Senate Dem Leaders Nix Iraq Budget Cuts

Sen. Reid Rejects Idea Of Cutting $20 Billion From President Bush's Funding Request For Next Year

(AP)  Just hours after floating the idea of cutting $20 billion from President Bush's $142 billion request for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan next year, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad was overruled by fellow Democrats on Thursday.

"It's nothing that any of us are considering," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told reporters.

Conrad's trial balloon to cut war funding would have affected the budget year beginning Oct. 1 and was separate from the ongoing debate over Mr. Bush's $100 billion request for immediate supplemental funding for Iraq and Afghanistan.

Even the Pentagon acknowledges that its $142 billion 2008 war funding request is simply a best guess of Iraq and Afghanistan costs, and Conrad's proposal didn't earn rebukes from Budget Committee Republicans.

But the speed with which it was rejected by his colleagues seemed to reflect Democrats' sensitivity to any accusations of giving short-shrift treatment to funding for troops in battle.

"Our caucus feels strongly that we should go with the president's numbers" on 2008 war costs, Conrad said. He spoke just hours after floating the idea of curbing Mr. Bush's request for next year's war budget.

The North Dakota Democrat said he was simply seeking to come up with the most accurate figures possible for war costs as he develops a Democratic budget blueprint for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The $20 billion cut was based on Congressional Budget Office estimates — instead of the administration's February budget request — of Iraq and Afghanistan war costs.

The administration asked for $141.7 billion for fiscal 2008, but assumes only $50 billion for 2009 and no war funding after that.

CBO issued an estimate last month that forecasts 2008 costs of $120 billion for Pentagon operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and military aid for the armies of those two countries. The estimates would drop to $75 billion in 2009 and to $40 billion in 2010.

The CBO scenario assumes the number of troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan are reduced to 30,000 by 2010.

Even before restoring the proposed cut for 2008, Conrad's budget plan assumed $85 billion more in war funds than Mr. Bush requested. That's because Conrad included money for a continued troop presence over 2010-2012.

"We are going to provide actually more funding, because we think the president's budget has understated the war costs over the five-year period," Conrad had said at the time he broached the idea of slashing $20 billion from the budget request.

Conrad added that the congressional budget resolution he is drafting for debate later this month will provide Mr. Bush's request for a $49 billion boost — to $481 billion — in the core Pentagon budget.

The annual congressional budget blueprint sets guidelines but is not binding, and the actual war budget will be set under a fiscal 2008 defense spending bill that will advance later this year.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England told the budget panel that the administration's $142 billion 2008 war request is the Pentagon's best estimate but that it "could go up or down" depending on how well the war goes.

The nearly four-year-old war in Iraq has thus far been financed primarily through emergency spending bills, amid growing criticism from lawmakers who say it should be part of the long-term budget. Last month's budget submission represented the first time the Bush administration offered a detailed war funding request so far in advance.

A separate issue is the looming $100 billion Iraq and Afghanistan funding bill, which continues to roil Capitol Hill.

Democrats are deeply divided over their Iraq strategy, but leaders such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., want the war funding bill to require that any troops deployed in Iraq be properly trained, equipped and rested.

The conditions could be waived, under their most recent plan, but President Bush would have to do so himself — and report to Congress each time.

House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Republicans would vote against the war funding measure if it contained restrictions that inhibited Mr. Bush, but he said Republicans would have to see a detailed proposal before reaching any such decision.

"We will fight every effort that the Democrats attempt to put handcuffs on the president to stymie his ability to wage this war in Iraq and to win it," Boehner said.

The comments marked something of a role revision for Republicans, who have savaged Democrats for proposing conditions on the Iraq spending measure, saying they were trying to cut off funding for the troops.

[mh4cbs1]

lars:

Our "enemy" are the insane NeoCons that hijacked the GOP, lied us into Iraq, profit from their War, give tax cuts to the rich.

While our troops are at War, getting killed and maimed by the thousands, America is at the Mall.

America is busy watching "reality" TV. Watching jobs move offshore, working harder for less, while the corporate politicians attempt to "privatize" their social security.

The rich are busy building McMansions with their massive tax cuts, driving Hummers with "support the troops" bumper stickers, voting for politicans who won't fund the VA.

This is NOT the America I grew up in. This is NOT the America I want. If you really loved your country you would educate yourself and defend America from these NeoCon fascists.

[lars008-2009]

Lt. Cmdr. Charles E. Madison: You American haters bore me to tears, Ms. Barham. I've dealt with Europeans all my life. I know all about us parvenus from the States who come over here and race around your old Cathedral towns with our cameras and Coca-cola bottles... Brawl in your pubs, paw at your women, and act like we own the world. We over-tip, we talk too loud, we think we can buy anything with a Hershey bar. I've had Germans and Italians tell me how politically ingenuous we are, and perhaps so. But we haven't managed a Hitler or a Mussolini yet. I've had Frenchmen call me a savage because I only took half an hour for lunch. Hell, Ms. Barham, the only reason the French take two hours for lunch is because the service in their restaurants is lousy. The most tedious lot are you British. We crass Americans didn't introduce war into your little island. This war, Ms. Barham to which we Americans are so insensitive, is the result of 2,000 years of European greed, barbarism, superstition, and stupidity. Don't blame it on our Coca-cola bottles. Europe was a growing brothel long before we came to town.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057840/quotes

[firststate]

Let's face reality. The "f" word for the past 6 years of the rep's majority, has been filibuster. Can you imagine McConnell's screech if the Dems decided to use that republican option, changing the rules on the filibuster, against them? That poor old guy might sputter to death.

The rep leaders are putting party ahead of country, so our soldiers can be targets in Iraq's civil war. Dems could probably get a bill curtailing the chimp in Iraq out of the house, but McConnell is keeping the senate from even debating Iraq. In order to rein in the sociopath, they'll have to include provisions in bills that georgie needs and won't veto. In his "would-be king" form, he'll probably petulantly stamp his feet and say "I don't have to" as he issues a signing statement, creating a Constitutional Crisis. If that happens, we'll find out if the Congressional republicans continue their full-time BushASS Kissing, or do their jobs. The Dems haven't been able to stop the war for the same reason they aren't talking about impeachment. They don't want to look as STUPID as the republicans did with Clinton. They don't have the votes, YET. If dumbya keeps up his royal act, the question will likely boil down to, "Will the Dems get the votes against bush before, or because he declares a state of emergency, and cancels the '08 elections?"

[firststate]

Let's face reality. The "f" word for the past 6 years of the rep's majority, has been filibuster. Can you imagine McConnell's screech if the Dems decided to use that republican option, changing the rules on the filibuster, against them? That poor old guy might sputter to death.

The rep leaders are putting party ahead of country, so our soldiers can be targets in Iraq's civil war. Dems could probably get a bill curtailing the chimp in Iraq out of the house, but McConnell is keeping the senate from even debating Iraq. In order to rein in the sociopath, they'll have to include provisions in bills that georgie needs and won't veto. In his "would-be king" form, he'll probably petulantly stamp his feet and say "I don't have to" as he issues a signing statement, creating a Constitutional Crisis. If that happens, we'll find out if the Congressional republicans continue their full-time BushASS Kissing, or do their jobs. The Dems haven't been able to stop the war for the same reason they aren't talking about impeachment. They don't want to look as STUPID as the republicans did with Clinton. They don't have the votes, YET. If dumbya keeps up his royal act, the question will likely boil down to, "Will the Dems get the votes against bush before, or because he declares a state of emergency, and cancels the '08 elections?"

[notblue]

Can anyone explain what the Dems "new direction" for Iraq is? After six years of critisism they got elected because they were going to bring some new direction, I guess it was all just politics to get elected. The truth is there are no easy solutions when it comes to dealing with an enemy like radical Islam, it takes perserverance and a willingness to confront the evil. Cutting and running undermining the troops fighting by taking away funds cannot and is not a solution in defeating the militants cause. The Dems are just being realistic now that elections are over.

[notblue]

Can anyone explain what the Dems "new direction" for Iraq is? After six years of critisism they got elected because they were going to bring some new direction, I guess it was all just politics to get elected. The truth is there are no easy solutions when it comes to dealing with an enemy like radical Islam, it takes perserverance and a willingness to confront the evil. Cutting and running undermining the troops fighting by taking away funds cannot and is not a solution in defeating the militants cause. The Dems are just being realistic now that elections are over.

[lars008-2009]

FASCIST NAZI ISLAM STRIKES AGAIN%u2026%u2026
Police protect girls forced to convert to Islam
Extremist Muslims who force vulnerable teenage girls to convert to Islam are being targeted by police, Met chief Sir Ian Blair has revealed.
Police are working with universities to clamp down on "aggressive conversions" during which girls are beaten up and forced to abandon university courses.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=437871&in_page_id=1770

[lars008-2009]

these stupid silly little fascist nazi Islamic muslims are no different than the stupid silly little fascist nazi germans.........
"When they came to arrest the Jews, I did not say any thing. I am not a Jew.
When they came to arrest the communists, I did not say anything. I am not a communist.
When they came to arrest the socialists, I did not say anything. I am not a socialist.
When they cam to arrest the homosexuals, gypsies, mentally retarded, etc. I did not say anything, I am none of the above.
When they came to arrest me, there was no one to speak for me."

fascist nazi islam muslims celebrate year of the pig chinese new year
Thai Bombs Linked to Chinese New Year, Military Says
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/19/world/asia/19cnd-thai.html?ex=1329541200&en=ba4ce1c67a193404&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
India, Pakistan seek peace after bombing
Indian officials say militants are responsible for a train bombing that left at least 66 people dead.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070219/ap_on_re_as/india_train_fire

[lars008-2009]

The following are excerpts from an Al-Qaeda tape featuring a Western Al-Qaeda terrorist, which aired on Al-Arabiya TV on August 9, 2005. Al-Arabiya claims he is Irish
Terrorist: Oh people of the West, don't be fooled by the lies of Blair and Bush that you are free nations, for the only freedom that you have is the freedom to be slaves of your whims and desires. Your children are free to be deprived of their childhood and their innocence. Your women are free to be used as tools of business and entertainment, and all of you as a whole are the slaves of con men and women who rule you. They are your real enemies. If you only knew %u2013 they are the ones who drag your countries to the pit of America's group of scavengers, who seek to ravage the entire globe for the interests of a handful of gangsters and corporate companies. Democracy, human rights, and freedom are all but hollow illusions, with which they tranquilize inhabitants of the human farms which they control. The Muslim world is not your backyard. The Muslim world is not Germany, Japan, or South America. The honorable sons and daughters of Islam will not sit down, watching you spread your evil and immorality and infidelity to our land. The honorable sons of Islam will not just let you kill our families in Palestine, Afghanistan, Kashmir, the Balkans, Indonesia, the Caucasus, and elsewhere. It is time for us to be equals - as you kill us, you will be killed, as you bomb us, you will be bombed.

[lars008-2009]

DEFEND AMERICA
US Department of Defense (DoD) news about the Global War on Terrorism
http://defendamerica.mil/

[j-whitman]

Lars,,, Today's Tokyo Rose is Fox News

[rsoxfan1123]

by the way, lars, this "haji" thing is irritating. if you want to resort to name calling you really need to go find one of your teeny bopper sites you chat on while looking at porn. if you want to discuss the issues then do it.

[rsoxfan1123]

lars- for one thing, there was no "Tokyo Rose" that was a generic term used for an array of female japanese broadcasters. the idea that there was one "Tokyo Rose" is a myth. get your facts straight.
second, hussein did open up to weapons inspectors. the UN begged for a month or two more and they could prove hussein didn't have WMD. Bush refused to wait, claiming he had "indisputable evidence" (lie lie lie)that hussein had WMD and rushed us in. he knew that if the UN had been given more time, they would have proven hussein did NOT have WMD and his plan to invade Iraq, which he voiced prior to being elected, would be screwed.

[lars008-2009]

During WW II, the Japanese were searching for a way to demoralize the American forces that they faced. Their psychological warfare experts came up with a message that they thought would work well.
They gave the script to their famous broadcaster, "Tokyo Rose," and every day she would broadcast this same message packaged in various ways, hoping to have an impact on American GI morale. What was the message?
It had three main points:
1. Your president is lying to you.
2. This war is illegal.
3. You cannot win the war.
Sound familiar? the Democratic Party has picked up the same message and is broadcasting it to civilians domestic and abroad, and to our troops and our enemies. The only difference is that they claim to support our troops before they demoralize them.
Come to think of it, Tokyo Rose used to tell the troops that she was on their side.
I am often struck by how similar the rhetoric from the left is to the rhetoric from our enemies. Consider this transcript of a taped al qaeda message:
http://memritv.org/Transcript.asp?P1=802

[lars008-2009]

righttttttttttttttttttt haji

that's why the inspectors were prevented from doing their job........ a violation of the ceasefire..... so they could not say what he had or did not have..... saddam's own generals say he had it and it was moved to syria......

they fired on the planes enforcing the no fly zone......... a violation of the ceasefire.....

so game on haji......

[rsoxfan1123]

Iraq didn't break any agreement. we went in for WMD (because bush lied to us) and found none, just like the UN told us we would. Iraq was complying with the UN agreement. Hussein was minding his own business when we showed up.

[lars008-2009]

rsoxfan1123 ..... that's what it says haji.....

the war is legal

the resumption of hostilities was only a matter of time since iraq broke the ceasefire agreement.....

so blame saddam for iraq.....

[rsoxfan1123]

The War in Iraq is a necessary and just effort to bring freedom to the Middle East and protect America from further attack.
Posted by lars008

You are either utterly brainwashed or stupid. Osama bin laden attacked us. he has never even VISITED iraq. Spending $2 billion a week to improve some dirt water country that doesn't give a rat's *** about us anyway while our nation's schools, roads and law enforcement starves for money is awful.

[rsoxfan1123]

With a president that threatens to veto absolutely everything they do, what do you expect? If they cut funding, they'll give bush exactly what he wants- a way out. He'll pull out troops, blame the disaster on the dems and the next election will give us another republican president and more of this kind of mess. The dems are stuck- if they cut funding they aren't supporting our troops, if they don't they are the "do-nothings".

[lars008-2009]

Appeal for Redress
Sign this Appeal.
This site is an Appeal For Redress in support of our mission in Iraq.
An Appeal For Redress is an authorized means for active duty military to submit a grievance to Congress. It can be signed by Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard military personnel.
It is authorized by DoD Directive 1325.6 and DoD Directive 7050.6.
The wording of the Appeal for Redress is:
As an American currently serving my nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to fully support our mission in Iraq and halt any calls for retreat. I also respectfully urge my political leaders to actively oppose media efforts which embolden my enemy while demoralizing American support at home. The War in Iraq is a necessary and just effort to bring freedom to the Middle East and protect America from further attack.
If you are active duty, reservist or national guard, please Sign this Appeal.
Most service members fully support the war in Iraq and feel calls to retreat by Congress and attacks by our media on our conduct and mission act to motivate our enemy while demoralizing our support at home, directly increasing the threat we face and resulting in greater American casualties. This Appeal for Redress provides a way in which individual service members can appeal to Congress to fully support us and actively oppose media attacks on our mission and our morale.
This Appeal will be delivered to members of Congress.
http://www.appealforcourage.org/