Viva La Cola!

Founded in January 2009, PubliCola is a blog about Seattle written by journalists who are dedicated to non-partisan, original daily reporting that prioritizes a balanced approach to news. Started by longtime local editor and award-winning reporter Josh Feit, PubliCola is the first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol.

PubliCola was off and running. In June 2009, PubliCola hired another award-winning journalist, super-sourced Seattle city hall reporter Erica C. Barnett.

People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

Bringing you cola for the people, PubliCola is named after Publius Valerius PubliCola, the alias for the authors of the Federalist Papers—the original bloggers.

x close
The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

Despite Prodding from WA Delegation, Feds Cut Orders for Boeing F-22s

News   April 8, 2009 at 3:39 pm Chris Kissel

The Department of Defense announced its new priorities on Monday, with an emphasis on ditching some of the more outdated weapons in the U.S. arsenal. One of the weapons on the chopping block is the F-22 fighter jet, manufactured in large part by Boeing and championed by both Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA,6).

Now, as Congress gets fired up over different cuts in the Defense budget, it’s unclear whether Murray or Dicks will jump back into the fray.

Back in January, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) actively campaigned the incoming Obama Administration to re-order Boeing F-22 jets as soon as the current order is up (Boeing sent $46,000 Murray’s way between 2003 and 2008, making them her fourth-largest campaign contributer). “Continued F-22 production is critical to both the national security and economic interests of our country,” Murray said at the time. Boeing’s F-22 division employs about 1,200 in Seattle.

Shortly afterward, Dicks and his own posse sent Obama a draft of a similarly-worded letter. But now, Rep. Dicks’ office says he hasn’t lined up behind other Congressmembers to criticize the defense budget, and won’t until the options can be reviewed on the House floor when Congress goes back in session after the Easter recess. Even then, Dicks might be somewhat placated by the government’s order of 31 Boeing F-18s, despite the fact that a few other Boeing projects are getting the axe in the defense budget.

“[Defense Secretary Robert] Gates was basically saying ‘you have to cut your losses at some point,’” George Behan, Dicks’ spokesperson, told PubliCola. “It’s hard to take issue with that.” Along with the controversial military contractor lobbyist, PMA, Boeing is Dicks all-time highest campaign contributer, feeding him about $131,750 over the years, according to OpenSecrets.org.

The Defense Department’s budget, announced by Gates, puts four more F-22s on order—sixteen less than Boeing anticipated—before the government effectively cans their production by stopping their orders. Boeing, which is responsible for assembling a few major parts of the jets, has been tight-lipped about the cuts and their effects on the company. The company also wouldn’t comment on whether they would continue pushing for the jet despite Gates’s announcement.

Murray’s office couldn’t be reached this afternoon.


  • EvergreenRailfan

    The Raptor has been a target for cutting by critics on both sides of the spectrum. The Right because it costs too much, the Left because it is a weapons system. I like the Raptor because of it’s speed. The Supercruise capability would have been something F-15 pilots of the 1st Fighter Wing would have loved to have had on 9/11. The F-15 is supersonic, but not without the afterburner. Although from what I heard, the Afterburner is mainly where raw fuel is dumped into the exhaust. I like the F-35 too, but the way US Fighter strategy has been for decades has been a Hi-Lo mix. The F-15/F-16 started it. Now Gates might not win this one, components for the Raptor are built in over 40 states. THat is a lot of Congressmembers. I wonder, how many of California’s 50+ congressmembers have work on the F-22 in their district. Another thing about the Raptor, some of our Allies want it, and one or two even need it, but their is an Export Ban because of the Stealth Technology. Some in Australia see the F-22 as a replacement for the F-111. The RAAF already has plans to purchase F-35s to replace their F/A-18As and are going to buy F/A-18Fs to replace the F111s on an interim basis.

  • EvergreenRailfan

    The Raptor has been a target for cutting by critics on both sides of the spectrum. The Right because it costs too much, the Left because it is a weapons system. I like the Raptor because of it’s speed. The Supercruise capability would have been something F-15 pilots of the 1st Fighter Wing would have loved to have had on 9/11. The F-15 is supersonic, but not without the afterburner. Although from what I heard, the Afterburner is mainly where raw fuel is dumped into the exhaust. I like the F-35 too, but the way US Fighter strategy has been for decades has been a Hi-Lo mix. The F-15/F-16 started it. Now Gates might not win this one, components for the Raptor are built in over 40 states. THat is a lot of Congressmembers. I wonder, how many of California’s 50+ congressmembers have work on the F-22 in their district. Another thing about the Raptor, some of our Allies want it, and one or two even need it, but their is an Export Ban because of the Stealth Technology. Some in Australia see the F-22 as a replacement for the F-111. The RAAF already has plans to purchase F-35s to replace their F/A-18As and are going to buy F/A-18Fs to replace the F111s on an interim basis.

  • EvergreenRailfan

    Also, I can see some Defense Critics saying the Raptor is a waste because it is a land-based plane, and the terrorists are also fighting the war at sea. The Maersk Alabama the latest ship to be seized, first flying the Stars and Stripes, and the first where the crew fought back. Maybe more destroyers would help. An interesting incident in Somali Waters recently. A pirate boat tried to get onto another ship, but they had a problem. A Sea King from HMCS Winnipeg was in the area, the Canadian crew had put a big Stop sign in Somali next to the machine gun. The pirates retreated.

  • EvergreenRailfan

    Also, I can see some Defense Critics saying the Raptor is a waste because it is a land-based plane, and the terrorists are also fighting the war at sea. The Maersk Alabama the latest ship to be seized, first flying the Stars and Stripes, and the first where the crew fought back. Maybe more destroyers would help. An interesting incident in Somali Waters recently. A pirate boat tried to get onto another ship, but they had a problem. A Sea King from HMCS Winnipeg was in the area, the Canadian crew had put a big Stop sign in Somali next to the machine gun. The pirates retreated.