March 17, 2009
Posted by Claire
Stop the insanity!
(note to Damon and Hank — take a deep breath and read on…) This article is outright scary. So, during a time when we are engaging in TWO major wars we are now going to cut weapons. Absolute incompetence.
Gates readies big cuts in weapons
Battle looms with Congress
Excerpt
WASHINGTON – As the Bush administration was drawing to a close, Robert M. Gates, whose two years as defense secretary had been devoted to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, felt compelled to warn his successor of a crisis closer to home.
The United States “cannot expect to eliminate national security risks through higher defense budgets, to do everything and buy everything,” Gates said. The next defense secretary, he warned, would have to eliminate some costly hardware and invest in new tools for fighting insurgents.
What Gates didn’t know was that he would be that successor.
Now, as the only Bush Cabinet member to remain under President Obama, Gates is preparing the most far-reaching changes in the Pentagon’s weapons portfolio since the end of the Cold War, according to aides.
Two defense officials who were not authorized to speak publicly said Gates will announce up to a half-dozen major weapons cancellations later this month. Candidates include a new Navy destroyer, the Air Force’s F-22 fighter jet, and Army ground-combat vehicles, the offi cials said.
More cuts are planned for later this year after a review that could lead to reductions in programs such as aircraft carriers and nuclear arms, the officials said.
As a former CIA director with strong Republican credentials, Gates is prepared to use his credibility to help Obama overcome the expected outcry from conservatives. And after a lifetime in the national security arena, working in eight administrations, the 65-year-old Gates is also ready to counter the defense companies and throngs of retired generals and other lobbyists who are gearing up to protect their pet projects. Keep READING
10 Comments
March 17, 2009
The really scary thing to me is we confirmed that we shot down an Iranian drone over Iraq just last month. Our enemies are pushing inward and testing the waters and what does our incompetent government do? They cut the pentagon budget and now are calling for weapons cuts. Absolutely insane.
March 17, 2009
So at the National Level things are going to get a bit dicey, how does Hank metabolize this information? Well I guess my squirrel cage which dual functions as my brain housing group makes the following linkage:
I can’t find any ammo in the Midwest. Two days ago I called seven Walmarts, 1 Cabela’s, 1 Bass Pro Shop and several guns stores in Kansas City (both Kansas and Missouri side) and none had any 9mm ammo. Come to find out that there are ammo shortages across the board and the costs for AR-15s have doubled in the last several months… I thought everything was just hype.
I finally found a supplier and fortunately for me my shooting range still has a bit of stock pile but limits members to two cases each. In the last 2 weeks my sons and I have been at the range four times, http://www.thebullethole.com, and I’ve have had to wait almost an hour to shoot. Might not seem long but here in the Midwest, where many folks can just shoot out in the country, I’ve never had to wait for a spot to open up, never and I first joined in 2005. At another local range you can only join now by invitation and there’s even a waiting list for those folks, I may be in the wrong business.
I may not be able to save the nation, but I’m sure as hell going to be prepared to hold down the fort.
I was so steamed this morning from President Obama’s plan to charge wounded veterans for treatment that not much else is going to phase me. Claire, do you mind if I charge you directly for my health care costs as you seem to get my ire on about every issue under the sun? Thanks for bursting a few more blood vessels in the brain.
http://www.kneedeepinthehooah.com/2009/03/obama-just-another-military-hating-democrat/
As long as he’s proposing to rape the wounded veterans we might as well put our nation at risk for getting raped as well.
With Utmost Respect ~ Semper Fi, Hank
http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/us-ammo-shortage-dont-blame-mexican-cartels/
March 17, 2009
But now that barry is our President all nations will love us so there is no need for weapons. (warrior jason pukes)
March 17, 2009
Did you see this headline: Russia announces rearmament plan
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7947824.stm
Obama is giving our security away like it was nothing.
March 17, 2009
Warriorjason, I am still waiting for my unicorn!
March 17, 2009
That’s because to him … it is nothing.
Much of this should not come as a surprise. I read the white papers on his site before he was elected and before they were scrubbed. He said outright that he was going to dismantle our missle programs (not just star wars) as well as the nuclear programs. And I knew it would not end there. I was called a liar when I said I read those papers and understood Obama to be advocating surrender because, quote, “no one who has read Obama’s statements could possibly come to your conclusions”.
It was also inevitable that demand for fire arms and ammo would go up about the time gun control freaks would discover that ammo is easier to regulate than gun sales. Add in a time of unrest were half the country is afraid of our governments socialist agenda, populists who feed on fear, and economic unrest owing to government corruption … kaboom! … ammo shortage!
Back on topic:
Granted, some of the weapons programs need to be cut. Some of the weapons research is moronic. Some of programs/contracts only existed to line the pocket of some fat kat congressmen, lobbyists, and cronies. I know many of you know what and who I mean. BUT I’ve seen what this CiC thinks is “prudent” and I don’t trust this crew to cut the correct programs.
NOR do I trust Gates to protect the interest of the country on this one. Not because I’ve suddenly changed my mind about the guy. Nope. It’s because he’s too honorable. He’ll never buck the office of the President no matter who holds it. So if he’s given lemons? He’ll make lemonade! Because he’s very smart he’ll make the best darn lemonade possible.
Should Gates step down?
No!
I may change my mind later but as of now I think that I’d rather have him in charge of executing this bad policy as oppossed to some politcal crank that “O” would appoint.
March 17, 2009
I knew you’d post this news as well as the vet insurance fiasco. From what I’ve read, cutting the Air Force F-fighter jet is NOT one of the better ideas in the works. But why worry? Homeland Security Chief Napolitano doesn’t believe there are such things as terrorists or terrorism.
March 17, 2009
Where’s my bp meds? You DO know Obama is gonna use Gates as his fall guy before he leaves?
Some days I can’t stand what is coming out of your country. I love you dearly, Claire, you know this but the insanity is beyond absurd. Is there NOBODY in your government who can SEE what the enemies of the US are doing? Never mind the domestic enemies…..
The insanity continues..
And OT kinda. MY apologies to the American people for the Canadian ***** who threw shoes at President Bush in Calgary where he gave a speech today… I hear that 3 were arrested..I am so sorry, America…
March 17, 2009
Brat, there are a few very good leaders, but unfortunately what you are witnessing is a Government run by and for the Democrats – unchecked since they have the Majority and the Presidency. The good news is they will screw things up so badly that it will be a long time before they have this kind of power again (it’s like a season with the locust). The bad news is … they will screw things up badly just as we are witnessing.
I haven’t read about the Canadian shoe thrower. Boy if an Iraqi Muslim looked like a moron for doing that, I can’t wait to see what a Canadian shoe thrower looks like. Typical lefty whacko — couldn’t come up with something on his own so he used an already failed method to accomplish his 5-minutes of fame. Waht a moron.
March 17, 2009
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/03/17/cgy-bush-speech-calgary.html
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