03-27-2003, 03:28 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-27-2003, 03:29 PM by Occhidiangela.)
When he was our Secretary of Defense, he started, in 1989, a major drawdown of US military spending. His thrust was to gut the waste, force armaments companies into better compliance with acquisition law, and he killed the A-12 program because the contractor was making claims of performance that were blatantly false. (And sadly, a few high ranking military officials were playing along, so he fired their arses as well.) He even fought the Tilt Rotor technonlogy now present in the V-22 as being "gold plating."
Yet for all that, he was respected by many for his leadership and for his efforts to bring what many thought as a defense acquisition process that had run amok under Presiden Reagan under control.
Having never met the man in person either, I am curious as to how you can make such a characterization. I have seen the direct benefits of his ability to operate at the policy making level, and to be frank with you, he did pretty darned well in a tough job.
Yet for all that, he was respected by many for his leadership and for his efforts to bring what many thought as a defense acquisition process that had run amok under Presiden Reagan under control.
Having never met the man in person either, I am curious as to how you can make such a characterization. I have seen the direct benefits of his ability to operate at the policy making level, and to be frank with you, he did pretty darned well in a tough job.
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete