Shiftless and Lazy

Below is my correspondence with a defense industry writer for the WP (answered only after it was Cc:ed to the ombudsman) The response of the writer I find to be greatly annoying, as if my inquiry can be flippantly disregarded, based on their 'experience'. Anyone with 1/2 a brain would realize I was asking a baited question, and concoct a thoughtful response (or at least name sources) so as not to piss me off. It is on account of worthless reporters that generalize statements to fill columns that students can no longer use newspaper articles as source material for research projects.

Ms. Merle,

Being an employee for a private defense firm and responsible for responding to RFPs, FRQs, etc., there are a myriad of options for contract funding, including FFP, T&M, CPFF and the contract vehicles for acquisition award require specific details related to manyears, personnel/resumes, and COS. In many cases profits are fixed for the life of contracts, which span multiple lines of funding. In summation, to generalize R&D maximizes profits is a misstatement of fact, in light of varying contract options, and would require quotation for validation.


V/r,
Ryan

-----Original Message-----
From: Renae Merle
To: rrd96@aol.com; ombudsman@washpost.com
Sent: Mon, 7 Nov 2005 14:57:11 -0500
Subject: Re: Fwd: Inquiry regarding 'Military Ordered To Trim Budgets'



Mr. Drewniak,

Thanks for your interest. I have been covering the industry for several
years and that is the general consensus of company executives, industry
analysts, etc.

Renae
----------------------
Renae Merle
The Washington Post
phone: 202-334-7446
merler@washpost.com


rrd96@aol.com
To: merler@washpost.com
11/07/2005 02:45 cc:
PM Subject: Fwd: Inquiry regarding
'Military Ordered To Trim Budgets'





-----Original Message-----
From: RRD96
To: RRD96; merler@washpost.com
Cc: ombudsman@washpost.com
Sent: Sun, 06 Nov 2005 17:58:58 -0500
Subject: Re: Inquiry regarding 'Military Ordered To Trim Budgets'

To the ombudsman of the Washington Post,

I have yet to receive a response to an earlier email inquiring as to
the source of a quote regarding defense firm profitability. I was
hoping you could assist to rectify the situation to my satisfaction.

Regards,
Ryan Drewniak

-----Original Message-----
From: RRD96
To: merler@washpost.com
Sent: Fri, 04 Nov 2005 09:29:41 -0500
Subject: Inquiry regarding 'Military Ordered To Trim Budgets'

Good morning, Ms. Merle,

In your most recent article 'Military Ordered To Trim Budgets' I was
hoping you would provide clarification in response to the line (which
already contains a typographical error),

"The military's procurement and research and development programs,
from which defense companies most of their profits, are considered
vulnerable, especially those that are behind schedule or over budget."

What research did you perform to confirm R&D efforts reap defense
companies the highest profits?

Thank you for your time, I look forward to a response,

V/r,