| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: WoT |
| US cannot afford another Afghanistan or Iraq, warns Defence Secretary |
| 2010-05-09 |
| His plans would see cuts in spending on its bureaucracy and on equipment designed for a repeat of the Second World War rather than the smaller wars of the 21st century. However, he said he would protect the military's ability to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said that defence spending had doubled since the September 11, 2001 attacks, and that the severe recession guaranteed that "the gusher has been turned off and will stay off for a good period of time". In a speech at the Eisenhower Presidential Library to mark the 65th anniversary of the German surrender, he said: "I do think that as we look to the future, particularly for the next couple of years or so while we're in Iraq and Afghanistan, I think the Congress and the president would look long and hard at another military operation that would cost us $100 billion a year. "If there's a realy threat out there, the president and Congress will spend whatever it takes to protect the nation. But in situations where there are real choices, I think this would be a factor." "The Defence Department must take a hard look at every aspect of how it is organized, staffed and operated - indeed, every aspect of how it does business." |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #6 It cheaper to destroy than build. 9/11/2001 is a perfect lesson on that. |
| Posted by: ed 2010-05-09 23:13 |
| #5 Start Rant Too many people never had to fight for their life. they want a CLEAN solution (Y'all go away nice peaceful like, now lads) and don't understand what it means when the Muslim Imams say "We want you DEAD" They think it's a catchy slogan, not plain hard Fact. Until hard times force them to realise it's TRUTH, things will muddle along as before That's exactly what the "Sheeple" want. So BOOM Obama is elected as the Sheeple wished, and does NOT stand against the enemy, again, as the people wish. and the hard realists who HAVE fought for their lives, complain and again the sheeple want the "Warmongers" to go away. Our nation is in big trouble simply because we've let the Majority become soft, I have NOT been a softie, I needed a home so I bought what I could afford, A trailer, Not what I wanted, (A huge Home). THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE MORTGAGE INDUSRY, NO RESTRAINT BY THE SHEEPLE. Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, and Whaddya mean I can't have it. There's only one problem, folks must work or starve, if they refuse to work (NOT Cannot Find work, but refuse) then starve. Yes we need a safety net for the unable, by age, disaility, or Physical loss (Arm, Leg etc) but NOT including the Dont't wanna's.(I'm too smart to work, etc) We must have something like the WPA, For folks who can't find work, and NOT picking up trash on the Interstates, but REAL work they either know, or cn be taught to do, with a Fair, (Not poverty) Wage paid. End rant |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2010-05-09 19:52 |
| #4 AFAICT defense as a fraction of gdp has gone from 3.5% to 5% over the past decade. |
| Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2010-05-09 19:45 |
| #3 It will take only a few atom bombs that we have in thousands. So what is this non sense that we can not afford to fight the another Islamic stupidity. |
| Posted by: Annon 2010-05-09 18:57 |
| #2 In a speech at the Eisenhower Presidential Library... Note how they leave out - "Akin to, and largely responsible for the sweeping changes in our industrial-military posture, has been the technological revolution during recent decades. In this revolution, research has become central; it also becomes more formalized, complex, and costly. A steadily increasing share is conducted for, by, or at the direction of, the Federal government. Today, the solitary inventor, tinkering in his shop, has been overshadowed by task forces of scientists in laboratories and testing fields. In the same fashion, the free university, historically the fountainhead of free ideas and scientific discovery, has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research. Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity. For every old blackboard there are now hundreds of new electronic computers. The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present and is gravely to be regarded." So, let's talk about all those grants and 'research' monies shoveled off to the universities by all departments of the government too. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2010-05-09 18:54 |
| #1 Iran,Pakistan and Saudi will be happy with this news! |
| Posted by: Paul D 2010-05-09 17:29 |