Oklahoma Dirt Farmer-Concrete Industrial Complex

[Mark]

When, after serving 1 1/2 terms, Truman gave his farwell speech on television to the nation. He warned of the military-industrial complex. This phrase describes how the military and the companies manufacturing their gear were feeding off each other. They were too close. It was too easy to scare the government into larger military budgets and the companies made sure any general in charge of a weapons development program got their weapon good or bad approved. For example, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle was a famous debacle that never worked as promised. HBO make a great movie on that boondoggle. Anywhoo, with the Channels the two things they'll need is dirt and concrete. So, someone out there name names. I need a dirt farmer with something to hide and a concrete company with connections thy would rather not mention.

[sgrizzle]

The movie referenced:

Pentagon Wars

I've watched it like 5 times. It's hilarious.

[waterboy]

First off Mark, I believe it was Eisenhower who warned of the military industrial complex. He was a better president than most of us realized at the time.

Secondly, I am confused as to your implications. Are you being sarcastic? Of course it takes concrete,dirt and steel to build things. Any plan for development of the river, downtown or wherever will require basic building materials. The channel islands will have no problem finding fill material as the widening of the river will require excavating. Part of the economic boon to the community from development comes from the actual construction of the projects and the ripple effect that employment brings. Perhaps Conan could comment on who the players might be but likely they will be local and well known. BTW I have no dirt or concrete interests other than a broken up driveway.

As far as insider money to be made from Channels proposals you would be hard pressed to find any. I couldn't say about the other plans. Most of the interest I see at meetings is from engineering firms hoping to bid on some of the work and government bureaucrats whose areas will be impacted. Honestly, I don't see any analogy to Eisenhower's warnings.

[Oil Capital]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

First off Mark, I believe it was Eisenhower who warned of the military industrial complex. He was a better president than most of us realized at the time.

Secondly, I am confused as to your implications. Are you being sarcastic? Of course it takes concrete,dirt and steel to build things. Any plan for development of the river, downtown or wherever will require basic building materials. The channel islands will have no problem finding fill material as the widening of the river will require excavating. Part of the economic boon to the community from development comes from the actual construction of the projects and the ripple effect that employment brings. Perhaps Conan could comment on who the players might be but likely they will be local and well known. BTW I have no dirt or concrete interests other than a broken up driveway.

As far as insider money to be made from Channels proposals you would be hard pressed to find any. I couldn't say about the other plans. Most of the interest I see at meetings is from engineering firms hoping to bid on some of the work and government bureaucrats whose areas will be impacted. Honestly, I don't see any analogy to Eisenhower's warnings.

Yes, it was Eisenhower, not Truman

[Mark]

Thanks for the Eisenhower correction. With DSL and the Internet there is no excuse for a misquote. I was late and being cocky.

Anywhoo:

What if we lobbied for Federal Funds and built the most afvanced Nanotechnology Fabrication/R&D Facility. Here's a link that explains why Nanotech is not limited to the coasts.
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/feb2005/tc20050223_5971_tc204.htm

The Universities would share it. We would still go with the Master River Plan. The construction would have the money multiplier effect plus the money multiplier effect from companies leasing time in the nanofab for their research. I believe Cornell is able to cover its operating costs through the leasing the fab to business.

Combine this nanofab with scholarships to Tulsa's universities for post-grads and grads whom want to get into the nano industry. Now our money multiplier has a longer term and creates the "knowledge worker" which seems to be what every city is fighting for. I'd rather give $50mln in scholarships to study nanotech and agree to the extent possible find work in Tulsa  than 50mln in handouts.

I still want to make downtown Tulsa a truly unique place. However, If we can build the premier nanfab facility in the US and offer nano scholarships, Tulsa can stop prostituting itself so much to these asymetrically large employers. A city's portfolio of employers should be just like a good portfolio of stocks or mutal funds. Balanced across industries, and the globe. The city should  also diversify against one dominant large employer. That entity will always have leverage with the city in a time of need.

Thanks again
Mark

[waterboy]

Its been said before on these pages, Tulsa's biggest problem has been the loss of quality jobs. Not as sexy to promote plans like nanofab but I am part of the minority that believes that we must provide the quality jobs or at least the atmosphere for those jobs before we become a serious consideration for the increasingly popular YP population.  What good is it to live in a cool destination if you can't find new generation work?

[Conan71]

I dunno, the Gov't is putting $5 bil a year into nano-tech, sounds like more corporate welfare that can be pulled out at some point.  I'm just wondering if nano-tech is so viable why there isn't more private investment in it?

[shadows]

Tulsa liken the rest of the country has turned to corporate socialism where the permanent bureaucrats are the spoke-persons for the corporations.  Follow the money in perks that are paid corporations to move to Tulsa.  When the time limit runs out the corporation’s relocate again taking the best offer.  Tulsa’s citizens are becoming the poorer as the workers of these companies move to the suburbs with their subsidized pay.  As it has happened before the hot air balloons will run out of fuel.   In the ashes of the Phoenix lie the government of the people.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by shadows

Tulsa liken the rest of the country has turned to corporate socialism where the permanent bureaucrats are the spoke-persons for the corporations.  Follow the money in perks that are paid corporations to move to Tulsa.  When the time limit runs out the corporation’s relocate again taking the best offer.  Tulsa’s citizens are becoming the poorer as the workers of these companies move to the suburbs with their subsidized pay.  As it has happened before the hot air balloons will run out of fuel.   In the ashes of the Phoenix lie the government of the people.

Long time, no see.