Boeing-Airbus Competition Is Well Timed

Every Second Counts, but Not Literally

Today NPR's Morning Edition reported on the exit of Boeing's CEO, who had been having an affair with another Boeing muck-a-muck. The report suggested Boeing might have other problems as well, so the affair may not have been the only reason for Harry Stonecipher's departure. An aircraft-industry observer, speaking about Boeing's competitive battle with its transatlantic competitor Airbus, commented:

"Airbus is literally cleaning Boeing's clock."

If I were Boeing, I wouldn't let my industry archrival fool around with my clock. Airbus's corporate espionage people might be tinkering with the mechanism so that Boeing's entire work force, noting that the clock reads "5:00," actually goes home at 2:30. Or maybe the Hands of Time are weighing heavily on the Shoulders of Responsibility such that Boeing personnel, having Feet of Clay, can't work up a Head of Steam and eventually take up Arms of Enmity and try to throttle their managers by grasping their Necks of Spaghetti with Fingers of Fury....

You got a better explanation?