Inexplicable controversy

I must say, I'm kind of confused by what the issue is here. A supercomputing contract was awarded to UIUC. Okay, fine...that doesn't seem that unreasonable. They're one of the best computer science departments out there, and they have a long tradition of dealing with supercomputing. Now people in Pennsylvania and California seem to be griping about it. Okay, they're unhappy. They didn't get the contract. That's to be expected. But there's no mention of any specific problems. No mention that some politician intervened on somebody's behalf. No specific claims of improper procedure. Nothing.

Similarly, there are "related" gripes about Oak Ridge getting a supercomputing contract. At least here there's some vaguely specific issue: people don't seem to like the idea of a nominally Department of Energy-run lab hosting a National Science Foundation computer. Huh? What's the issue? Do they think they'll be an armed standoff between DOE and NSF or something? That DOE will block their path? That DOE will hide it and then stick out its tongue at NSF? Seriously, what the fuck? I don't understand the issue.

The fact is, Oak Ridge got the contract because they're in the best position to host the damn thing. They underwent a recent renovation, so they have the space (first and foremost...these fuckers take up a large cargo bay), the power capacity (ever heard of the TVA?), _cheap_ power (when you're talking about something that eats as much power as a town, California is probably not the best place to put it if you don't want to give your entire operating budget to Pacific Gas and Energy), cooling capacity, expertise, etc. Plus, it already hosts the second fastest supercomputer in the world.

Seriously, someone explain to me what the fuck the problem is?