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US Government takes $1B from nuclear modernization for gold-plated jet
- catlikesshrimp 1y agoJust use reader mode in firefox. But the title says it all.
- freeopinion 1y agoHere's a bit that is hard to stuff into a 10-word headline. "Nuclear modernization" refers to the development of the Sentinel missile to replace the Minuteman III missile. It is arguably not a modernization at all. It is a spectacular example of spreading seemingly endless money around for political ends. It's a $140+ billion boondoggle that has somehow escaped the attention of DOGE while they were hunting down what they claim is $170 billion in fraud and waste in places like the national parks.
- actionfromafar 1y agoThis is genius! No other administration could have come up with this plan! So much winning.
- mykowebhn 1y agoAnd at the same time I see this story on HN: "4k NASA employees opt to leave agency through deferred resignation program" https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44699052 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44699052 Not sure how either story is making anything great again...
- freeopinion 1y agoI've seen tons of job postings for software devs on the Sentinel missile project (the subject of this story). Perhaps many of those NASA employees can land there.
- bananapub 1y agoI am endlessly fascinated by how almost the entire American elite has just accepted the federal government being couped and at least four years of just self-dealing, corruption, theft and all of policy being driven by whatever idiotic childish whims one senile old man has, completely unrestrained by congress or courts or advisors. are they just this pathetic? or do they largely see this as personally beneficial?
- jrs235 1y agoI'm going to assume both answers are the same and that the answer is "Yes".
- Guid_NewGuid 1y agoI have a theory that this is built into the American system. People are brainwashed into thinking the system of government is perfect and unimpeachable (pledge of allegiance, constitution being this holy scripture). So when the imperfect system inevitably breaks down it is regarded as an unavoidable outcome. Because the system delivered the outcome it must be the only possibility.
- jrs235 1y agoAmerican Exceptionalism, and the belief of the United States superiority and infallibility, is built on quasi-religious beliefs. The holy documents include the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Those that follow it hold up the founding fathers on pedestals and work to cover their negative attributes/sins (being and benefitting from being slave owners, many having adulterous affairs, etc.) To not hold such pride is to be unpatriotic according to followers. Heresy and blasphemy which should get people kicked out or killed.
- UncleEntity 1y agoI think a big part of the problem is everyone just kind of assumed no one would get up to the kinds of shenanigans the current administrations is engaging in. Kind of like a 'please take one' sign on a bucket of Halloween candy breaks down really, really fast in the presence of bad actors. Currently, the courts are the only 'checks and balances' on the executive branch and they operate slowly by design. Eventually this will all get sorted out and we'll get back to normalcy assuming, of course, 'free and fair elections' survive the turmoil.
- 5555624 1y agoThat's still cheaper than the current GAO estimate for the new Boeing 747-8 Air Force One replacements. The current estimate, for two, is $5.6 billion and they won't be ready until 2029. (The original cost was $3.9 billion.)
- cr125rider 1y agoHe has stated he will keep it after leaving the presidency. So it’s now a $6.6 billion dollar project.
- EA-3167 1y agoHe says a lot of things, why should we assume that this is the rare occasion of him telling the truth? Note that I don't particularly want our president flying in a golden jet either, and think he's a complete waste of carbon, but the question remains.
- sundaeofshock 1y agoHe never lies when it comes to his grifts. He is absolutely planning on keeping that plane.
- jordanb 1y agoThe "gift" from Qatar is structured as a loan to the USAF that will be automatically recalled followed by a permanent gift to the "Trump library" the moment he is no longer president.
- Eddy_Viscosity2 1y ago> He says a lot of things, why should we assume that this is the rare occasion of him telling the truth? He's a quick way to tell if he's telling the truth. If what he says will either personally benefit him or will hurt others, then its a good chance its true. If what he says is something that will help others but have no benefit to him, then it is a lie.
- jrs235 1y ago
- mdaniel 1y agohttps://archive.ph/BLyal https://archive.ph/BLyal
- JohnTHaller 1y agoCompletely on brand for Republicans