BendGovernment

This military muscle flexing rings familiar. During times of stress like the Cuban Missle Crisis, we used to track Russian bombers in exactly the same routine way. In those days SAC intercept jets used to take off from points I will not mention and the bombers would never have a remote chance of getting to target.

The Russian exercise seemed pointless and a waste of money unless there is some military advantage to making icebergs radioactive.
===================== CTV ===

NORAD scrambles jets to intercept Russian bombers
Updated Fri. Sep. 29 2006 11:06 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

NORAD launched Canadian and American fighter jets to intercept two Russian bombers near U.S. airspace, officials said Friday.

Russian military officials had warned the United States the bombers would be conducting an exercise in the region. But as the planes crossed a 20-kilometre buffer zone around U.S. airspace, the NORAD planes moved in.

At about 6 p.m. ET Thursday, NORAD scrambled three pairs of fighter jets -- including two CF-18 jets from Cold Lake, Alta.

The American aircraft included four F-15s from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska.

*It was the Americans who found the bombers first. They came to within metres of the bombers,* reported CTV's David Akin. *There was no radio contact. After a period of time, the Russians turned and went home.*

The bombers never crossed over into Canadian or U.S. airspace. And according to Major Jason Proulx, such incidents are not rare.

*It's not just something we do with foreign aircraft,* he told CTV Newsnet. *NORAD is responsible for monitoring suspicious aircraft within our own domestic airspace as well.*

Even though NORAD knew the Russian planes would be flying in the area, he said the incident was still "exciting" for the Canadian military.



*It's always exciting to be involved in this line of work,* Proulx said.

*We have pilots and support people that train to do this; people that monitor the skies 24/7. And it's interesting when ... their training is put to the test. An example such as this was perfect: they're trained to do it, they responded, they intercepted and everything worked out great.*
=================== CTV ==

The Russians are bright boys. I suspect they do this to discover our regular approach patterns and to determine how many lines or groups of intercepts usually rise to the bait.

I hope our approach always varies so that their target attitudes can never be preset. = TG

Are you anywhere near Ottawa?..UPDATE:== [ Great Success!] Next = TORONTO!

Support our troops: Rally in TORONTO ]Friday, Sept. 29; God bless CFRA, Ottawa.
http://www.cfra.com/red-fridays/index.asp?id=8

"News Talk Radio 580 CFRA is proud to support the grassroots effort brought to Petawawa by the wives of two men serving in the Canadian Forces. The concept of wearing something red - whether a red shirt, jacket, cap, bandana or whatever - every Friday is meant to let the soldiers and their spouses and children know they are not alone.
We appreciate the sacrifices they are making on our behalf. We thank them for their service to our country and their fight for peace and justice wherever in the world they are sent.

REPORT SEPT 25: = SUCCESS! GREAT TURNOUT.. THE HILL WAS A SEA OF RED.

================ UPDATE;==
Toronto is the next centre for another troops Friday support meet and be
sure to WEAR SOMETHING RED AGAIN IN TORONTO NEXT FRIDAY!.

For more information on supporting our troops, visit http://www.marriedtothecanadianforces.com

PLEASE SHARE THIS PAGE WITH EVERYONE ON YOUR CONTACT LIST. HELP SPREAD THE WORD, AND WEAR RED THIS FRIDAY!

For more information on supporting our troops, visit http://www.marriedtothecanadianforces.com

Mark in Ottawa / TG in Courtenay

  

Three major brick walls to be specific.

[1] Governments are addicted to the cash cow of oil and gas tax revenues. The recent bump up in gas prices have been a huge windfall to the government, when half of that immense wealth goes to government. Electric vehicle? No fuel tax? - - - No way!


[2] Employment disruption: Loss of jobs in engine block manufacturing; making of Radiators, oil, gas and water pumps, muffler and catalytic converters, fuel injector systems, gas tanks, fuel lines, ignition systems, Air oil and gas filter systems and rubber hoses galore.


[3] Big Auto profits: The endless complexity in all the elements in the conventional vehicle provides a guaranteed high price and on-going parts and repair profits to auto makers. When the auto is simplified to Electric motor, Charger - controller, power steering and brakes, the overall cost will drop to lower levels when volume and competition take effect.

Like everyone else in business, I like profits, but there are no profits to be had when other countries sell us the efficient cars we want. Toyota, [Prius], Honda, Volkswagen, BMW, Mazda, Subaru, Kia, Hyundai. Do our corporations and Government have the same foot - dragging attitude that lost the British Motorcycle business to Japan?

We make many electric vehicles in North America, but most are of ugly design , some with three wheels, and most with no chance of widespread acceptance aside from the GM EV1 [discontinued] , and the Tesla Roadster, 90K, luxury sports model. Photos = http://TonyGuitar.blogspot.com

The number of over 10 year old cars on the road ,[my trusty *87 Jeep included], now stands at about 6.8 million cars [2005 figure. Canada]

===== Toronto Star ==
Automobiles are now living longer; 6.8 million decade-old cars on the road Manufacturers building better vehicles; [ONT Edition]
Tony Van Alphen. Toronto Star. Toronto, Ont.: Sep 5/06. pg. D.1

People: DesRosiers, Dennis
Section: Business
Text Word Count: 486
Document URL:

Abstract (Document Summary)

[Dennis DesRosiers] said that over the years, auto manufacturers have been building vehicles better so they last longer. For example, galvanized steel started replacing carbon steel in the late 1980s and reduced body corrosion dramatically.

At the same time, DesRosiers said governments aren't doing much to put the brakes on the trend and force older vehicles off the road through requirements for better fuel economy ...
==== Article reprint = $3.95 ==

Ok, I can save you $3.95 here.

That is Dennis of DesRosiers Automotive Consultants who adds that a consumer shift to more truck purchases has also added to vehicle longevity.

At the same time governments are not doing much to stop the older vehicle trend through emissions or mileage standards, he said.

Dennis rejects the argument that many can not afford new models because statistics indicate real prices have dropped in recent years.

== I say, give me an incentive to buy a new car! My *87 Jeep Wagoneer looks as good as the new Jeeps. I admit one of the electric windows is sticky and it*s starting to use oil, but it is still respectable transportation.

Give me the chance to by an Electric car for about 16G [overpriced for electric simplicity], and I am your new car customer. Motorvation by controlled gas explosions is old fashioned , stinky and needlessly dangerous. Not to mention poison anti-freeze. = TG

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