Hightower Lowdown

Who says the Pentagon is a cold-hearted, imperious war machine? I’ve just learned the Pentagon is an absolute softy! If, that is, you’re a politically wired contractor like Boeing.

In a deal opposed by Bush’s own budget office and by military experts, the Pentagon gave a sweet kiss on the lips to Boeing, agreeing to a six-year lease of 100 jetliners, which Boeing will convert into tankers for refueling bombers in mid-flight. It’s the first time the Pentagon will rent rather than buy such a big-ticket item—and it’s mighty costly for us taxpayers.

The congressional accounting office says it will cost up to $30 billion. For only $8 billion, the existing fleet of tankers—which has been performing beautifully, according to the Air Force—could be modernized for another 35 years of service.
But that idea didn’t have Boeing’s lobbying clout. The aircraft giant is a major campaign contributor, and it mustered the political muscle of House Speaker Dennis Hastert, the Senate appropriations chairman, and a gaggle of Republican and Democratic lawmakers from 17 states where Boeing operates. The final approval of this rip-off was made by George W. himself—a guy whose party enjoyed over $2 million in donations from Boeing in the past four years.

Washington boneheads can claim another victory for their policy of perpetual war—they’ve beaten us taxpayers, hoisting Boeing’s flag over people’s needs, real national security . . . and common sense.