Tanker Truths

01 Apr 2008
Northrop Grumman responds to false claims of European job shifts
In a story in today's Mobile Press Register, a representative one of a handful of activist groups that held a Washington, DC press conference yesterday is quoted delivering one of Boeing's stock surrogate talking points regarding jobs. Although the Press Register provides a balanced report we feel it important not to allow such untruths to go uncorrected.

In the article, George Landrith, President of an organization calling itself the Frontiers of Freedom Institute, erroneously asked, "In a time of economic difficulty ... does it make sense to ship those jobs to Europe?"

But, as Northrop Grumman Chairman and CEO Dr. Ron Sugar pointed out in numerous interviews, yesterday, this is an absolutely false claim.

Congressional Quarterly paraphrased Dr. Sugar this way:

"Nearly 60 percent of the aircraft's content will be made in the United States, he said, adding that with 230 suppliers in 49 states, the contract will create as many as 48,000 direct and indirect U.S. jobs."

Meanwhile, blogger Steve Clemons had some additional color on Frank Gaffney, the ringleader of the event held yesterday that prompted the Press Register story. Clemons posted this on his Washington Note blog and it was cross-posted on the Huffington Post.

Clemons' posting was headlined: "Frank Gaffney: Boeing's Surprising Spear Carrier In The Middle East."

In the posting, Clemons quoted Gaffney as saying, "I do," when a reporter asked whether any of those criticizing Northrop Grumman's win were taking money from Boeing.

The posting provides significant additional background on Mr. Gaffney.

To read Clemons' entire posting on The Huffington Post, go to: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/frank-gaffney-boeings-_b_94367.html

What Others Are Saying:

In a post on the CNBC sponsored blog, "Funny Business" correspondent Jane Wells raises a question many have been asking. We'd rather not characterize it. Instead, we encourage you to read the whole post here:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/23898960

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