This entry was posted on 4/21/2008 11:40 AM and is filed under uncategorized.
20 April 2008
Blaring Catastrophes Redux
Recently, I wrote of the US Air Force's decision to use defective F-22 Raptor fighter jets, despite the fact that use of them will most likely lead to "a catastrophic failure in flight" that "could result in the loss of the aircraft" (Dominic Gates, "Boeing sues Alcoa over parts for F-22 Raptor fighters," The Seattle Times, 11 April 2008). The reason for the defect? Alcoa (subcontracted by Boeing to forge titanium parts to the jets) "failed to add a crucial extra 20 minutes in the furnace that was needed for proper forging."
I already wrote of my bewilderment that our Air Force would go ahead with using the jets despite the blaring evidence to the contrary.
Add to this the recent discovery by researchers that the builder of the Titanic "struggled for years to obtain enough good rivets and riveters and ultimately settled on faulty materials that doomed the ship" (William J. Broad, "In Weak Rivets, a Possible Key to Titanic's Doom," The New York Times, 15 April 2008). Interesting thing about this finding is the the fact that ten (10) years ago, the safety of the rivets was questioned and promptly dismissed by the builder, arguing that "it did not have an archivist who could address the issue" - so the sinking was left a "riddle".
Ahem, pause and step back please.
Researchers, investigators - are they not hired for their acumen, their shrewd abilities to uncover supposed mysteries? Is it not their code, their edict, to 'leave no stone unturned' and above all, not to take answers at face value - least of all from those most likely culpable?
How could they have listened to the builder, swallowed his (heap of garbage) dismissal, and just left it at that - for a decade?!?
We are seldom given second chances in life. When it comes to potential lives lost, we only have one instance to get it right. Is not the lesson of the Titanic enough?
So I pose to you again, why? Why is our Air Force making such a brazenly senseless decision to endanger their Airmen, especially when it is these very men we should cultivate and protect so they in turn can protect our nation?
Perhaps the warning blares too loudly, too defiantly, that the ears have been irreparably deafened...
