Dems Push Troops To The Brink, Gates Announces Military Lay-Off Plans
To the Democrats, the troops and their efforts are worth nothing more than their usefulness as poltical tools. Godspeed, gents, the enemy is also at your rear. That’s a hell of a way to have to fight. Especially when the enemy are your own countrymen. What has become of this country?
WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress likely will hold off on sending President Bush money for Iraq until early next year, pushing the Pentagon to the brink of an accounting nightmare and deepening Democrats’ conflict with the White House on the war.
Democrats say the tough approach is needed.
“Everybody knows that the president is stuck in his place, a place where he wants a 10-year war,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
This week, the House passed, 218-203, a $50 billion bill that would pay for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan—about one-fourth of the amount Bush wants—but require that troops start coming home. The measure sets a demand of ending U.S. involvement in any Iraq combat by Dec. 15, 2008.
Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Thursday that if Congress was unable to pass legislation that sets a timetable on the war—the most likely scenario—they would drop the issue until next year. In the meantime, Democrats say, the Pentagon can eat into its $471 billion annual budget without being forced to take drastic steps.
“The days of a free lunch are over,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that unless Congress passes funding for the war within days, he will direct the Army and Marine Corps to begin developing plans to lay off employees and terminate contracts early next year.
Gates, who met with lawmakers on Wednesday, said he does not have the money or the flexibility to move funds around to adequately cover the costs of the continuing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“There is a misperception that this department can continue funding our troops in the field for an indefinite period of time through accounting maneuvers, that we can shuffle money around the department. This is a serious misconception,” Gates told reporters at the Pentagon.
As a result, he said he is faced with the undesirable task of preparing to cease operations at Army bases by mid-February, and lay off about 100,000 defense department employees and an equal number of civilian contractors. A month later, he said, similar moves would have to be made by the Marines.
Some members of Congress believe the Pentagon can switch enough money to cover the war accounts, Gates said. But he added that he only has the flexibility to transfer about $3.7 billion, which is just one week’s worth of war expenses. Lawmakers, he said, may not understand how complicated and restrictive the situation is.
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Let us please concentrate the layoffs and contract terminations
November 16th, 2007 at 2:52 amin the states that elected the traitors to this Congress.
Pain needs to be felt.
I do not think any politicion cares about the troops.
November 16th, 2007 at 3:21 amDave M.
November 16th, 2007 at 3:45 amI agree with you. Start with California, Nevada, Illinois, and NY.
“I have found the enemy, and he are us…”
When I enlisted years ago, and each time I have reenlisted, I swoar an oath as part of the process. Part of that oath is “I swear to protect my country against all enemies, both foreign and domestic…”. It appears that some members of Congress are actively and overtly doing everything in their power to subvert the efforts of the military. That’s treasonous behavour, any way you cut it.
I think the domestic enemies have been identified…it’s time for the voters to return fire. And if the Pentagon needs to lay off civilian staff or close facilities, well, I know exactly where I would start…any of those “blue” states.
November 16th, 2007 at 4:01 amI do not think any politicion cares about the troops.
Mindy,
Except George W Bush and probably John McCain.
Dave,
November 16th, 2007 at 4:49 amOne can only hope that the good people of Nevada, California, New York and the rest will give Reid, Pelousy and the rest of the terrrorist supporters an early retirement in 2010.
“The days of a free lunch are over,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
Oh yeah, Upchuck? You are an endangered species shmuck, the D’rat, traitorous, slimey, ambulance chaser.
No Firing Squad for Traitors, it’s hanging at dawn, alone and burial in an unmarked grave.
November 16th, 2007 at 5:00 amShut bases in San Fran, Neveda, Maryland, New york, no more fleet week in New York or Frisco, Fuck you Democrats
November 16th, 2007 at 6:08 amWe have troops in harms way and it appears they are making good progress but the war is here at home. We have allowed, through apathy and complacency these POS to poison our country’s soul. We let them take God out of schools. We let them piss on our soldiers graves and spit in our troops faces. We are the cause of all the shit that is going on because we sit on our asses and do nothing. When is enough going to be enough? Anyone who advocates or in any way supports the lack of funding for our troops should be hounded out of office and tried for treason. We go to movies produced by people who consort with our enemies(chavez) why, because we would rather be entertained than engaged. It’s time to throw this scum out in the street. Doing nothing is the same as working for them!
November 16th, 2007 at 6:43 amWe are fighting a war on several fronts. The one were fighting at home with the Libs & Democrats is the most dangerous. Who needs Al Qaeda when you have them.
as hell!
November 16th, 2007 at 7:25 amEnough of this. If anyone starts shooting, I’m ready. The way I see it, some blood will have to be spilled.
November 16th, 2007 at 9:12 amI have never once in my life seriously supporting a military coup in this nation and have never thought it necessary until now. The fact of the matter is this nation is populated largely by ignorant, selfish lemmings being driven off a cliff by demagogues in the Party of Treason and the Republican politicians aren’t much better.
I’m starting to think their will be long term benefit to this nation if we do bring the troops home. The damage will be so extensive to the moral and standard of living in this nation that the necessary overhaul will occur sooner than later. What a sad indictment of the political leadership of this nation.
November 16th, 2007 at 9:30 amYeah, I would’ve never thought that supporting an overthrow of the government would be beneficial until recently. This doesn’t make any sense. If we don’t do something they’re going to get us all killed.
November 16th, 2007 at 9:58 amP&R’s
big idea: Don’t pay the troops until they promise to stop winning and come home immediately!
November 17th, 2007 at 12:55 am