fall,” which technically could mean as late as Dec. 20, 2010.

As Americans, let’s all hope that this time the contract is legally and finally awarded. Our servicemen and servicewomen deserve the most technologically advanced and up to date equipment possible.  By providing them with the best equipment, we are ultimately benefiting our own nation.

Sep
12

Come Back Home To Bingo

Wouldn’t it be great to play bingo online and stand a chance of winning real money? You can do just that any time you want; bingo sites are available 24 hours a day seven days a week and every day of the year. Online bingo is so wildly popular that a plethora of sites have opened for play and new bingo sites continue to open practically daily. With a bit of research (read a few online bingo review websites) players can easily find bingo sites to play that meet with their approval. Let’s look at a few online bingo sites that are sure to meet with any player’s approval.

Bingohollywood is a glitzy Tinsel town glamour site with copious frills to make you feel like a bona fide celebrity. With a 300% first deposit bonus and an extremely generous 75% re-deposit, this site is enjoying a huge tally of players. Everyone loves to feel pampered and this site makes you feel like the rich and fabulous. Hollywood features free games, side games and progressives in addition to exciting bingo action. Playing on this site will certainly leave you craving more!

One of the newer online bingo games is Tasty Bingo. Tasty has lived up to the high expectations and players are flocking to play. Tasty is an apt name for this site; it is indeed tasty. It has totally awesome graphics and sound. It is a delight to the senses to play at Tasty with its endless choices of free games, casino games and instant games. There are big jackpots, great prizes and so many promotions it will be hard to keep up with this super site introduced by operators of Wink Bingo, everyone’s favorite.

Cheekybingo.com is one of the first sites to offer free play with real cash prizes, as much as £50 to be exact. Cheeky offers numerous hard-to-beat-promos such as fantastic loyalty programs, bingo point competitions, interactive chat games and cash back. Cheeky continues to be innovative and leads the way with their free gaming. There are fortunes to be won playing online bingo. Why not become the next big winner?

Aug
29

Politics Manipulate Air Force Tanker Contract for 179 Planes

What do politics have to do with a contract controlling 179 Air Force planes?  In a word: everything. The two main competitors for the contract to be awarded during the close of 2010 are Boeing (US company) and European Aeronautics Defense & Space Company (EADS, a European company, parent company of Airbus).  The value of the contract is $25-$50 billion and competition is extremely fierce.

The mid-term elections of 2010 are being carefully watched by both companies. If the contract goes to Boeing the planes will be built at the company’s plant in primarily Democratic districts in the state of Washington with the finish work done in Kansas. If the contract goes to EADS the finish work will be done in the primarily Republican city of Mobile, Alabama. Currently Democrats control Congress but mid-term elections could easily put Republicans in control. A change in the controlling party could easily mean further delays as political parties fight for their constituency’s interests.

Southern Republicans have some support due to the BP oil spill. Every state has suffered job losses but the Gulf States were hit especially hard due to the devastation wreaked by the oil spill. EADS supporters claim that the contract would be a gigantic boost towards economic recovery from the BP spill in Alabama and other Southern states.

The awarding of the contract will sadly most likely have less to do with the design and quality of the product and more to do with political posturing. We live in a world where politics control almost every aspect of our daily lives, including this crucial issue.

Aug
14

EADS for Dummies

Many Americans are clueless about military contracts. It is not something most of us deal with on a daily basis to say the least. When you see the acronym “EADS,” do you instantly think Air Force tanker contract? If so, you probably have been reading the paper or listening to the news the past few years. For those not “in the know,” what follows will be a simple explanation of why EADS is important to Americans.

EADS is the acronym for European Aeronautic Defense & Space Company, parent company to Airbus. EADS is currently in contention for a huge, $35 billion Air Force contract to build 179 aerial refueling tankers to replace our aging fleet of Boeing KC-135s.

This $35 billion contract is due to be awarded for the third time in the fall of 2010. It has been awarded once to each company but nullified each time. The first time it was reneged for legal reasons and the second on a judicial appeal.

EADS is a European consortium. EADS hired many American companies to assist in designing a tanker using the Airbus A-330 as a basis. EADS is facing extremely tough competition for this bid. Boeing, an American based company, has squared off and is fighting hard to win this contract. Boeing actually won the contract the first time it was awarded.

This contract has been bandied about publically for some time. Politicians in Washington and Kansas are backing Boeing; Southern Republicans are backing EADS. If Boeing wins the contract the planes will be built in Everett, Washington and finished in Kansas. If EADS is awarded the contract the finish work will be done in Mobile, Alabama. With $35 billion on the line, EADS is fighting hard to become common American vernacular.

Jul
26

America Wins Regardless of Who Gets the Air Force Tanker Contract

There is a huge Air Force tanker contract set to be awarded this fall. This contract will be awarded for the building of 179 aerial refueling tankers at the tidy sum of around $35 billion. Two companies have been posturing and competing for this contact for the past few years, but only one lucky company will win this huge contract.

The two competitors are Boeing and European Aeronautic Defense & Space Company (the parent company to Airbus). Boeing will both assemble and finish the planes in the US if it is awarded the contract; assembly will be at their Everett, Washington plant and finish work will be done in Kansas. EADS will do the finish work in Mobile, Alabama if they are awarded the contract.

If Boeing builds the tankers the money will stay in the US. If EADS builds the planes some of the money will stay in the US. Is this not a win/win for American workers? This whole contract has been muddied from the start. It has been awarded twice only to be nullified and re-opened for bid. Ironically, Boeing won the contract once and EADS won it once. Politicians have been bandying this contract around like a ping-pong ball; every politician would love to say that they were influential in keeping this very lucrative contract in the US.

Delve deep into the planning and design stages of the bids. EADS has worked closely with many American companies in developing their plan to make a refueling tanker based on Airbus’ A-330. Boeing plans are based on their commercial 767 jetliner.

It would be wonderful to keep all $35 billion in the US. However, even if Boeing submits the losing bid, Americans will not lose out entirely. Alabama will gain some jobs and much needed stimuli to their economy.