I thought AMD split off their chip foundry as a new company -- that would mean no manufacturing facilities unless they bought that new company as well.

Check your facts. There has not been a license fee for Flash for a few years now, though that used to be the case. http://mobile.engadget.com/2008/05/06/adobe-kills-license-fees-for-flash-on-devices/

My father worked with him on occasion...said he was a smart guy. More than likely he was being disengenous, and he is being offered something in return for making these statements. It's how things work (unfortunately). I hope it isn't drilling in ANWAR, which he has made his personal mission in life (he was the guy that attached the drilling as a rider to the defense budget -- if he don't get his drilling, defense don't get no money). Hopefully it was just the "bridge to nowhere" he's been promising his constituents.