I have just been watching a portion of the BRAC hearings from last Wednesday, covering the possible closing of Submarine Base, New London.

Of course, any round of base closings is quite controversial. And some of the arguments are quite specious. Yesterday, I heard one of the Senators from North Dakota state that the 7/7 terrorist attacks show that we must keep our bombers in their state?!?!?

But the argument against relocation of the capabilities of Subase NL seems particularly strong. This facility is unique, highly integrated (including with General Dynamics, Electric Boat div.), and most importantly, highly capital intensive. I simply can’t, at this point, see the possibility to realize any sort of economy in closing this facility.