A news conference didn't go according to plan yesterday at BAE Systems in West Manchester Township, Pennsylvania. The facility's big wigs, workers and media were there to see the unveiling of the latest vehicle BAE would be producing for the U.S. military. With lights flashing and music blaring, the new Paladin self-propelled Howitzer sat there like a pile of scrap, rather than roll out under its own power. It was probably quite embarrassing for plant officials, but it could have been worse. In fact the story reminds CotB of this amusing, but very, very violent, R-rated scene (and, yes, that's a warning to you hypersensitive readers) from 1987's "RoboCop."

 So, yes, BAE can take heart that their little problem could have been much worse. And for you "RoboCop" fans, keep an eye out for the remake due out in 2011.

 — JOHN SIMCOE