Friday, July 20, 2007

Le Shorter: Vox Versi

A steam pipe laid under the steets in 1924 explodes in New York injuring pedestrians and causing one fatality from a heart attack. Asbestos has been found in the dust released by the blast. Experts say the pipe is typical of aging urban infrastructure that needs replacement.
VERSUS
The Marine Corp is sending the V-22 Osprey into Iraq. Each complex, tilt rotor aircraft costs $22 million. It's development has been plagued by fatal crashes, cost overruns, and maintenance problems. Defense weapons testers say the aircraft is not suitable for low flying combat operations, and even Darth Cheney wanted to cancel the program when he was Secretary of Defense.