"Peace for Ashkalon?"

I know.  They have some other name for this one.  Yes.  The Palestinians are idiots for firing rockets into Israel.  The Israelis want revenge.  I understand that, but this seems a bit excessive.

Gaza is a small, very populated place.  Anyone who has been there knows that you can't throw a lot of air ordnance into Gaza without killing a great many civilians.  Any idea that you can do "surgical strikes" in Gaza is either egregious or intentionally deceptive.  The effect here is something like the bombing of London, Rotterdam or Guernica.

Golda Meir used to say that there are no Palestinians ony "South Syrians."   This punitive air offensive in Hannukah is either ineptly timed or eerily ironic when considered in the context of the story of the Maccabees.  Maybe it just reflects contempt for the Palestinians?  How dare they elect these "illegitimate" "Khamas teghoghist"s (quoting the lovely Livni).  Why is it that a native speaker of Hebrew can't pronounce Hamas correctly?  I am told that there is an aspirated "H" in Hebrew.

So far it sounds to be a Douhet style aerial attempt to bghaek the will of the Aghabs a la all over Lebanon in '06.  The Palestinians (like the Lebanese then) have no anti-air defense to speak of so the bombing part should be pretty easy.  The "will breaking" part always eems to be a little difficult. Has the IDF-AF lost any aircraft yet?  This is always a good indicator of what is really happening.

So, they are going to beat up Gaza; 21 days to Obamaland (this should tie his hands!), Natanyahu leading in the polls, a good chance to put some space between the Americans and those pesky Muslims, an opportunity to prove that the IDF hasn't lost its wog bashing mojo. 

Will there be a ground effensive into Gaza?  I dunno.  Have the Hamasniks been digging in Hezbullah style?  You tell me.  pl

http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKTRE4BR1RW20081228

Comments

[Lysander]

I'm not a military man, but it seems Gaza has zero depth, is flat and entirely indefensible, except in an urban setting which would bring Palestinian into the 10s of thousands. Beirut 1982 all over again.

This wont have the same result as Lebanon '06 since Hamas really can't force the Israelis to pay a price the way Hizb did.

Indeed, I suspect much of this Attack is precisely because Gaza is a much easier target than Lebanon. The Israelis are taking out the frustrations of the 2006 war in Gaza in much the same way a pathetic man beats his wife after a bad day at work.

But to speak of this in military terms is to give credence to the idea it is a "war." This is a prison uprising, where the guards have machine guns and the inmates have sharpened objects. And the prisoners have been on 1/4 rations for a year or two.

Full disclosure; I'm Egyptian by birth. And Egypt's government, shooting at fleeing Palestinians today, is one of the greatest criminals in this whole affair.

[curious]

Last neocon hurrah..
but the damage will last for at least another 2-3 yrs.

Bush last gift to the free world before leaving office. Further painting america as neocon's tool.

Naturally, we can expect Hamas to retaliate with something big. Or if Israel decide to invade gaza, a long and bloody low intensity war ala Lebanon.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aQgOMa1Te4Gw&refer=worldwide

Hamas Must End Its Attacks on Israel, Restore Cease Fire, White House Says The Bush administration is calling on Islamic militants who control the Gaza Strip to halt rocket attacks on Israel and restore the cease-fire that expired on Dec. 19.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aTJYnjR_5Z1g&refer=worldwide

Israel May Call Up Army Reserves After Second Day of Air Strikes on Hamas Israel’s cabinet agreed to call up as many as 7,000 army reservists, signaling that two days of air raids on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip may be followed by a ground invasion to halt rocket attacks.

[Jose]

Message to Obama: "You are either with us, or against us."

Funny this came after Shimon Peres issued a "warning" to Obama:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i3ZZQftJo3aRSNKgfx9Ian6bznFA

Hopefully this is the Neocons last gasp at power and Obama can see through this madness through American interest rather than those impose from abroad.

[J]

Colonel,

Israel's actions towards the Palestinians are nothing short of a Nazi Bully! What Israel is doing is a War Crime and Crime Against Humanity as they are 'collective punishing' the Palestinians. The German Nazis pioneered the modern use of "collective punishment" against innocent civilians. The Germans wiped out whole villages in Czechoslovakia, in France, in Lithuania, and in Greece in retaliation for attacks on German forces. The individuals responsible for the collective punishment atrocities were tried as war criminals. Israel's military command staff needs to face the same War Crimes prosecution as the German Nazi Third Reich did.

[Mike Martin, Yorktown, VA]

Is this the foreign policy "test" that Biden warned would happen w/in six months?

With the current administration apparently well & truly FIGMO, perhaps this is a chance for Obama to "prove his love" for the Israelis. I recall that AIPAC was about the first stop he made after announcing his candidacy.

Very difficult to disagree w/ other comments re this being the work of the neocons/Likudniks.

[Eliot]

Using air power to break the will of the enemy? This really is first rate madness.

If Guernica didn't prove that idiocy then the Second World War certainly did.

[William R. Cumming]

Really far more than a message to Obama. Really message to Americans generally but again won't be read and understood. World politics generally is now all about American life and decision making and influence. With foreign nationals now on Congressional staff, little policing of foreign campaign contributions by the FEC and others the name of the game is to lobby and influence the US and hope to hope that some fools errand like the Georgian fiasco doesn't unloose the US ability to search and destroy even if not to repair and recover or establish democracy. Amazing that the most educated of the Arabs, the Palestinians, and the most knowledgeable about the US (Israel) and a country with many US passports and dual citizens could not wait to provide fodder for a new cut of the salami that hopefully would draw in the new administration. After all as far as I know the first IDF veteran will serve as Chief-of-Staff to be in the White House and leading Israeli candidates are often born and raised in the US, so hey why not try and manipulate the Americans? Time to manipulate back. Force the wealthy ARAB nations to provide jobs, medical care, housing and opportunity to all Palestinins by offering dual citizenship in their own countries. Prohibit dual citizenship for all US citizens so that people have to decide finally whether they are or are not worthy of everything from the ultimate sacrifice for America's future or to commit to the US future. Guarantee the '48 borders of Israel. And the Israel pattern of adopting collateral damage linguistics (as have the Palestinians) should be put to an end as well as the practice. The Israeli reliance on Airpower is as ridiculous as that of the US. We are captives of our own armaments as are the Israelis. Oh yes, and help internationalize and police weapons pouring into the GAZA strip through tunnels and smuggling. Only the innocent are the victims of this charade and personally I don't believe there are degrees of innocence. You are or you are not. Both Israelis and Palestinians again are trying to jerk around the US. Time to isolate the tumor for good. If the Arab nations won't help then the US should explain that it cannot help anymore to prevent the revolutions and turmoil underlying the surface in most of the Islamic world. If we are going to help out where needed most it is for the 900 Million people of Sub-Sahara Africa. The 1.9 Billion worshipers of Islam (some clearly in Black Africa) can find more to do than pick on the residue of the holocust which unfortunately worked only too well. A note for the record, the current release of the movie Valkerie indicates that assassination efforts may well sometimes be in a good cause. Let's make sure that the peacemakers in Israel, the GAZA, and the US live. That is the US role. Not spurring on dubious militarism and violence. The LIKUD are NOT peacemakers. Nor are HAMAS.

[Patrick Lang]

lysander

Ruined towns and cities make wonderful defensive terrain. pl

[mo]

There are no words.

The world looked on as Israel cut off food, medicine, fuel and all essential supplies from the Gazans and then blamed the Gazans for their suffering.

When the Gazans see that the world will do nothing to alleviate their plight they try to fight back, with pathetic little rockets and the world looks on and blame the Gazans for the bombings that are killing indiscriminately.

The world has told the Gazans that they mean nothing; Are worth nothing.

They have been abandoned by the "moral" West. They have been abandoned and betrayed by the leaders of their Arab "brethren".

And then the world will wonder what it is exactly that makes these young Muslim men so angry.

There is a clear and obvious plan, a plan that involves the West, Israel, Jordan, Saudi and Egypt. This is the beginning of the end game. A zero-sum game. But it won't turn on the battlefield. Hamas in not Hizballah and has none of the advantages Hizballah has. And Hizballah won't be able to come to Hamas' aid this time. Its own political positiion is too precarious for that. But last week, some Katyusha rockets were discovered only minuted from blast off in Southern Lebanon, indicating that Israel is trying to set a pre-text for expanding this little jaunt.

So the only people that can make this operation fail will be the people of the Arab world and specifically of Egypt and Jordan (the Saudis in general don't give a damn). Will they go to the streets in enough numbers? Will they be loud and angry enough to scare their governments?

Sadly, the answer is no.

[Jon Tupper]

I say Obama send Colin Powell, Richard Armitage, and several other large combat veterans who can also speak several languages softly and emphatically both to Israel immediately, off the record, to say "cease and desist". That's stunad because Pilate Cheney and his Parliament own the world (horizontal plane) and we the people can only rely on the true spiritual light (vertical plane) to have faith that somehow the crucifixion will be allayed.

I am livid that the Israelis are standing where they are and saying what they are saying. It is incendiary. And they act like they are entitled.

There is nothing to do to stop the insanity of human self destruction save to be the change I wish to see, as Gandhi said. And be willing to follow B. Bhutto much as I do not want to do that. And what does self immolation get? Really? It is in the Hands of a Power Greater Than US, I hope.

All those who have only free market non constitutional Americanism at heart, from Cheney to Yoo, need visit Leavenworth, without protection. Of course they will not as there is no will to do that here and no Telford Taylor to carry it out. We have no moral compass to say to corporations: stand down - youth are too profligate and self absorbed. The Christians, of whatever stripe, are too involved in their own insular views and communities to foster a Daniel Berrigan, much less a Dietrich Bonhoeffer. American culture is victimized by our own success: iPods and Blackberries; movies and music; professional sports. Its our way and who cares. Our Marines will defend it. If you're not on board, heaven help you.

Send this out as a broadsheet and prove me wrong.

[pbrownlee]

May have much more to do with appearing "strong" and outflanking Netanyahu/Likud and the menagerie of ludicrous "coalition" ministers since it is virtually inconceivable that the dud rocket "barrages" will cease.

"Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni vowed on Sunday to end Hamas's rule in the Gaza Strip if she is elected prime minister in a February election.

"The state of Israel, and a government under me, will make it a strategic objective to topple the Hamas regime in Gaza,' Livni told members of her centrist Kadima party. 'The means for doing this should be military, economic and diplomatic.'

"The barrage of Qassam rocket fire(d) by Gaza militants and what Israel's response should be dominated the discussion at Sunday's weekly cabinet meeting.

"Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said during the opening of the meeting that the government had agreed to the cease-fire with Hamas last June with little doubt or hesitation.

"Israel has always hoped for and wanted quiet for the residents of the south and that they should enjoy genuine calm and be free of the threat of unceasing Qassam and mortar attacks that have disrupted life in the south for a very long period,' Olmert said.

"During the meeting, politicians from across the political spectrum pointed fingers at and criticized one another over the deteriorating situation along Israel's border with the coastal territory.

"Vice Premier Haim Ramon also on Sunday said that there is no need for a wider operation in Gaza, but that Hamas must be removed from power.

"Ramon, Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz and others harshly criticized Defense Minister Ehud Barak's handling of the situation.

"I suggest that the person sitting on the 14th floor of the Defense Ministry wake up from the illusion that the cease-fire is good for Israel,' Mofaz told Army Radio. 'It is time to act. What are we waiting for? What else needs to happen? Are we waiting for children to die, for people to be injured?'

"Mofaz continued by saying that the fact that Gilad Shalit is still being held captive by Hamas is the heavy price Israel has already paid for the truce, which was brokered by Egypt.

"Barak and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called for calm at the meeting. 'I won`t compete with hysterical voices [over Israel`s action in Gaza],' said Olmert. He added that he, Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni have discussed the situation in depth.

"A responsible government is neither eager for battle, nor does it shy away from it," said Olmert. 'We will take the necessary measures with the necessary responsibility. I will not go into detail about the steps; neither will I raise the volume, since this has no bearing on reality, but only on the atmosphere that cannot be a basis for the conduct of government policy, especially during this sensitive and important time.'

"During the meeting on Sunday, Barak asked Olmert to call for quiet.

"We are listening to and feel the pain of those living in southern Israel,' Barak said, 'but some of the impassioned voices are harmful, unnecessary and hurt our endurance."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1048556.html

Not just the Qassams are duds -- Livni is yet another -- as her colleague Rice has noted with, presumably, unconscious irony:

"Little did I know how intertwined our lives and work would become. Last May, Tzipi, like me, became the second woman ever to hold her nation's top foreign policy job. Those early months were anything but easy: violence in Gaza, a war in Lebanon, a radical President in Iran. Tzipi's strength to endure, indeed to excel, in what were difficult, often heartbreaking, conditions was a testament to her character.

"Tzipi and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have the foresight to know that a Palestinian state is in Israel's greatest interest, and that they must pursue the cause of peace with their Arab neighbors. President Bush and I deeply share this goal. And for Tzipi and me, it is now the focus of our work together.

"Tzipi has not just been my colleague; she has become my friend. We have sat together for hours debating ideas—freely, openly, even combatively at times. I have learned of her deep pride in her children. We share an abiding respect for our now deceased fathers—mine, a successful son of the old segregated American South; hers, a defender of the Jewish homeland in its first days of independence.

"Tzipi, 48, is a woman of conviction, intelligence and peace. I deeply respect her. I like being around her. And I know that long after we have both exited the world stage, we'll still be friends."

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1595326_1615513_1614647,00.html

Yes, adults can attempt to communicate in this cloddish "what I did in my summer vacation" manner without a glimmer of intelligence or spark of wit.

Livni is now telling the BBC that the Gazan operation is a success (without, of course, saying -- or being asked -- what metrics she is using -- other than bluster, naturally) and with her characteristic smirk that is even more inappropriate than usual.

Perhaps the only terrorists to take advantage of the holidays/POTUS interregnum are state terrorists...

[john stack]

We sit and watch the murder of civilians by a Jewish state and complain that nothing can be done. The USA has failed and in fact is supporting the crimes
Firstly we must now boycott all Israeli goods.
Secondly everyone NOW call on Mr Putin and Russia to lead non USA forces to a "World with Peace and Justice" :-
A) occupy Israel and disarm her nuclear and conventional forces
B) Guarantee her 1967 Borders
C) Call a meeting thro the UN that the USA cannot veto to agree a long term solution to the Area
This solution will have the agreement of all decent Countries and US citizens who want to keep their taxes to pay for education and health. The USA has lost its mandate to police the world.

[trstone]

I remember sitting on my patio watching the Isrealies bomb Beirut in '82 and thinking that this is the 20th century and problem solving is not done with bombs. I guess I was wrong, as it is now the 21st century and Isreal's problem solving skills haven't evolved.

My real question is, how does this latest over response advance America's interest in the ME and how are we ever going to perceived as the champion of justice and all those other ideals we bleat about when our "friends" act like they did in biblical times?

[Mad Dogs]

Shorter Israelis: "Our solution to our problem is that the hole must be deeper. Dig! Dig! Dig!"

[J]

How do we know that Palestinans fired rockets into Israel? And they expect U.S. to take Israel's word for it?
Every time I hear about the Palestinans doing this and that, I am reminded by the picture of a purported masked Hamas type figure demonstrating against Israel, and when one examines the photo closely, one finds that a star of david necklace being worn by the purported Hamas demonstrator.

[eakens]

The Israelis seem to be laying the groundwork for a conflict beyond Gaza. Given what happened during the war with Lebanon, it is difficult to imagine the public and military psyche in Israel would be well oiled for another adventure.

Unfortunately for the Palestinians, they will pay the price for the repairs.

...also interesting is that a week ago the Israelis expelled the UN's chief human rights official, Richard Falk.

[J]

Ran across this one on the net, and it fits the current Israeli agression to a 't' --

How would America and Americans react if we were under a foreign military occupation. Them saying it was the will of their god to do it would hardly find an accepting ear. Oh "god" told you to kill my children and demolish my house, oh well in that case it's oK.... Not going to happen.

[Peter]

If a ground assault really occurs, I'm quite certain that it will result in a sea of Gazan blood, much worse than the already barbaric blockade and air assault. The Gazans, poor souls, are in an infinitely weaker situation than the Lebanese.

[Jose]

Sorry for second post, but found this interesting debate:

http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/insidestory/2008/12/2008122675140769780.html

[doug]

I don't think this is about Gaza, but rather Iran which is seen as an existential threat in Israel. Peres also said Israel would not attack Iran. That only leaves one candidate for the job. Gaza is one lever. How it is intended to be applied, an interesting area of speculation.

[Arun]

Off-topic - there is a rumor (see orbat.com) that India is preparing to offer to the US a 120,000 troops deployment to Afghanistan. I think such a deployment of necessity requires Iranian cooperation.

What does this do to the South Asian situation?

[J]

Colonel,

Israel's 'collective punishment' of the Palestinians needs to be stopped, and their IDF military command staff and civilian leadership tried under the same standards that we tried the German Nazi Third Reich for their war crimes.

We as a nation cannot allow a double standard to exist, and remain credible that is.

Israel's actions are one of a thug, not a professional military.

[Cold War Zoomie]

I'm absolutely stumped. Most topics that Col Lang brings up here will ignite even a faint spark of ideas in the old noggin. But our relationship with Israel and the consequences of that relationship are beyond my understanding. What do we gain?

The need for Realpolitik during the Cold War at least makes sense to me regardless of my views. What benefit is there for us to continue supporting Israel now, especially during our own financial meltdown?

It is completely over my head.

(I've tried to understand. I really have.)

[SubKommander Dred]

"an opportunity to prove that the IDF hasn't lost its wog bashing mojo."

A more descriptive phrase of what's going on in Gaza I have yet to see...

Dred

[TJ Scully]

Cui Bono, Col, Lang.... Cui Bono...

Report: 19 Israeli families control one-third of the economy ...The total income of the nineteen richest families in Israel was NIS 248 ... 61 percent of the income of these 19 families - up from 54 percent in 2005 ...
www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/884060.html

Obama Tries to Smooth Jewish-Black Relations and Quell Incorrect Stories About His Faith

...."Obama replied that Brzezinski is an informal, not a key, adviser, and "I do not share his views with respect to Israel. He said he has other foreign policy advisers....who share his belief that Israel has to remain a Jewish state with special ties to the U.S. and that the Palestinians have been irresponsible. And he said critics' e-mails never mention Lester Crown, a member of his national finance committee who is "considered about as hawkish and tough when it comes to Israel as anybody in the country.""
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/WireStory?id=4449809&page=3

Boeing and General Dynamics report strong quarterly profit ...Apr 23, 2008 ... General Dynamics, the largest producer of armored vehicles for the ... "Both results from Boeing and General Dynamics look very good," said ...
www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/23/business/boeing.php

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/premium/0286/0286-10808589.html
William J. Haynes II sworn in as General Counsel.
M2 Presswire - AccessMyLibrary.com - Jun 5, 2001
William J. Haynes II was sworn in as the general counsel of the Department ... associate general counsel, General Dynamics Corp. from 1996-1999 and general ..."

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/premium/0286/0286-28327912.html
Global Security Institute/.
PR Newswire - AccessMyLibrary.com - Sep 26, 2000
... read "Lester Crown, Chairman of the Board's Executive Committee, General Dynamics Corporation," rather than "Lester Crown, Chairman, General Dynamics ...

William J. Haynes II. General Counsel Department of Defense ... Mr. Haynes twice was a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Jenner & Block ... as staff vice president and associate general counsel of General Dynamics Corporation, ...
www.dod.mil/dodgc/gc/gcbio.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/22/BUGC14SMVV.DTLTuesday, December 23, 2008

"Report rips ex-Defense counsel, now at Chevron
Andrew S. Ross
......The Journal's editorial and the GOP letter came a day after a New York Times editorial, which said the Senate report provides "a strong case for bringing criminal charges against ... Rumsfeld; his legal counsel, William J. Haynes; and potentially other top officials." The editorial doubted that such a step would be taken, but hoped the incoming Obama administration would "appoint an independent panel to look into these and other egregious violations of the law."..."

http://books.google.com/books?um=1&q=evica+jenner+crown&btnG=Search+Books
And We are All Mortal: New Evidence and Analysis in the John F. Kennedy ...‎ - Page 388
by George Michael Evica - 1978 - 465 pages

"The Jenner-Henry Crown connection alone should have suggested conflict of
interests to those responsible for selecting the Warren , Commission's counsel,.."

http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/bitstream/2041/49687/b17f24-0114zdisplay.pdf#search=\'\'
DREW PEARSON MERRY-GO-ROUND, RELEASE MOEDAY, JAN. 14, 1963

"(CAPS) SENATE PROBES B I G CONTRACT AWARD TO
GENERAL DYNAMICS j WAS CONTRACT INFLUENCED BY COL. CROWN'S POLITICAL
CONTRIBUTIONS?; WAS IT FOR PURPOSE OF BAILING OUT COMPANY IN
DISTRESS? (END CAPS)
WASHINGTON.--SENATE RACKETS CHAIRMAN JOHN MCCLELLAN, WHO HAS BEEN
INVESTIGATING LABOR RACKETEERS9 HAS TURNED TO THE PROBE OF A
$62,000,000 RESEARCH CONTRACT TC7 GENERAL DYNAMICS6 HE HAS EVEN ASKED
THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT TO HOLD UP THE CONTRACT UNTIL HIS INVESTIGATORS
CAN LAY THEIR CARDS ON THE TABLE.....

.....EFFECTIVE IN THE BACK ROOMS, CROWN IS CREDITED WITH HOOKING THE DESPERATELY NEEDED CONTRACT."

http://news.google.com/archivesearch?q=worked+over+the+plans+for+convair&cid=8432408076484745&hl=en&um=1&sa=N&cid=8432408076484745
Possibility of a Johnson Role in TFX Contract Raised by Senator at... - New York Times - Nov 20, 1963
The fact that the winning contractor plans to do most of the production of ... and inconsequential examples" of hia work for General Dynamics over two and ...

Deputy Says TFX Choice ' Right One ' WASHINGTON (#> ) —...
Daily Collegian (1940 - 1987) - Penn State University - Nov 19, 1963
... I - ed Read Findings Gilpatric said he read a - page summary of findings by Navy and Air Force experts on the competing bids over the weekend of Nov. ...

GILPATRIC'S ROLE IN TFX QUESTIONED; McClellan Raises an Issue of... - New York Times - Nov 19, 1963
... from the initial order of 23 planes may rise to $8 billion or $9 billion. ... denied that he had intended to equate his work for the two companies. ...

http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/bitstream/2041/50074/b18f08-1123xdisplay.pdf
"DREW PEARSON MERRY-GO-ROUND, RELEASE SAT,, NOV, 23, 1963 JACK ANDERSON

WASHINGTON--IT WILL BE interesting TO SEE WHETHER SEN, JOHN MCCLELLAN, D-ARK,, REALLY tries to find OUT HOW MUCH BOBBY BAKER
KNOWS ABOUT THE TFX CONTROVERSY, THE STERN SENATE Investigation CHAIRMAN HAS PROMISED TO LOOK INTO published reports THAT BAKER

THREATENED T O EXPOSE SOME TFX SKULDUGGERY if his OWN GET-RICH-QUICK activities ARE scrutinized TOO CLOSELY, MCCLELLAN'S investigators WILL HAVE quite a trail TO FOLLOW. BUT IF THEY FOLLOW IT CAREFULLY IT WILL TAKE THEM THROUGH THE QUORUM CLUB, WHICH BOBBY FOUNDED, AND LEAD THEM IN THE direction of Vice President LYNDON JOHNSON.

Long Before the TFX contract was awarded to General Dynamics, the lobbyists and contractors has begun pulling and tugging on every
possible political string to land this biggest military contract with the Kennedy administration -- $5,600,000,000.

General Dynamic's board chairman, Henry Crown, slipped around Washington buttonholing Politicians he knew. One was Lyndon Johnson.

Crown, who contributed money to Eisenhower and Nixon in 1952 and 1956 when they were certain to win, hedged his political bets in
1960 by putting money on both sides. He also took pains to put $1,000 behind LBJ's campaign for the democratic nomination. The
vice president had friends at General Dynamics' Ft. Worth plant and was anxious to have the contract go to Texas."

http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50D16FE3F5B1A7B93C7A81789D95F478685F9
TFX Inquiry Seems Ended as McClellan Delays Hearings indefinitely;..
New York Times - Dec 15, 1963
Senator John L. McClellan has indefinitely postponed hearings on the TFX airplane contract. The Arkansas Democrat, who is chairman of the Senate Permanent ...

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,909713,00.html
The Colonel's Second Battle
Nov. 02, 1970
Few episodes in his half-century as an industrialist and financier have made Chicago's Henry Crown prouder than the work he did a decade ago at General Dynamics Corp. As executive committee chairman he helped manage the company's recovery from a $435 million loss on its Convair jetliners; it was the largest financial setback on a single product line ever sustained by a U.S. corporation.

http://news.google.com/archivesearch?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tab=wn&q=john+j+crown+jenner
People
Pay-Per-View - Chicago Tribune - ProQuest Archiver - Aug 11, 1969
John J. Crown, vice president of Henry Crown & Co. and a partner in the law firm of Jenner & Block, was elected a director of the...

John J. Crown, judge, philanthropist
- Chicago Sun-Times - NewsBank - Mar 6, 1997
John J. Crown, 67, a former Cook County Circuit Court judge and youngest son of ... In 1959, he joined the law firm of Jenner & Block. ...

http://www2.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1996/11/18/BU49588.DTL&hw=assassinated&sn=009&sc=442
How Kennedy Assassination Affected Some Stock Prices

JONATHAN MARSHALL

"Nov. 18, 1996

....But the facts speak tellingly about how accidents of history can affect great fortunes.

A postscript for assassination buffs: No individual stood to lose more from the TFX scandal than Chicago investor Henry Crown, who owned 20 percent of General Dynamics. His personal attorney, Albert Jenner, became a senior staff attorney on the Warren Commission, in charge of investigating the possibility of a conspiracy..... "