Boeing's big contract loss prompts jingoistic outburst

When the Air Force bypassed American plane maker Boeing last month and awarded one of the biggest defense contracts ever to a group that includes European-based Airbus, the outcry was predictable.

A French-made U.S. warplane? It's enough to make you choke on your freedom fries.

Members of Congress from Washington state and Kansas, where Boeing has plants, were furious about the outcome for the $35billion contract to build the next generation of aerial refueling tankers. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., growled that "the Air Force has made a big mistake." Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., wondered whether Americans would "lose our ability to build airplanes on American soil." Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., railed that it was wrong "to require our military personnel to learn to speak French to be able to operate our refueling tankers."

Let's take a deep breath here and consider a few ...