The Military, Industrial,------------ Complex.

I heard the Great-Granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower say the original version of perhaps his best-known speech included an expanded version of the phrase that became famous. Instead of "Military-Industrial Complex", the speech called for her Great-Grandfather to warn against the "Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex". She said it was removed, ironically enough, for fear of angering some members of Congress.

I thought about that as I read a story this morning on the big Air Force technology conference scheduled for Montgomery later this month. The meeting will contribute to the Capital City's economy and is an annual affair. But with the economy in the tank and the Federal Budget swelling ever more than usually out of control, is this the time for "business as usual" get together? Can't they stay home and meet electronically? Come to think of it, other than this week's capping of production of the F-22, what price has the military and industrial parts of the phrase paid for the sinking of the economy?

The Congressional part of the equation will be represented at the conference by Rep. Bobby Bright (BD- Montgomery), who voted on Thursday with a majority on the F-22 legislation that was part of the military spending authorization bill. Can we expect to hear him calling for slashing more weapons systems? Sure...but not at the Montgomery conference, and as long as there are no Alabama jobs involved.