Timing is everything. The exact minute (12:23 p.m.) the Associated Press moved a breaking news alert that the GAO had upheld Boeing’s protest on the aerial tanker contract, Northrop Grumman sent out a news release announcing the “Groundbreaking ceremony for the U.S. Air Force KC-45 Tanker Production Facilities” in Mobile, Ala. As Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast, my friend!”
Today’s decision means there may not be a KC-45. And if there is, it probably won’t fly anytime soon. If the Air Force does what the GAO suggests, reopen the bidding, it will be some time before any new tankers are flying. That’s unfortunate because the losers are the men and women who have to fly and service the ancient tankers the Air Force currently uses.
Before Boeing gets too giddy about today’s decision, remember that none of this would have happened if Boeing hadn’t screwed up the initial tanker deal in 2003.
Physicians this week agreed to support legislation that would ban the sale of tobacco products and/or byproducts in retail outlets housing store-based health clinics.
The American Medical Association wrapped up its policy-making meeting in Chicago this week, where member physicians defined the groups’ political and legislative agenda for the coming year.
If laws that support a no-tobacco policy as described above were enacted, stores such as Walgreens — which plans to open five retail health clinics here in Wichita by the end of the year — and other retail chains housing walk-in medical clinics (such as Target, Kroger and Wal-mart) would no longer be allowed to sell cigarettes to customers.
Ouch! I wonder how well that will sit with legislators and the tobacco and retail lobbies?
The association of physicians also voted to support many other legislative policies this year, including:
- Opposing the addition of flavors (such as vanilla, chocolate, mint and fruit that appeal to children) in cigarettes
- Protecting consumers from direct-to-consumer genetic testing. Doctors feel this should be supervised by a qualified health professional.
- Addressing the medical student debt burden. Upon graduation, the average medical student has a debt of $140,000, the association said, potentially hindering “bright students from considering medical careers,” AMA board member Chris DeRienzo said.
I had my earnest money ready to go and was going to head up the courthouse to place a bid on Wild West World this morning. Then I overslept. Darn the luck.
But not even a late start to the day will keep your morning dose of links away. So here you go.
- The Wall Street Journal reports President Bush asked Congress to lift bans on offshore oil drilling.
- Also in the Journal, Boeing says it may abandon plans to sell its tanker internationally if it loses its protest of the Air Force’s decision.
- The Kansas City Star says Kansas-based Garmin is going to sponsor a team in the Tour de France.
- Not sure how much of this is going on in Wichita, but CNBC looks into the growing popularity of telecommuting.
- It’s not just Ed McMahon and Evander Holyfield. On AOL is an Associated Press story about how a number of historic homes are facing foreclosure.
- For what it’s worth, 24/7 Wall St. has produced a list of the 10 worst managed companies in America. Among them are Sears, Starbucks and Sprint.