Shipbuilding lobby raises concerns over Navy cuts

[girl gone mad]

Too late for LBN, so I'm posting it here.

Shipbuilding lobby raises concerns over Navy cuts
By DALE EISMAN AND ALLISON CONNOLLY, The Virginian-Pilot
© September 2, 2004

WASHINGTON — The Navy’s tightening budgets are strangling shipbuilders and could trigger the loss of thousands of jobs and a dangerous decline in U.S. naval power, the industry’s top lobby group warned Wednesday.

The American Shipbuilding Association said its members are forecasting multi-million dollar losses and layoffs of as many as one-third of their workers if the service presses ahead with reported plans to build only four new ships in 2006.

The Navy expects to build nine new ships in 2005, up from seven this year but still not enough to maintain the 300-ship fleet called for in the Bush administration’s long-range defense plan.

The service apparently plans to ask for only four ships in 2006, as it ends production of its Arleigh Burke class of destroyers and prepares to begin building the new DDX destroyer in 2007.

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=75095&ran=42516

[strategery blunder]

1. Do you have a link?

Though our navy is plenty big now--I don't see an urgent need for new ships--only cannon fodder for iraqnam plus four more wars.:scared:

[girl gone mad]

2. I added the link.

This goes to a larger story. I heard the Navy is cutting 60,000 sailors in a cost cutting effort. I also heard that there is a program in the Army called Blue to Green, that will give bonuses and for Navy and AF guys to switch over to the Army. A recruiter has said he has signed a grand total of 1 person to this program.


It's just hypocrisy for Bush to attack Kerry over cuts to the military while this stuff is going on.

[Indiana_Dem]

4. This Thomas Barnett on c-span said the new plans will

happen no matter if there's a Dem or Repub in the house.

[Indiana_Dem]

3. Learn everything you need to know on c-span--

Thomas Barnett--The Pentagon's New Map

http://www.c-span.org/watch/index.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS&ShowVidDays=30&ShowVidDesc=&ArchiveDays=30

It's long but worth the watch to gain an understanding of the military's plans.

on edit: It was just on C-span 1 tonight at 8pm but it should be online, too. I don't know when it will air again on TV.