No Tears for Boeing

[bigtree]

Matea Gold @mateagold
Meanwhile: Boeing pledges $1 million for Donald Trump's inaugural events http://usat.ly/2h2f8gp via @fschouten

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump’s Twitter attack on Boeing isn’t keeping the aircraft builder from writing a big check to back his inaugural festivities.

The company already had committed $1 million to help underwrite inaugural events when Trump took aim at the manufacturer this week, according to a Boeing official familiar with the planning, who requested anonymity to speak frankly about the discussions.

The donation matches the amount Boeing gave to President Obama’s 2013 inauguration, Federal Election Commission records show.

On Tuesday, Trump lashed out at the manufacturing giant on Twitter and called for the government to cancel its deal with Boeing to develop the next generation of Air Force One...

read: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/12/08/boeing-pledges-1-million-donald-trumps-inaugural-events/95164604/

[MADem]

1. "The company already had committed $1 million"

I don't understand what they could have done. You're suggesting they should be like Trump, and go back on their word?

They make their money from government contracts. They didn't want to make fish of one and flesh of the other--they gave the same money they gave to Obama.

They likely plan for it well in advance, and factor it into the cost of doing business.

Again, they committed the cash BEFORE Trump went nutso on them.

[bigtree]

2. this is how Trump is normalized

...yes, I want Boeing and everyone else to withdraw of all kinds of support for the advancement of Trump to the presidency.

No tears for their government contracts.

[MADem]

7. You normalize HIS behavior when you endorse behaving in assholish fashion like he does.

Boeing gives that money to the inaugural committee every four years. It's an established donation, and they've made the promise. Hillary's committee would be spending the money if life was fair.

You don't go back on your promises, unless your name is Trump.

[Dem2]

9. I have to agree with you here.

[MADem]

13. Michelle said it and we'd best not forget it-- when they go low, we go high.

The higher we go, the more down in the mud that orange blivet is shown to be.

[Dem2]

15. He really hates it when people hold their head high and don't react to his bloviating

His entire shtick is "outrage".

I agree, as difficult as it is, we shouldn't reward him with our outrage. A simple, determined "NO!" is what he needs, followed by calm lawyers pressing their sensible case in a court of law.

[MADem]

18. +1,000! nt

[bigtree]

11. the inauguration will be remembered alongside the advancement of other prominent fascists

...throughout history.

I'd be embarrassed to have anything to do with it, but Boeing.

Lol, at the outrage. I hear Trump plans a bigly extravaganza, helicoptering him in and everything. So much America there.

[MADem]

14. It will be remembered alongside the four inaugurations where the loser of the popular vote was

installed. Boeing donated to the most recent one of those, too, and the next one that the wee cowboy actually took, and the next two where one of our most popular POTUS's in history was feted.

Trump is on a downhill slide. He's hated already. Let him have his bloated display of excess. Who will he get to provide musical entertainment? Sheets and the Pointy Hoods?

Those who are trying to shut it down are the ones displaying 'outrage' here. Let him put his big orange foot in it.

The thing will speak for itself.

[bigtree]

17. that kind of fealty to the process is for politicians and sycophants

...not working-class citizens, like me.

I just can't relate to the excesses, even for Democratic inaugurations and their donors. It's beyond out of control. I don't think these people know or understand how the majority of us live out here. If you don't believe that's worth outrage...

I intend to oppose this man and his kleptocratic takeover at every opportunity. I'm not going to pretend this is normal.

[MADem]

20. Look, if you act like him, you're no better than him.

I intend to oppose him, too, but I'll do it with protest and support for institutions that oppose him using the law of the land. So really, stow that "politicians and sycophants" schtick--it's beneath you to name call or insinuate in that fashion. One can oppose without being a childish asshole. In fact, the more mature we are, the more childish he looks.

Playing his petty games only empowers him. Don't fall into that trap.

If Boeing took back that money they've given to EVERY POTUS in recent history, Trump would go from being an asshole who insults one of our nation's major aerospace industries, employing thousands, to a victim being put upon by a mean old corporation. It would also give him clout to "take revenge" on Boeing, with the potential to throw many of those employees out of work.

[bigtree]

21. you're arguing in favor of pay-for-play contributions

...and calling me a 'childish asshole' for objecting to that.

Lol, again, at the suggestion that corporations in America should genuflect before the president of the United States or be subject to some sort of retribution, no matter that he just tried to tank their stocks, just shut up and keep the money and gratuities flowing.

It's a wonder the workers get a moment's notice or care in any of that. Maybe take a moment and imagine the jobs that could benefit from that million, instead of being spent on the Trump production?

[MADem]

22. Wrong on both counts.

I am telling you that this is how it has been done and nothing will change so long as the GOP is in charge.

Corporations funded the last two Obama inaugurations--maybe you'll link to your posts here telling us what a travesty that was...? I just don't remember seeing you up on your high horse, protesting that...?

And I'm not calling YOU anything--but that's a cheap shot to try and twist my words so obviously to make it appear, falsely, that I am attacking you when I'm not. Really--that was a LOW tactic, very uncivil of you. If the shoe does not fit you, don't be so eager to try and cram it on your foot.

As for a million bucks, that's chickenfeed in the big picture. You could pay twenty people a salary of 50K for a year for that money....and then what would they do when the money runs out?

In order to give people work, they need to be employed in sustainable industry--not given handouts. Boeing, warts and all, is a premiere AMERICAN company that makes decent products and is a key element of our defense infrastructure. I don't think the employees there feel your affected concern for their well being.

[bigtree]

23. giving money to Trump's inauguration has nothing to do with the workers

...and everything to do with ingratiating the corporate executives with the new corporate president. Their cravenness stands out in subsidizing the Trump fete, even as he openly attacked them.

Bringing up Obama is ridiculous. I shouldn't have to wade through this trivializing and equalizing here to make a point about Trump, and the cravenness of Boeing. Maybe someone else here can take the time to explain to you the gulf between Boeing the corporation and Boeing 's workers.

[pangaia]

5. Well, when trump went nutso, if Boeing had any guts they would tell him to go fuck himself.

[MADem]

6. And behave just like Trump? Please. They gave their WORD. They do this for every inaugural.

Their pledge is to the office, not to the man.

That's a great business model you propose--promise to provide cash, then pull the rug out.

Sounds rather familiar, doesn't it? It's what that orange anus does as a matter of routine.

But it's not NORMAL.

An eye for an eye and the whole world is blind. Responsible people and businesses just don't behave that way.

[pangaia]

8. I disagree. This is NOT a normal situation and should not be treated as normal.

By ANYONE...

Being responsible in this case would be telling trump to take a hike, or, as I not so decorously put it, to go fuck himself.

[MADem]

10. It's not about him, it's about the office.

The check has probably already been cashed, anyway.

No sense in Boeing being churlish and childish, like Trump. They will gain nothing from that, and lose much, potentially.

Boeing is behaving as normal--they're giving their regular donation.

The one acting like an ass is Trump. Mention it, early and often.

[pangaia]

12. Well, we will just have to disagree.

[MADem]

16. Boeing has to make payroll--even if they don't pay generously to some workers.

I do not think the employees would appreciate their bosses telling the POTUS, who can kill -- or at least hurt, badly -- their entire organization with a swipe of his orange paw, to go fuck himself.

There are times to make a stand, and there are times when that's just ill-advised.

[pangaia]

3. I have a 2nd party Boeing story I could relate but it is tooo long.

Suffice it to say, a good friend of mine, an aerospace engineer who worked for a Boeing subsidiary in SoCal for 25 years was "furloughed". Boy, THAT'S a great word. He is about 54. Fun trying to get a job at THAT age.

After a year of hunting and with a wife and 3 year old son, Boeing rehired him but sent him to.. fucking Alabama-- Huntsville. You know RIGHT TO WORK!!! DUH !!!
(Apologies to Alabamians). I've been to Huntsville. Huntsville ain't no Pasadena..
I Know, I know.. don't be picky.. Well, you are right... But it's also sad that he and wife are very culturally astute.

But the issue is....

Much lower salary. They made HIM pay all moving expenses about $20,000. And would not guarantee even a year of employment.. Had to work for free for about 6 weeks while he was 'trained' for his new assignments. So far he's been lucky.. 1.5 years.

BTW, I gather he was one of the few who actually understood how the space shuttle engines work!
(One problem they had, he was the only one who could solve it and it took 5 years! But he did it. Two weeks later, they fired him.) Now they have him doing something with air frames, or skins, or wings, or something...

This is the short version...

So screw Boeing..

[bigtree]

4. they always soak the worker

...executive salaries and bonuses eating up most of the money the U.S. spends on these contracts. Boeing gets tax breaks to supposedly keep these jobs in state, like Carrier.

I support the aircraft workers unions.

[spanone]

19. well, they know how to make the king happy.

this country is fuuuuucked