Think Progress

Congress cancels $63 million plane that couldn’t fly.»

For the past 20 years, Congress has dumped $63 million into a military plane that the Pentagon “repeatedly rejected, and which never had a successful flight.” Instead, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) allocated earmarks for the plane project, which was created by one of his campaign donors. ABC’s The Blotter reports that the 2008 defense spending bill does not include an earmark for the program, effectively killing it. Hunter had wanted to direct $6 million toward the plane’s development.




Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date

85 Responses to “Congress cancels $63 million plane that couldn’t fly.”

  1. T Gomez Says:

    The article says 64 million, not billion


  2. hellinabucket Says:

    Accomplished by a Democratic congress.


  3. Zwack Says:

    The linked story states $63 MILLION not BILLION.

    Z.


  4. dlet Says:

    Maybe next Duncan can find a boat that doesn’t float to fund.


  5. OReillyscareslibsbuthesanindependent Says:

    Hunter’s not plugging spending bills with earmarks as the project he directed money towards had national security implications–it was after all a military plane to be used to kill terrorists. Ironically, Toilet Paper is totally quiet when it comes to busting Democrats for their egregious pork offenses, such as Robert KKK Byrd making his senatorial career on bringing pork to WV!


  6. missmolly Says:

    I was just going to say that $63 billion seems a bit steep — even for OUR spendthrift government. $63 million for a plane that can’t fly is bad enough — let’s hope that spending sinkhole doesn’t grow a thousand-fold.

    TP will probably correct this soon.


  7. Amanda Says:

    Thanks for noticing the error — all fixed.


  8. Vet Says:

    Ignore the trolls and they’ll go away. I’m guilty of falling into their trap, too, but let’s try ignoring them and only discuss the actual story.


  9. missmolly Says:

    Accomplished by a Democratic congress.

    Comment by hellinabucket — August 24, 2007 @ 3:28 pm

    Cancellation accomplished by the Democratic congress — original earmarks by a Republican congressman. And they call OUR party the spending one!


  10. AnyoneWhoThinksDildoReillyIsIndependantIsMentallyRetarded Says:

    Isn’t it ironic we call them Representatives when they only represent the upper 1%?


  11. RUCerious Says:

    If all the poster’s here will kindly send Duncan Hines Hunter a nickel, he can put that toward his plane.


  12. Troll Hater Says:

    Plane looks like a flying Pignose.

    What’s wrong with the Harrier? Decomissioned, Brit’s won’t sell, too obsolete to fight against insurgents, uncool because not invented here, what??


  13. dlet Says:

    Hunter’s not plugging spending bills with earmarks as the project he directed money towards had national security implications–it was after all a military plane
    Comment by OReillyscareslibsbuthesanindependent

    When the Pentagon says they don’t want the plane and the only reason Hunter kept the project alive was to keep the jobs for his constituents then yes it is pork.


  14. dlet Says:

    If all the poster’s here will kindly send Duncan Hines Hunter a nickel, he can put that toward his plane.

    Comment by RUCerious

    I got some lint. Hope that will help him out.


  15. DONTBSHEEP Says:

    Yeah, libs spend just as bad…..just not on levees in their own home state and then the the same corrupt politicians get reelected. You get what you ask for…

    SEND A MESSAGE! VOTE ‘EM ALL OUT! LET START OVER!


  16. AllTrollsAreClosetHomosexualsWhoLikeTweenersAtTheOldest Says:

    How he can defend this project is beyond belief. The fact that the Pentagon didn’t support it should put any Troll’s argument in support of Duncan Hines to rest - but it won’t.


  17. AllRepublicansAreClosetHomosexualsWhoLikeTweenersAtTheOldest Says:

    Duncan Hines could take a sh*t in a paper bag, label it ANTI-MUSLIM DEVICE and all the Trolls would rally behind him if he sold it to the gov’t for millions.


  18. DONTBSHEEP Says:

    YUPPERS…NOPE…NOTHING BUT NAME CALLING HERE…JUST LIKE I THOUGHT…A BUNCH OF CHILDREN!


  19. chad Says:

    Is this what Bush went when he said DEMOCRATS need to reprioratize spending when he spends 30 billion to give weapons to Saudi Arabia, 20 billion to Israel, and 61 million on a plane that never left the ground.


  20. Ned Flanders Says:

    Comment by DONTBSHEEP — August 24, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
    ——————————-
    Go ahead and add some words of wisdom. Perhaps it will spark some intelligent debate.


  21. hellinabucket Says:

    Yes, missmolly. Stopped by a Democratic congress.


  22. dim wit Says:

    I particullary like Duncan’s contention that it doesn’t matter what the Pentagon thinks because Congress is who funds the military.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2006/ 06/ 18/ AR2006061800679.html

    I wonder if the dems will ever be smart enough to figure out this concept


  23. whiteyfresh Says:

    YUPPERS…NOPE…NOTHING BUT NAME CALLING HERE…JUST LIKE I THOUGHT…A BUNCH OF CHILDREN!

    Comment by DONTBSHEEP — August 24, 2007 @ 3:48 pm

    YOU KNOW,IT’S KIND OF DIFFICULT TO TAKE YOU AS THE SERIOUS,”i CAME HERE FOR A REAL DISCUSSION BUT THIS IS WHAT I GOT” KIND OF BLOGGER WHEN YOU START WITH “YUPPERS”

    Also, take your caps off-It’s not even an important comment. You just want attention.
    Here, have a slice.

    Good?
    Now, go play outside until mommy calls you.


  24. DONTBSHEEP Says:

    This is how politicized it has become…Hillary Clinton…”It’s a horrible prospect to ask yourself, “What if? What if? But if certain things happen between now and the election, particularly with respect to terrorism, that will automatically give the Republicans an advantage again, no matter how badly they have mishandled it, no matter how much more dangerous they have made the world. I think I’m the best of the Democrats to deal with that as well.”

    Nothing said about the horror of innocent life lost…nothing of the damage to our country…physically or emotionally but what it could do politically to her and her party….

    What happened to Ask not what your country can do for you….Ask what you can do for your country…

    Suppose to be in public service…not political gain…


  25. DONTBSHEEP Says:

    whiteyfresh…it got your attention though didn’t it. I had to step down a few notches to look you in the eye.


  26. dim wit Says:

    What happened to Ask not what your country can do for you….Ask what you can do for your country…

    Suppose to be in public service…not political gain…

    Comment by DONTBSHEEP — August 24, 2007 @ 3:57 pm

    Bush banned this concept advising it was emboldening the terrorists.


  27. whiteyfresh Says:

    Yes, DBS, it did! That’s the fun thing about this here “internets” blog. You(or I) write something, press that little ‘post’ button, and VOILA! Your words magically appear on the screen! Since I didn’t have my computer set to brail(how blind people see-you might want to look into it), and read your comment. It is a task that is trather hard to do without paying attention. If I give you another doggie biscuit will you roll over and play dead?


  28. Chris L Says:

    Comment by DONTBSHEEP — August 24, 2007 @ 3:57 pm
    #

    Unless you are extremely new here, you have probably noticed that most of the posters at TP hate Hillary. She is Bush-Lite. Without the lite.


  29. gus smith Says:

    chad, why stop there. Did you see the documentary where the Coast Guard is building boats of composite material that don’t float and spending millions to elongate boats that can’t take the stress. The wasteful CRIMES committed in the name of this government are beyond measure (so they don’t bother, just keep spending).


  30. whiteyfresh Says:

    Since I didn’t have my computer set to brail(how blind people see-you might want to look into it), and read your comment.

    should be I read your comment.Oops. I made a mistake. See, It’s not that difficult…
    (Bush, I’m looking in YOUR direction…)


  31. Vet Says:

    Comment by DONTBSHEEP — August 24, 2007 @ 3:57 pm
    ————————————–
    Billary is no better than the Repugs in charge now. She’s a robot - no more, no less.

    The country needs real change. Too bad Kucinich doesn’t look like Romney - he’d be the top contender among the Dems.


  32. whiteyfresh Says:

    Kucinich=Elven Warrior Prince


  33. Wilco Says:

    DONTBSHEEP

    Why is namecalling wrong but insults fine?
    Or do I need to step down to ask you that eye to eye?


  34. whiteyfresh Says:

    WOW Wilco! If DBS has to look down to me, and and Yoo are looking down to him….

    What are you, like 8 feet tall or something?
    :)


  35. Wilco Says:

    Yes, whitey. Yes I am.


  36. whiteyfresh Says:

    Yooooooooooooooooooooooo…..

    poop. my finguhs arnt wurking soooo gud 2dai…


  37. DONTBSHEEP Says:

    whiteyfresh…
    No thanks and I never got the first one…and I dont roll over like most libs do.


  38. whiteyfresh Says:

    ALL HAIL 8 FOOT WILCO!!!!


  39. dim wit Says:

    Kucinich’s wife should run for president.

    BTW, does Hillary do the robot dance? just wondering.


  40. whiteyfresh Says:

    Niether do I.


  41. Vet Says:

    Unless you are extremely new here, you have probably noticed that most of the posters at TP hate Hillary. She is Bush-Lite. Without the lite.

    Comment by Chris L — August 24, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
    ——————————
    I honestly haven’t noticed that trend. TP is owned by loyal Clintonistas, and I’ve have several anti-Hillary comments deleted.

    Fight for REAL change - we don’t need any more years of Bush or Clinton in the White House - they’ve had their turn, now let’s give someone else a shot!

    Read Greg Palast for the TRUTH - even if it’s not so glowing for the Clintons…


  42. whiteyfresh Says:

    domo aragato Hildog Roboto-
    domo.

    domoDOMO


  43. Mutt WrongKnee Says:

    These are just pet projects that congress and senate know will never get off the ground, just another avenue to pork.


  44. Spudge_Boy Says:

    I honestly haven’t noticed that trend. TP is owned by loyal Clintonistas, and I’ve have several anti-Hillary comments deleted.

    And the country is being run by fascists, but it doesn’t mean we like them either.


  45. RUCerious Says:

    vet. check out the previous thread, go to the end post…


  46. Vet Says:

    BTW, does Hillary do the robot dance? just wondering.

    Comment by dim wit — August 24, 2007 @ 4:09 pm
    ——————————–
    No. She ran that idea past a few dozen advisors and several focus groups, and opted against dancing.


  47. Wilco Says:

    Looking at Clinton on a practical level, she’s polling GREAT against the Republican contenders, even in several states Bush took in 2004.


  48. dim wit Says:

    どうもありがとうミスタロバート
    また会う日まで


  49. Vet Says:

    Comment by RUCerious — August 24, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
    ————————–
    There must be another progressive site somewhere that’s not in bed with the establishment. Right???


  50. dbadass Says:

    Why is namecalling wrong but insults fine?
    Or do I need to step down to ask you that eye to eye?

    Comment by Wilco — August 24, 2007 @ 4:06 pm

    I was wondering the same. Admittedly I scanned but did not read ever word of each post but most of the unpleasantness seems to be coming from the one complaining about it. I roll over only when it makes for more comfortable rest.


  51. UpFromTheSkies Says:

    Maybe Bush could use a land plane and call it Land Force 1. After using Air Force 1 as his SUV to get from one vacation spot to the next, he could use his land plane to go scooting around for shorter trips on freeways.


  52. Wilco Says:

    Vet, kos isn’t.
    They have a confusing comment system, though, in my opinion.


  53. I.B. Leary Says:

    I kinda like Kucinich, too bad he looks like Alfred E. Nueman


  54. Makarios Says:

    kos isn’t.

    HEyOOOO o OOOO o OOOO 0 OOOO o OOOO o OOOO 0 OOOO!!!!!


  55. Makarios Says:

    Hey, a comment about Alphread EEE. Neuumin was just deleted!!!


  56. MapleStreet Says:

    I haven’t seen the full details. But I am somewhat worried that all this means is that it is no longer an earmark. - That is the money for the boondoggle could still come out of the military budget.


  57. Wilco Says:

    Maple, that’s not likely. The Pentagon never wanted the plane, apparently. Dunc just wanted Congress to fund it. I can’t imagine why.


  58. whiteyfresh Says:

    8 FOOT WILCO SMASH!!

    (sorry, that’s just reeeeally funny to me…)

    :D


  59. whiteyfresh Says:

    oh, the irony…


  60. whiteyfresh Says:

    Hey, a comment about Alphread EEE. Neuumin was just deleted!!!

    Comment by Makarios — August 24, 2007 @ 4:22 pm

    You know, I wasjust gonna tell you how I thought the whole “they deleted me” argument was a farce, but….

    they deleted it(?!?!?!!?)

    AFTER a wordpress fart, i must say, though…


  61. Vet Says:

    What’s the deal with “Piece Core” posts being deleted? What am I missing?


  62. shane Says:

    You know, I wasjust gonna tell you how I thought the whole “they deleted me” argument was a farce, but….

    they deleted it(?!?!?!!?)

    AFTER a wordpress fart, i must say, though…

    Comment by whiteyfresh — August 24, 2007 @ 4:34 pm

    whiteyfresh, Mak gets deleted quite often since he’s such a sick puppy. If you were talking to him it might get deleted.


  63. Makarios Says:

    You guys are getting desperate!!!

    Look at the thread above!!!

    (I can’t post there just yet, as Faiz will ban me immediately!!)


  64. crassus Says:

    “The plane’s creator, Anthony DuPont, has donated $36,000 to Hunter’s congressional campaigns.”

    $36k investment for a $63m payoff. Good work if you can get it.


  65. Wilco Says:

    Whitey, 8 foot Wilco is a lover, not a fighter.
    A petter, not a smasher.
    I’m more Bruce Banner than Hulk
    More Dr. Jekyll than Mr. Hyde
    But more Batman than Bruce Wayne (I’m not a billionaire)


  66. ronjazz Says:

    a military plane to be used to kill terrorists. Ironically, Toilet Paper is totally quiet when it comes to busting Democrats for their egregious pork offenses, such as Robert KKK Byrd making his senatorial career on bringing pork to WV!

    Comment by OReillyscareslibsbuthesanidiot — August 24, 2007 @ 3:28 pm

    it’s actually a military plane used to kill its pilots and crew. that’s why Hunter wanted it, he’s a Republican, and enjoys killing American soldiers.


  67. ronjazz Says:

    What happened to Ask not what your country can do for you….Ask what you can do for your country…

    Suppose to be in public service…not political gain…

    Comment by DONTBSHEEP — August 24, 2007 @ 3:57 pm

    We should ask what our country can do for us, or what’s the point? We’ve seen the rEpublicans make sure that they get the spoils of what we can do for our country, and they just engage in mass-murder, wholesale theft, and destruction of the Constitution. I was a big fan of JFK, but he got that one exactly backwards.


  68. Glenda Beck Says:

    -now to stop Dunkin’s crony’s plans for a screen- door submarine.


  69. whiteyfresh Says:

    deletion deleted.


  70. dbadass Says:

    What’s the status of the “Star wars” missile defense money pit?


  71. pete Says:

    The problem with the SB 2 is that, even if it met specification, it would not fulfill the needs of the military. And, of course, that money and R&D could have been used for body armor, armored vehicles, or a couple new helicopters.

    On the plus side, they killed the program before it became as big a boondogle as the TFX/F-111 or even the B-1.


  72. ron Says:

    You can claim this is a republican problem, but in almost every case you can follow the money of both partys and their earmarks and say this is a political problem for anyone who pays taxes. We need to vote out anyone (republicans and dems) who continue misguided earmarks. Why must we have spending for museums etc added to a farm bill or a transportation bill. Irresponsible spending by both partys is going to bankrupt this country


  73. WaltTheMan Says:

    At least, my name was not nulled!


  74. WaltTheMan Says:

    It was nulled on the forth post.


  75. WaltTheMan Says:

    A fifth attemp failed!


  76. Raven Says:

    Comment by WaltTheMan

    You’re having almost as much trouble as Duncan’s airplane!

    :)


  77. upside00 Says:

    Dunkin Donutz took his pork lessons from Teddy “bridge to nowhere and add-a-floor-to-my-house-for-free” Stevens. The best teacher in congress.

    I am sure the people of SoCal are SOOO proud of this scumbag!


  78. WaltTheMan Says:

    Now the comment that can not be posted is a duplicate!


  79. ForTruth Says:

    What? The Osprey?


  80. Lora Says:

    Hunter for President (of Iraq or North Korea)!


  81. old hack Says:

    is it called the spruce goose 2?


  82. Dennis Says:

    I am new to this site and I see a lot of complaning about the people running for office. I am basicly a Edwards man but I don’t think he can win a general election,however the main point is to get power back to the Democrats, yes with all their falts they are still the best hope that we as a nation have, so letts be real and vote for the one likely to be elected which to my dismay is Hillary but vote to get these crooks out of officem send them to jail, and start to fix this country


  83. gejo Says:

    Great more money down the drain.

    Or better yet, in the pockets of campaign donors.

    I would think that the fact that this plane would not be able to fly, would have been evident years ago.
    The company should have to reimburse the country of the money it took while developing this piece of s*#t.


  84. an old vet Says:

    Wouldn’t it be great if this Hunter guy cared more about his country than he did about feeding useless contracts to his campaign contributors?
    I like to vote independent, which to me means vote for the candidates and the issues, and not the party. However, today, it seems the Republicans are thoroughly corrupt and incompetent, and also they really prefer to use smear and spin rather than logic and reason. Too bad, we could really use some logic and reason in our debates. If only one side is addressing reality, the other side loses by default. Maybe this is Bush’s and Rove’s true legacy, the death of the Republican party.


  85. cindy Says:

    The government gets more profit from gasoline taxes than the oil corporations do per gallon



Jump to Top

About Think Progress | Contact Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy (off-site) | RSS | Donate
© 2005-2008 Center for American Progress Action Fund
View Most Popular

Advertisement


Visit Our Affiliated Sites

image image
What We're About

Featured

image
Subscribe to the Progress Report




Got a hot tip?
Have a hot news tip? We'd love to hear from you. Use the form below to send us the latest.

Name:
Email:
Tip:
(required)



Reports

imageTopic Cloud


imageArchives


imageBlog Roll