February 26, 2014

2015 Proposed Defense Budget, The Role Of Defense In GOP Politics And Meeting The Rise Of China And More
— DrewM

The administration presented its proposed Fiscal Year 2015 Defense Department Budget this week and it sent shockwaves through the national security world. While the Ryan-Murray budget deal eased the impact of the sequester cuts somewhat, we are now seeing the full impact of previous rounds of Obama defense reductions and it's not pretty.

The Army will have its numbers cut to levels not seen since prior to WWII. Other cuts include retirement of the Air Force's venerable A-10 Warthog and the Navy will begin the process of losing a carrier, temporarily cut its cruiser fleet in half and reduce the number of Littoral Combat Ships ordered from 52 hulls to 32 over the life of the project.

This is all just the administration's proposal and still has to pass Congress. But that's trickier than it has been in the past with the decline of the hawkish wing of the GOP and the rise of budget cutters.

And beyond the domestic impact of the budget fight there's the reason for all of this...foreign threats.

To navigate these murky and turbulent waters I spoke with defense analyst Bryan McGrath. Bryan is a retired naval officer who spent more than 25 years on active duty and was the lead strategist/author of the Navy's 2007 Maritime Strategy. Since his retirement he's written on defense issues in several places including the Navy oriented blog, Information Dissemination and is currently Managing Director of the defense industry consulting firm The FerryBridge Group. You can follow him on Twitter here.

Among the topics discussed:
-How we've gotten to this point in budgeting

-The realities of our political system drive up defense spending by putting parochial interests ahead of sound decision making.

-The political challenge for the Republican coalition that is becoming less hawkish and more budget conscious (with bonus John McCain bashing).

-The non-interventionist case for investing in sea power and for dealing with the expected next big challenge...China.

It runs about 30 minutes but it's time well spent if defense issues and how they impact the intra-GOP battles are of any interest to you.

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Posted by: DrewM at 11:38 AM | Comments (300)
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1 Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR BREAKING: #Kerry says #US planning $1 billion loan guarantee for #Ukraine - @BloombergNews |PR News #Euromaidan

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at February 26, 2014 11:41 AM (ZPrif)

2 Defense.


The one and only department of government democrats love to cut.


Posted by: EC at February 26, 2014 11:42 AM (GQ8sn)

3 McGrath is one of the good guys. InfoDissem is a solid site.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at February 26, 2014 11:42 AM (ZPrif)

4 When welfare recipients are treated better than our current and retired vets. Something has gone wrong, seriously wrong.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 26, 2014 11:43 AM (HVff2)

5 Defense. The one and only department of government democrats love to cut. And one of the few constitutionally mandated items.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2014 11:44 AM (CRyse)

6 Amazing. It's like 2009 all over again.

Posted by: Soothsayer at February 26, 2014 11:45 AM (9WnL1)

7 he intra-GOP battles are of any interest to you. ******** If that doesn't get resolved they will have little influence and therefore what difference will they make? Rien de tout.

Posted by: tasker at February 26, 2014 11:46 AM (RJMhd)

8 Why have a border patrol if they aren't going to do their fucking jobs?

Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 11:46 AM (6bMeY)

9 Damn it I think it is *du* tout.

Posted by: tasker at February 26, 2014 11:46 AM (RJMhd)

10 There couldn't possibly be a correlation between Barky's Military Lite and the rambunctiousness of Russia, China, North Korea, The MB, so... what could possibly be causing all the commotion? Oh, I know: lack of sunspots.

Posted by: t-bird at February 26, 2014 11:46 AM (FcR7P)

11

(with bonus John McCain bashing).

 

If I had one, it would have moved.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 11:46 AM (4df7R)

12 Other cuts include retirement of the Air Force's venerable A-10 Warthog

Air Force muckety-mucks have been pushing that one for a looooong time.  The Warthog isn't sexy or sleek or fast (440 mph) or high-tech.  It's an old bar-room bruiser, and it's effective, but not the "image" the Air Force wants to project.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 26, 2014 11:46 AM (4QSOR)

13
♪  .... so tonite Im gonna party like it's 1939 ♫

Posted by: fixerupper at February 26, 2014 11:46 AM (nELVU)

14 Bryan is a retired naval officer who spent more than 25 years on active duty and was the lead strategist/author of the Navy's 2007 Maritime Strategy. Since his retirement he's written on defense issues in several places including the Navy oriented blog, Information Dissemination and is currently Managing Director of the defense industry consulting firm The FerryBridge Group.

I dunno. Does he do a Bane impression?

Posted by: Waterhouse at February 26, 2014 11:47 AM (t8ySh)

15 Don't cut it.  Audit the fuck out of it.  Quantify the waste.  Penalties and jail time for the fraudsters, and divert some of those savings/penalty moneys to veterans services. Then, gradually reduce budgets to the non-fraud level.

Posted by: grognard at February 26, 2014 11:47 AM (/29Nl)

16 Yes, there are places we can cut. But I take exception with cutting the A-10. They already tried it once and found out it was a bad idea. The A-10 is and will continue to be useful for CAS. I hope it survives the cuts.

Posted by: Minnfidel at February 26, 2014 11:47 AM (/o+xv)

17

Has anyone gotten the others?

 

*goes*

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 11:47 AM (4df7R)

18 btw, do you think it is beneficial, politically, when Dick Cheney comes out complaining of defense cuts to increase food stamps? What do you think the low-info Dumb Voter thinks when s/he hears stuff like that in the "news?"

Posted by: Soothsayer at February 26, 2014 11:48 AM (9WnL1)

19

>>>And one of the few constitutionally mandated items.

 

And the one specifically brought up for review in its entirety every 2 years by Constitutional mandate [for the Army, anyhow]. The Founders distrusted standing armies. Me, I think the Left is too literal and ought to look homeward, then defund DHS, TSA, end Federal dollars to police departments, etc etc

Posted by: Bigby's Waving Hands at February 26, 2014 11:48 AM (3ZtZW)

20 Not only do we believe in AGW, we believe military spending should be cut to zero and reallocated to important scientific research, such as the mating habits of seahorses and how many mackerel will fit in a phone booth.

Posted by: 97% of Scientists at February 26, 2014 11:48 AM (tv7DV)

21 The Warthog is pure hell on an armored column.

Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 11:49 AM (6bMeY)

22 The Warthog isn't sexy or sleek or fast (440 mph) or high-tech. It's an old bar-room bruiser, and it's effective, but not the "image" the Air Force wants to project.


It has ONE job.


Posted by: EC at February 26, 2014 11:49 AM (GQ8sn)

23 Air Force muckety-mucks have been pushing that one for a looooong time. The Warthog isn't sexy or sleek or fast (440 mph) or high-tech. It's an old bar-room bruiser, and it's effective, but not the "image" the Air Force wants to project. It's also getting to be an old platform. Planes get more and more expensive to maintain with age and flight hours.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 26, 2014 11:49 AM (SY2Kh)

24 You could simplify this whole thing by noting that once more the Idiot is about to do something Idiotic.

Posted by: D-Lamp at February 26, 2014 11:50 AM (bb5+k)

25 The problem with "cuts" is that they always hurt the areas that deserve it least.

There are at least 3 major contractors that shouldn't be able to get near a major military contract for 50 years.  And yet the VA is a shambles.  Guess which one gets the short end of the stick?


Posted by: grognard at February 26, 2014 11:50 AM (/29Nl)

26 I havenÂ’t listened to FridayÂ’s yet but I will today & add this too! I listened to one at work on the speaker phone & there were too many F words. My boss walked by & thought I was on the phone. The next time I listened with the ear buds but you canÂ’t work & hear everything. My commute is only 20 minutes most days. I tried to listen one night but I didnÂ’t hear enough & listened again on a Saturday morning. I have television off & there is nothing I want to watch. Thank you.

Posted by: Carol at February 26, 2014 11:50 AM (z4WKX)

27

While I'm all in favor of finding ways to cut the Defense budget I'm not in favor of doing it unless and until the Progressive Fascists give us $250 million per year from entitlements.  They figure  that  out, and  then  we can talk Defense budget  cuts.  Until then, fuck 'em.

 

Posted by: MTF at February 26, 2014 11:50 AM (B5y+v)

28 Has anyone gotten the others? *goes* I said Nood. Not like anyone listens to me.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2014 11:50 AM (CRyse)

29 Good stuff.

The one function clearly and unequivocally defined by the Constitution, yet Democrats want to gut it and make us less safe.

You want to cut? How about the $200 billion in waste and fraud the GAO identified in food programs alone?

How about all those EBT cards being used for alcohol and strip clubs because, you know, it's essential.

And fucking Republicans want to know why people think they suck the sweat off of dead dog balls?

Posted by: Marcus T at February 26, 2014 11:50 AM (GGCsk)

30 I stated in the previous thread that if they do this they need to do some other things to go along with it.   Primarily these are things to return us to the pre-WWII military commitments and posture.


1. Close every base not in actual US possessions,
2. Return every US soldier to CONUS and cancel all US commitments except with our strongest allies such as Great Britain.
3. Get Congress totally out of the Military procurement and base closing process.  We can no longer afford crony corruption.  Sure there was some in 1942 but NOTHING like what we have now.
4. Cancel completely every program in the military that is not directly related to the military.
5. As troops are fired make sure that for every 1,000 line troops 1 senior pentagon general/Admiral is fired with them.
6. Cancel ALL foreign aid.  If we can not afford our military we can afford anyone else's either.


This is just a start.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 11:50 AM (T2V/1)

31 It's almost as if these people have no knowledge of history...

This will guarantee a war.  How many times do we go down this road before we learn?

Posted by: Duke Lowell at February 26, 2014 11:51 AM (o9Rp5)

32 Candidate X runs an ad about the F-35's. Candidate Y runs an ad about raising wages. Which candidate has the attention of the Dumb Voter?

Posted by: Soothsayer at February 26, 2014 11:51 AM (9WnL1)

33

We gots to pay for all those Obamaphones and food stamps resulting from our freeing of the work force from work.

Posted by: da Effin' ZERO at February 26, 2014 11:52 AM (xWW96)

34 The A-10 is the most badass CAS warplane on the planet. Dumbasses.

Posted by: Chavez the Hugo at February 26, 2014 11:52 AM (Q8vlx)

35 Nothing prevents war like weakness.

Posted by: Peace Studies Major at February 26, 2014 11:52 AM (sOtz/)

36


>>>You could simplify this whole thing by noting that once more the Idiot is about to do something Idiotic.

 

Nah, its of a piece with his worldview along with unilaterally disarming our nuke posture.

Posted by: Bigby's Waving Hands at February 26, 2014 11:52 AM (3ZtZW)

37 4 When welfare recipients are treated better than our current and retired vets. Something has gone wrong, seriously wrong. Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at February 26, 2014 03:43 PM (HVff2) The 24th amendment is what CREATED welfare. The Republicans who pushed the amendment were completely outmaneuvered by LBJ.

Posted by: D-Lamp at February 26, 2014 11:52 AM (bb5+k)

38 I'm not in favor of doing it unless and until the Progressive Fascists give us $250 million per year from entitlements. If they round down instead of up in the third decimal place, you'll get your $250 million.

Posted by: t-bird at February 26, 2014 11:52 AM (FcR7P)

39 A-10s on the surplus market. Hmm. They could come in handy. Hypothetically, of course.

Posted by: rickl at February 26, 2014 11:53 AM (zoehZ)

40 While I'm all in favor of finding ways to cut the Defense budget I'm not in favor of doing it unless and until the Progressive Fascists give us $250 million per year from entitlements. Did you mean $250 billion? There's more than $250 million under the entitlement couch cushions.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 26, 2014 11:53 AM (SY2Kh)

41
This isnt about airframes, or response capabilities, or how many destroyers can dance on the head of a pin.   This really isnt even about paying for foodstamps.

This about Obama correcting our "collective sins of Imperialism" and hamstringing future President's ability to project power around the globe.

Posted by: fixerupper at February 26, 2014 11:53 AM (nELVU)

42 12  Air Force muckety-mucks have been pushing that one for a looooong time. The Warthog isn't sexy or sleek or fast (440 mph) or high-tech. It's an old bar-room bruiser, and it's effective, but not the "image" the Air Force wants to project.

Posted by: bonhomme at February 26, 2014 03:46 PM (4QSOR)


My older brother used to work on the avionics for those things.  Every time they fired that main gun it destroyed the avionics and they had to be completely rebuilt. The plane could probably be rebuilt w/o the big gun and replace it with 20mm canon since its primary use now is troop support and not tank busting.  But they will not have the money for that either. Besides, no congress critter would get to payoff a crony.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 11:53 AM (T2V/1)

43 Any other worker's paradise would just raise the red banners and march on to victory.


Or swill a bunch of vodka and hope for the best.



Posted by: LoneStarHeeb at February 26, 2014 11:54 AM (BZAd3)

44

The Republicans who pushed the amendment were completely outmaneuvered by LBJ.

 

Oouut-maa-noo-verrd.

 

Yay!  Pudding!

Posted by: Teh Gee Ohh Peee at February 26, 2014 11:54 AM (NF2Bf)

45 6. Cancel ALL foreign aid. If we can not afford our military we can afford anyone else's either. This is just a start. Posted by: Vic 7. All alphabet agencies not specifically spelled out in the US Constituion are ended over night.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2014 11:55 AM (CRyse)

46 Look at the bright side folks, you won't see any Warthogs commin' at ya when the great burning begins.

Posted by: maddogg at February 26, 2014 11:55 AM (xWW96)

47 It's also getting to be an old platform. Planes get more and more expensive to maintain with age and flight hours. Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 26, 2014 03:49 PM .True but they don't have a replacement for it. So until they come up with something as bad ass as the A-10 they need to keep them around. Or instead of developing a new aircraft they could upgrade them. Shit they retro'd B-52. There's no reason they can't with the A-10.

Posted by: Minnfidel at February 26, 2014 11:55 AM (/o+xv)

48 Didn't the Warthogs do that little number on the Iraqi armored column in Basra in the Gulf War?

Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 11:55 AM (6bMeY)

49 We all wish John Boehner had a warcock like dreamy Dick, but alas...

Posted by: Mi nombre es C. Mc Morris-Rogers y me gusta pene. at February 26, 2014 11:56 AM (Cs2tJ)

50 >>>I listened to one at work on the speaker phone & there were too many F words. our last podcast this friday contained one f-bomb, and one other curse (MKH used "sh*t").

Posted by: ace at February 26, 2014 11:56 AM (/FnUH)

51

Ot, but UGH.  The mention of John Mayer in the previous thread has gotten that fucking "Your Body is a Wonderland" song stuck in my head and I'm going to kill the next person who walks by my office if I don't start humming something to get rid of it.  Give me ideas.    

 

MWR <-- cannot fucking STAND John Mayer

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 11:57 AM (4df7R)

52 41 This isnt about airframes, or response capabilities, or how many destroyers can dance on the head of a pin. This really isnt even about paying for foodstamps. This about Obama correcting our "collective sins of Imperialism" and hamstringing future President's ability to project power around the globe. Posted by: fixerupper at February 26, 2014 03:53 PM (nELVU) ********** Actually it's about Democrats buttering up their base. Always thought it was really dangerous how the military is not their base. That's been illustrated over, and over again.

Posted by: tasker at February 26, 2014 11:57 AM (RJMhd)

53 we've collectively been reducing them. I'll still use them, where it makes sense, but not as punctuation.

Posted by: ace at February 26, 2014 11:57 AM (/FnUH)

54 Every time they fired that main gun it destroyed the avionics and they had to be completely rebuilt.

So when they used the gun they flew blind back to base?  I don't understand.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 26, 2014 11:57 AM (4QSOR)

55 Nah, its of a piece with his worldview along with unilaterally disarming our nuke posture. Posted by: Bigby's Waving Hands at February 26, 2014 03:52 PM (3ZtZW) I consider that posture redundant with the word "Idiot."

Posted by: D-Lamp at February 26, 2014 11:57 AM (bb5+k)

56 Yeah...sorry Skipper...if the Army gets to get nuked I am destroying the chances for Big Blue team to gain. The USAF and USN loved denying the army its toys. Since I have been liberated from giving a fuck I am ready for payback. Cut it all to the bone. No more Brushfire Wars.

Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 11:57 AM (TE35l)

57 Yeah, we could save 2 billion by ending the EBT soda subsidy. School kids can't have it, but we spend a cool 2 bil on it for "nutrition". Drink water. But of course, Coke and Pepsi dig deep every other Fall.

Posted by: Beagle at February 26, 2014 11:58 AM (sOtz/)

58

our last podcast this friday contained one f-bomb, and one other curse (MKH used "sh*t").



 

Posted by: ace at February 26, 2014 03:56 PM (/FnUH)

 

 

The key is to know how to pronounce the apostrophe.  

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 11:58 AM (4df7R)

59 True but they don't have a replacement for it. So until they come up with something as bad ass as the A-10 they need to keep them around.

The Spooky is good for CAS and general overwatch too.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 26, 2014 11:58 AM (4QSOR)

60 I used to think it was tinfoilhatism but after 5 years of Obama I now really believe.


Even if he was "legally" born in the US, since he literally grew up in a Muzzie country he does not think like a US citizen.  He hates the US and is doing everything he can to destroy it.


If we had a real congress he would be impeached and tried for treason.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 11:58 AM (T2V/1)

61 >>>The one function clearly and unequivocally defined by the Constitution, yet Democrats want to gut it and make us less safe. <<<




It's hard to read the actual words on that thing through all the emanations and penumbras.

Posted by: Presidents and Congress and Judges, oh my at February 26, 2014 11:59 AM (UIxS+)

62 The A-10 seems like the basis for every butt-ugly near-future dystopian badass flying SUV with guns in every SF movie I've seen in the last 10 years. Elysium had sommat like it, so did District 9 IIRC

Posted by: Bigby's Waving Hands at February 26, 2014 11:59 AM (3ZtZW)

63 they should not get rid of the A 10. Terrible.

Posted by: thunderb at February 26, 2014 11:59 AM (zOTsN)

64 MWR <-- cannot fucking STAND John Mayer

I suggest that shitty Let Her Go song by Passenger.

Or anything by Maroon 5.

You're welcome

Posted by: grognard at February 26, 2014 11:59 AM (/29Nl)

65 our last podcast this friday contained one f-bomb, and one other curse (MKH used "sh*t"). Posted by: ace MKH sounded hawt. And the overall sound quality was pretty good. I finally got to listen in.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2014 12:00 PM (CRyse)

66 You guys know what calms down those rising Chinese?  Opium.  And it's cheaper than aircraft carriers.

Posted by: The British East India Company at February 26, 2014 12:00 PM (8ZskC)

67 "Your Body is a Wonderland" song

True story:  For the longest time I thought he was singing about Bali.

"Bali is a wonder-laaaaand."

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 26, 2014 12:00 PM (4QSOR)

68 53 So when they used the gun they flew blind back to base? I don't understand.

Posted by: bonhomme at February 26, 2014 03:57 PM (4QSOR)


It get them all at the same time but in some cases yes. I am sure they had a strategy worked out like "follow the leader".


But that is the word I got.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 12:00 PM (T2V/1)

69

The A-10 is the most badass CAS warplane on the planet.

 

Yeah.  So if the fleet is aging and hard to maintain, why not build some new ones? 

Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at February 26, 2014 12:01 PM (A0sHn)

70 Just because Defense is important and constitutionally mandated doesn't mean it isn't obscenely bloated with moronic and fraudulent and inefficient spending. The squealing around here when it comes to cutting defense spending has a schizophrenic tone to it. There is no doubt any cut in spending will be done in the stupidest way possible, but it has to be cut. The numbers are absurd and unsustainable.

Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at February 26, 2014 12:01 PM (+lsX1)

71 It's all JSF, all the time. Yeah, it's stupid, but that's the reality.

Posted by: Clownf*cker at February 26, 2014 12:01 PM (kZVsz)

72 I guess attack helicopters are supposed to fill the A-10 void? No way does it make sense to use air dominance fighters in that role.

Posted by: Beagle at February 26, 2014 12:01 PM (sOtz/)

73 The key is to know how to pronounce the apostrophe. Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at February 26, 2014 03:58 PM (4df7R) Or start putting umlauts over the vowels.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at February 26, 2014 12:01 PM (oFCZn)

74 If you think about it for a second, and if you're really honest with yourself, you'll see that the last time the Republicans were able to stand toe-to-toe, politically, with the Democrats was when they had Gingrich and Delay. And we drummed those bums right out of Washington DC. Right? For, what, 4 decades, the Republicans were the minor minority party, and finally along came Gingrich and Delay, and even that shitbum senator from Alabama. Those slick sonsofbitches were political animals. But some of couldn't stand it. So we ousted them all. And now the Republicans are the Mime party.

Posted by: Soothsayer at February 26, 2014 12:01 PM (9WnL1)

75 I suggest that shitty Let Her Go song by Passenger.

Or anything by Maroon 5.

You're welcome

Posted by: grognard at February 26, 2014 03:59 PM (/29Nl)

 

 

Maroon 5.  No.  *SHUDDER*

 

But yes, that Passenger song.... already I can    hear   that high pitched   voice,   that little warble...

 

*relaxes*  Ah.  Much better.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 12:01 PM (4df7R)

76 The key is to know how to pronounce the apostrophe.

I pronounce * as "splat".

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 26, 2014 12:01 PM (4QSOR)

77 MKH is so damn cute. I love when she tells O'Really to STFU in her own awesome way.

Posted by: Minnfidel at February 26, 2014 12:02 PM (/o+xv)

78 59 I used to think it was tinfoilhatism but after 5 years of Obama I now really believe. Even if he was "legally" born in the US, since he literally grew up in a Muzzie country he does not think like a US citizen. He hates the US and is doing everything he can to destroy it. Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2014 03:58 PM (T2V/1) ‘What all the wise men promised has not happened, and what all the damned fools said would happen has come to pass.’ — Lord Melbourne —

Posted by: D-Lamp at February 26, 2014 12:02 PM (bb5+k)

79 arrg



It DIS NOT get them all at the same time but in some cases yes.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 12:03 PM (T2V/1)

80 The Air Force wants to replace both the A-10 and the F-16 with the new F-35. Armed, remotely piloted aircraft such as the Reaper are another option for destroying vehicles on the battlefield and providing close-air support. “I think we all appreciate the ruggedness of the A-10 and its ability to take ground fire,” said Grant. “It is great at what it was built for — to be an airborne cannon — but the fighters today and going forward need to have that multi-role ability and all the modern sensors that really can’t be retrofitted onto the A-10,” she said. from National Defense webzine

Posted by: thunderb at February 26, 2014 12:03 PM (zOTsN)

81 This is just a start.

Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2014 03:50 PM (T2V/1)

 

a lot of soldiers fought and died in far away places to take that ground.

 

Why should we just give it back?

 

If you screw up and we go to war with you, you should know we will maintain territory in your sh*tty country forever if we choose.

Posted by: The Obvious Sock at February 26, 2014 12:03 PM (q+zA9)

82 15 grognard, Nah cut it. Obama and fuck Bush both turned the military into the House of Saud's rent a mob. DoD ordeted US troops to burn Bibles and Obama has had sitting duck RoE for years. The nation is too retarded to be trusted with power. All we need are some Generals, their personal staffs of 285 people each and contractors selling gee whiz to them. I think the Ft Hood attacks response is what sealed the deal for me. ENOUGH-the political class is unworthy of its military.

Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 12:03 PM (TE35l)

83 Or start putting umlauts over the vowels.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at February 26, 2014 04:01 PM (oFCZn)

 

 

Honot the umlaut.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 12:03 PM (4df7R)

84 9Just because Defense is important and constitutionally mandated doesn't mean it isn't obscenely bloated with moronic and fraudulent and inefficient spending. The squealing around here when it comes to cutting defense spending has a schizophrenic tone to it. There is no doubt any cut in spending will be done in the stupidest way possible, but it has to be cut. The numbers are absurd and unsustainable.

Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at February 26, 2014 04:01 PM (+lsX1)

 

 

 

I wouldn't argue that, except I guarantee thats the only fucking cuts on the agenda. The fucking parasites will keep getting their ration of blood.

Posted by: maddogg at February 26, 2014 12:03 PM (xWW96)

85 Highway of Death.

Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 12:03 PM (6bMeY)

86 What's that Barry?  I'm on?  I thought you would have used me for bipartisan cover a long time ago....

Posted by: Chuck 'Scapegoat' Hagel at February 26, 2014 12:03 PM (Q6pxP)

87 @39 Does Wal-Mart carry 30mm depleted uranium? A-10 for sale does return hits, btw.

Posted by: Beagle at February 26, 2014 12:04 PM (sOtz/)

88

>>>The numbers are absurd and unsustainable.

 

True. Yet if we cut the entire military budget we'd still go over the cliff, so its the easy target, but the least effective at bringing the numbers to heel.

Posted by: Bigby's Waving Hands at February 26, 2014 12:04 PM (3ZtZW)

89

Or, y'know, HONOR the umlaut.

 

Though  "Ho not the umlaut" sounds like something kinky out of Shakespeare.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 12:04 PM (4df7R)

90 Statistics provided by Air Combat Command said A-10s have provided 32 percent of combat sorties in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The sorties ranged from 27,800 to 34,500 annually between 2009 and 2012. In 2013, they have reached 11,189 as of June 30. One lesser-known mission the A-10 and its pilots perform is combat search and rescue, Davis pointed out. When soldiers or airmen find themselves behind enemy lines or in high-risk areas, A-10 pilots coordinate the rescue and escort helicopters in and out of the danger zones. same source

Posted by: thunderb at February 26, 2014 12:05 PM (zOTsN)

91 Mayer annoyed me when he stood on the stage at Crossroads in Chicago and talked about how proud he was to be the next generation of King, Clapton, SRV, Hendrix, Beck, etc.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at February 26, 2014 12:05 PM (7GJd1)

92 Remember when the Democrat pushed through entitlement reform on House of Cards?

Man, that's a funny sitcom.

Posted by: Waterhouse at February 26, 2014 12:05 PM (t8ySh)

93

>>>I guess attack helicopters are supposed to fill the A-10 void?

 

Drones.

Posted by: Bigby's Waving Hands at February 26, 2014 12:05 PM (3ZtZW)

94 72The key is to know how to pronounce the apostrophe.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at February 26, 2014 03:58 PM (4df7R)


Or start putting umlauts over the vowels.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at February 26, 2014 04:01 PM (oFCZn)

 

 

I think it's pretty awesome when you can use it as an ampersand.

Posted by: Armando at February 26, 2014 12:05 PM (5iuEW)

95 He doesn’t think the F-35 — currently priced at up to $169 million per copy — can duplicate this low-altitude, long-loiter time task without the risk of being shot down. “I would rather have an armored aircraft that can take a few shots as opposed to … one of our fifth-generation jets that we can’t afford to replace getting shot down,” he said. Further, the 30 mm cannon is immune to electronic warfare. Future adversaries are going to try to jam communications and try to prevent fighters from deploying their bombs. The U.S. military does not have superiority in space and cyberspace, which leaves communication links vulnerable on battlefields, Davis said. “You can’t electronically jam a gun,” he said. An A-10 can take out about 14 vehicles and other targets per mission. It only takes one of the 30 mm rounds, which are about the size of a Coke bottle, to destroy a vehicle. As for the F-35, he wasn’t at liberty to say, but it isn’t 14, he said.

Posted by: thunderb at February 26, 2014 12:06 PM (zOTsN)

96 a lot of soldiers fought and died in far away places to take that ground.

Why should we just give it back?

Minor niggle, we already gave it back.  Most of our bases in places like the Philippines and Germany are on leased land.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 26, 2014 12:06 PM (4QSOR)

97 80  a lot of soldiers fought and died in far away places to take that ground.

Why should we just give it back?

If you screw up and we go to war with you, you should know we will maintain territory in your sh*tty country forever if we choose.

Posted by: The Obvious Sock at February 26, 2014 04:03 PM (q+zA9)


You misread something there.  At no point did I say give up any ground.  I said bring home all troops in non-US possessions.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 12:06 PM (T2V/1)

98 Mayer annoyed me when he stood on the stage at Crossroads in Chicago and talked about how proud he was to be the next generation of King, Clapton, SRV, Hendrix, Beck, etc.

Posted by: Mr. Dave at February 26, 2014 04:05 PM (7GJd1)

 

 

How was he not killed by      Jimi Hendrix cold-cocking him from the great beyond?

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 12:06 PM (4df7R)

99 good guest, good questions, interesting topic, thanks

Posted by: concrete girl at February 26, 2014 12:06 PM (LhAqq)

100

Frank Gaffney (quoting Naill Ferguson at length) says we are asking for worldwide trouble  (more  death and destruction) .  But you knew that already.

 

http://bit.ly/1hUgIN6

Posted by: MTF at February 26, 2014 12:06 PM (B5y+v)

101 The key is to know how to pronounce the apostrophe. Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at February 26, 2014 03:58 PM (4df7R) The other key is knowing it's an asterisk .

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 26, 2014 12:06 PM (hq5sb)

102 "Peace" Dividend = Moar Free Shit!

Posted by: BuddyPC at February 26, 2014 12:07 PM (jfUIE)

103 Air Force officials have stated publicly that the F-35 isnÂ’t going to be able to precisely duplicate the A-10Â’s missions. But they have reiterated that they need multi-role aircraft.

Posted by: thunderb at February 26, 2014 12:07 PM (zOTsN)

104 It doesn't matter how much defense spending you cut.   You could cut just the bloat, you could cut the stuff that shouldn't be cut, you could cut it all, and it's not going to make a damn bit of difference to our fiscal outlook.   Entitlements are what are bleeding us dry, and those will only be reined in when there's no more money,   real or fake, to use anymore.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 12:07 PM (4df7R)

105 Minor niggle, we already gave it back. Most of our bases in places like the Philippines and Germany are on leased land. And some of our bases are in countries that pay us to be there.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 26, 2014 12:08 PM (SY2Kh)

106 @81 The terrorists won when Bush brought in the terror symp imams days after 9/11. Al Awlaki was a moderate back then. Of course, the Dems are worse. Pelosi has been filmed taking foreign money from CAIR. If US oil drilling, transporting, and refining was freed up at least we would have a better class of sugar daddies for our politicians.

Posted by: Beagle at February 26, 2014 12:08 PM (sOtz/)

107 The crux of the hypotenuse is the apostrophe.

Posted by: Frank's dog at February 26, 2014 12:08 PM (7GJd1)

108

The A-10 warthog replacement. Low budget.

http://tinyurl.com/22v6wsz

 

Posted by: maddogg at February 26, 2014 12:09 PM (xWW96)

109 Air Force officials have stated publicly that the F-35 isnÂ’t going to be able to precisely duplicate the A-10Â’s missions. But they have reiterated that they need multi-role aircraft. Posted by: thunderb at February 26, 2014 04:07 PM (zOTsN) Of course they can't say the F-35 will duplicate the A-10. That's because USAF has been trying to get out of the CAS mission since the 1947 Key West Agreement. This is a win for them.

Posted by: Sean Bannion [/i][/s][/u][/b] at February 26, 2014 12:09 PM (yz6yg)

110 You misread something there. At no point did I say give up any ground. I said bring home all troops in non-US possessions.

Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2014 04:06 PM (T2V/1)

 

ah, got it

Posted by: The Obvious Sock at February 26, 2014 12:09 PM (q+zA9)

111 Ümläüts, ümläüts ëvërÿwhërë, änd nöt än ämpërsänd för më.

Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at February 26, 2014 12:09 PM (A0sHn)

112 [iThe other key is knowing it's an asterisk .

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 26, 2014 04:06 PM (hq5sb) [/i]

 

 

This is representative of the kind of day I'm having.   *HEADDESK*

 

I'm going to retire to the Barrel    for that, just for being so damn stupid.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 12:09 PM (4df7R)

113

I have this old piece of paper that says that defense is one of the primary goals of the federal government, and says nothing about welfare payments.

 

Must be obsolete.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at February 26, 2014 12:09 PM (ZkzmI)

114 A10's have made it back with both wingtips shot off.

Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 12:09 PM (6bMeY)

115 How was he not killed by Jimi Hendrix cold-cocking him from the great beyond?

Zombie Hendrix was too busy kissing "this guy", Little Richard.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 26, 2014 12:10 PM (4QSOR)

116 The key is to know how to pronounce the apostrophe. Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at February 26, 2014 03:58 PM (4df7R) Or start putting umlauts over the vowels.Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at February 26, 2014 04:01 PM (oFCZn) I think it's pretty awesome when you can use it as an ampersand. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&'s for everyone!

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2014 12:10 PM (CRyse)

117

I have this old piece of paper that says that defense is one of the primary goals of the federal government, and says nothing about welfare payments.

 

 

*from the Barrel*

 

Nuh-uh!  It says it right there,  that the gubmint will "provide for the general welfare!"   Lying Reichwinger!

 

Oh, eww...  Something green just ate my shoe...

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 12:10 PM (4df7R)

118 That's because USAF has been trying to get out of the CAS mission since the 1947 Key West Agreement. This is a win for them.

Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 26, 2014 04:09 PM (yz6yg)

 

there is also a reason the USMC maintains their own aircraft as well

Posted by: The Obvious Sock at February 26, 2014 12:11 PM (q+zA9)

119 just quoting the story. AF Generals always want a new sexy toy. Progs think you can win a war with just drones. Its fucked up. We will pay for this some day

Posted by: thunderb at February 26, 2014 12:11 PM (zOTsN)

120 Well, "the World" wanted us gone. Guess we are.

Sho "hope" you like that "change" you elected twice, Ø-Merica.

Posted by: backhoe at February 26, 2014 12:11 PM (ULH4o)

121 "Other cuts include retirement of the Air Force's venerable A-10 Warthog and the Navy will begin the process of losing a carrier, temporarily cut its cruiser fleet in half and reduce the number of Littoral Combat Ships ordered from 52 hulls to 32 over the life of the project."

A few quick thoughts:

-- The USAF white-scarf fighter mafia have ALWAYS hated the Hog. Fought against it from the start. But, you want to know what will make them fight just as hard to keep it? Instead of boneyard retirement, propose giving the Hog to the Army. That thought induces instant white-scarfer panic.

-- Losing a carrier: um, carriers are useful only so long as they embark large, capable air wings. The official forward naval aviation blueprint is now totally committed to the F-35. Onward!

-- But the F-35 is ghastly expensive -- the B and C models are costing over a quarter of a BILLION each at this stage, whereas they had been supposed to be coming down into the even hundred million per unit range by now. The Navy and Marines will simply not be able to buy enough airframes.

-- And the F-35 is an underperformer. The services have been relaxing KPPs (key performance parameters) and stripping out things that should never be removed from a combat jet (e.g., fire suppression) in order to ever so barely make weight. They're also pulling out fuel. Fuel is heavy. But a short-legged draggy jet needs as much fuel as it can carry.

-- So until the F-35 disaster gets sorted out and a clear workable roadmap is in place for what will go on top of the flat-tops, pushing to max out the number of carriers in service is a waste.

-- Cruiser fleet cut in half: these are the classic Ticonderogas. This is a complex question. These ships cost a metric shit-ton of money to build. They are scarce capital assets. A couple have already been made into artificial reefs and razor blades short of their intended service life.

-- But the Ticos are very complex systemswise, and INSURV reports show that the Navy have been horribly shorting them on maintenance. Corrosion problems abound. So putting them back in good order now will be very co$$$$$$tly. Perhaps better to mothball the Ticos and buy more advanced Arleigh Burkes, which have the advantage of standardization -- and maintain them properly from the get-go -- while spending money on a new large cruiser design.

-- LCS being cut back: glory, glory, hallelujah. Take that program out behind the barn and shoot it in the head. Hugely costly, underperforming, fragile: it's the waterborne equivalent of the F-35 and had many of the same inept hands at work in its design.

Posted by: The GOP Consultantocracy at February 26, 2014 12:11 PM (gqT4g)

122 Arrrrgh, off sock from last night's ONT.

Posted by: torquewrench at February 26, 2014 12:11 PM (gqT4g)

123 I'm going to retire to the Barrel for that, just for being so damn stupid. Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at February 26, 2014 04:09 PM (4df7R) On the upside, I just had a trampoline and a remote camera installed in the barrel soÂ…you knowÂ…. Bounce.

Posted by: Sean Bannion [/i][/s][/u][/b] at February 26, 2014 12:11 PM (yz6yg)

124 Swiftly these pulled down the walls that their fathers had made them – The impregnable ramparts of old, they razed and relaid them As playgrounds of pleasure and leisure, with limitless entries, And havens of rest for the wastrels where once walked the sentries; And because there was need of more pay for the shouters and marchers, They disbanded in face of their foemen their yeomen and archers. They replied to their well-wishers’ fears – to their enemies laughter, Saying: “Peace! We have fashioned a God Which shall save us hereafter. We ascribe all dominion to man in his factions conferring, And have given to numbers the Name of the Wisdom unerring.”

Posted by: Brother Cavil at February 26, 2014 12:12 PM (naUcP)

125 Entitlements are what are bleeding us dry, and those will only be reined in when there's no more money, real or fake, to use anymore. Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at February 26, 2014 04:07 PM (4df7R) Do you mean before or after they try to take it from us Kulaks?

Posted by: D-Lamp at February 26, 2014 12:12 PM (bb5+k)

126 Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at February 26, 2014 04:09 PM (4df7R) Oh get out the barrel for gosh sakes. I"m just giving you a hard time!

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 26, 2014 12:12 PM (hq5sb)

127 provide for the general welfare

That phrase is the only reason I have ever questioned the hard-earned wisdom of the Founding Fathers.  How could they NOT think that would be abused, when they anticipated such abuses that warranted inclusion of the Bill of Rights?

Occam's Razor: someone fucked up, and snuck that shit in.

Posted by: grognard at February 26, 2014 12:12 PM (/29Nl)

128 On the upside, I just had a trampoline and a remote camera installed in the barrel soÂ…you knowÂ….

Bounce.

Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 26, 2014 04:11 PM (yz6yg)

 

I think something has nested on the trampoline and laid its eggs there.

 

That, or something very big took a very gelatinous dump right   in the middle.

 

Has anyone seen Michael Moore lately?

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 12:13 PM (4df7R)

129 A 10s have struck fear in the hearts of our enemies, brought hope to our troops on the ground, have a high survivor rate for their mission and cost very little compared to other fixed wing weapons platforms.


Of course they most go. Of course.

Posted by: typo dynamofo at February 26, 2014 12:13 PM (IVgIK)

130 81 I think the Ft Hood attacks response is what sealed the deal for me. Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 04:03 PM (TE35l)


General Casey: diversity shouldnÂ’t be casualty of Fort Hood

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at February 26, 2014 12:13 PM (kVfSG)

131 In other words, it's a huge shit sandwich, and we're all gonna have to take a bite.

Posted by: Lt. Lockhart at February 26, 2014 12:14 PM (Kkt/i)

132 it will be interesting when the weapons systems of the F-35s and the drones are taken out by computer we will miss a flying cannon then

Posted by: thunderb at February 26, 2014 12:14 PM (zOTsN)

133 Do you mean before or after they try to take it from us Kulaks?


Posted by: D-Lamp at February 26, 2014 04:12 PM (bb5+k)

 

Oh, after.   See, as long as there is money somewhere, the gubmint will find a way to get it    to give to their     favored vassals and serfs.  

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 12:14 PM (4df7R)

134 Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2014 03:50 PM (T2V/1) Vic, I agree with 1 - 6 of your proposals but I think cutting foreign aid should be number 1. if we canÂ’t afford to take care of the vets we have now, why support countries that hate us? Pakistan can kiss my ass!

Posted by: Carol at February 26, 2014 12:14 PM (z4WKX)

135 There are a lot of things in our socialist government that can be cut.  Especially bloated socialist programs that are not listed in the Constitution.

1.  Food stamps and all the rest of the farm program/budget including all the bureaucrats. IOW kill all of it.


2. SSDI which is > 50% fraud


3. All of Obamacide


4. The EPA, all of it and its regulations.  That one stroke would cause an immediate jump in the economy.  Send all the regulating power of this to the States.


5. The Obamaphone program which is almost all fraud now.


This is just a start.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 12:14 PM (T2V/1)

136 Oh get out the barrel for gosh sakes. I"m just giving you a hard time!

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 26, 2014 04:12 PM (hq5sb)

 

 

But it was so STUPID.  It's one of those   stupid derp moments that irritate me when I make them.   So, Barrel.

 

But only for a little longer.  Whatever ate my shoe is now trying to do the same to my pant leg.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 12:15 PM (4df7R)

137 My own opinion is that when the whole state is on the right course it is a better thing for each separate individual than when private interests are satisfied but the state as a whole is going downhill. However well off a man may be in his private life, he will still be involved in the general ruin, if his country is destroyed; whereas, so long as the state itself is secure, individuals have a much greater chance of recovering from their private misfortunes. --Thucydides has Pericles say

Posted by: tasker at February 26, 2014 12:15 PM (RJMhd)

138 Entitlements are what are bleeding us dry, and those will only be reined in when there's no more money, real or fake, to use anymore. Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at February 26, 2014 04:07 PM (4df7R) This is an example of what I mean when I say that at some point you have to tell the voters to "Fuck Off!" We will either tell the parasite class to fuck off, or they will be slaughtered in the bloodbath subsequent our financial collapse. Im betting the nation will never have the willpower necessary to do the right thing before it's too late.

Posted by: D-Lamp at February 26, 2014 12:15 PM (bb5+k)

139

Entitlements are what are bleeding us dry, and those will only be reined in when there's no more money, real or fake, to use anymore.

Posted by: MWR

 

-

 

We could cut the defense budget to zero, and still be running deficits due to    'entitlements'

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at February 26, 2014 12:15 PM (ZkzmI)

140 To those who argue that there is bloat to be cut-

Let's not forget that the proposed budget cuts active duty pay and benefits as well as those of the retired.

Posted by: typo dynamofo at February 26, 2014 12:15 PM (IVgIK)

141 133 Vic,
I agree with 1 - 6 of your proposals but I think cutting foreign aid should be number 1. if we can�t afford to take care of the vets we have now, why support countries that hate us? Pakistan can kiss my ass!

Posted by: Carol at February 26, 2014 04:14 PM (z4WKX)


The ranking was necessarily the order of cuts.  It was just the order I thought them up.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 12:15 PM (T2V/1)

142 Even if he was "legally" born in the US, since he literally grew up in a Muzzie country he does not think like a US citizen. He hates the US and is doing everything he can to destroy it. If we had a real congress he would be impeached and tried for treason. Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2014 03:58 PM (T2V/1) Congress knows something we only suspect. That's why they won't do anything but prepare their own escape hatches. Secretly, they are probably the biggest preppers in the country.

Posted by: baldilocks filipova at February 26, 2014 12:16 PM (36Rjy)

143 Oh and Gristle Encased Head... You can cut 100% of Do and not fix a fucking thing...fuck Obama is gonna spend more than he cuts from DoD on new domestic "investments".... Relax bud and enjoy the burning suck. A lot of Luap Nor Kult types and FiCon uber alles are in for a shock. You will not cut asingle civil servant not in DoD and the only reform to entitlements will be Barry nuking Mil pay and benefits and retirement BUT at least the EVIL US military will be defanged.... I am probably gonna go buy a nice Sangria to age to drink when we get nuked. You wanted THIS America? Enjoy I sure as fuck will.

Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 12:16 PM (TE35l)

144 A-10 to the Army.

Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 12:17 PM (6bMeY)

145 Do you mean before or after they try to take it from us Kulaks? If they are smart, before. If they have a death wish, after.

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2014 12:17 PM (CRyse)

146 Hummmmm. Us getting nuked. Sometimes that sounds better than Smod.

Posted by: maddogg at February 26, 2014 12:17 PM (xWW96)

147 Who needs Littoral combat ships when you can have Clitoral combat ships? U.S.S. Golden Diaphragam

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 12:18 PM (olDqf)

148 Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at February 26, 2014 04:15 PM (4df7R)

No, sorry that was me.

Posted by: Mega at February 26, 2014 12:18 PM (hHFOx)

149 Madison delivering a warning RE the "General Welfare clause":

If Congress can apply money indefinitely to the general welfare, and are the sole and supreme judges of the general welfare, they may take the care of religion into their own hands; they may establish teachers in every State, county, and parish, and pay them out of the public Treasury; they may take into their own hands the education of children, establishing in like manner schools throughout the Union; they may undertake the regulation of all roads other than post roads. In short, everything from the highest object of State legislation, down to the most minute object of police, would be thrown under the power of Congress; for every object I have mentioned would admit the application of money, and might be called, if Congress pleased, provisions for the general welfare.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 26, 2014 12:18 PM (4QSOR)

150

Every program that the federal government funds is rife with fraud and overspending, but at least defense is authorized by the constitution.

 

The answer to government fraud and waste isn't 'trying to fix' the programs,    the answer is to get the federal government out of the business of spending money on     programs that    they aren't authorized to be involved in.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at February 26, 2014 12:19 PM (ZkzmI)

151 Who needs Littoral combat ships when you can have Clitoral combat ships?

USS Dolores

Posted by: Waterhouse at February 26, 2014 12:19 PM (t8ySh)

152 Let's not forget that the proposed budget cuts active duty pay and benefits as well as those of the retired.

Posted by: typo dynamofo at February 26, 2014 04:15 PM (IVgIK)

 

"Well of COURSE they do,  silly.    See, "bloat" is just another way of saying "making busy work for favored groups and people."   You can't cut THAT spending because then you might not get so many campaign contributions from those people.   So instead you cut the pay and bene's of    people who   probably aren't going to vote for you anyway     and aren't at liberty to bitch about you in   the press.    And no one listens to vets because they're all PTSD-addled lunatics who're   one second away from blowing away a school bus full of toddlers."

 

- Demonrat strategists everywhere

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 12:19 PM (4df7R)

153 141  Congress knows something we only suspect. That's why they won't do anything but prepare their own escape hatches. Secretly, they are probably the biggest preppers in the country.

Posted by: baldilocks filipova at February 26, 2014 04:16 PM (36Rjy)



They have that big underground resort in WV.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 12:19 PM (T2V/1)

154 Is there at least one - ONE - fucking general or admiral who has the stones and the integrity to publicly resign and denounce the CinC and his political party of traitors? Not even one among you????

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 12:19 PM (olDqf)

155

The Warthog will never die.  You can't kill it.

Posted by: eleven at February 26, 2014 12:19 PM (VhqUZ)

156 USS Dolores Posted by: Waterhouse at February 26, 2014 04:19 PM (t8ySh) Sister ship of the USS Mulva

Posted by: Sean Bannion [/i][/s][/u][/b] at February 26, 2014 12:19 PM (yz6yg)

157 Are Littoral Combat Ships loaded with lawyers?

Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 12:20 PM (6bMeY)

158
If Congress can apply money indefinitely to the general welfare, and
are the sole and supreme judges of the general welfare, they may take
the care of religion into their own hands; they may establish teachers
in every State, county, and parish, and pay them out of the public
Treasury; they may take into their own hands the education of children,
establishing in like manner schools throughout the Union; they may
undertake the regulation of all roads other than post roads. In short,
everything from the highest object of State legislation, down to the
most minute object of police, would be thrown under the power of
Congress; for every object I have mentioned would admit the application
of money, and might be called, if Congress pleased, provisions for the
general welfare.

Posted by: bonhomme at February 26, 2014 04:18 PM (4QSOR)



And there. you. fucking. have. it.


Posted by: grognard at February 26, 2014 12:20 PM (/29Nl)

159 139 Typo YNAMoFo, They know they are thrilled. It's okay I don't even care anymore. I am to the point if it was cardiac distress I'll be happy. Only MY party could be thrilled to fuck its loyal military voter and think "we are wining" while Obama gives the Shutdown NPS Gestapo raises. It's why letting go is easier all the time. I'll bet you money the General Staffs don't shrink to scale with the rest of the force. The Navy already has more Admirals than WW2 did.

Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 12:20 PM (TE35l)

160 A-10's are like flying Honey Badgers.

Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 12:21 PM (6bMeY)

161 @12 You just could not be any more wrong. The A-10 was the personal project of Col John Boyd, the founder of the Fighter Mafia who you blame for the sinking of the Ostfriesland and everything since. USAF is very proud of the aircraft and its mission. But the mission costs money, and they are taking money away.

You would like to see the rest of the Air Force shut down to preserve this airplane? LOOK. Branches get x, well now it's x-a few billion, to run every program they're mandated. When the minus part gets bigger, they start accounting for costs.

You have to get over your War Between the Services outlook, or we'll...
never mind. You won't, and we will. Congratulations. Your side wins! 
Just despicable.

Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 26, 2014 12:21 PM (xq1UY)

162 155 Sister ship of the USS Mulva Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 26, 2014 04:19 PM (yz6yg) They have top secret muff diving teamsÂ….

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 12:21 PM (olDqf)

163 Yeah what is it, like 5% of the people who serve go all the way and get full pension and benefits? Yeah it's those guys and gals that are really hurting us.

Posted by: Adam at February 26, 2014 12:21 PM (Aif/5)

164 I don't trust the military brass to serve the interests of the military, now, so by extension the safety and security of the people - one of the few useful roles of a Central government. Washington is increasingly infested by - is traitors to strong a word?

Posted by: tubal at February 26, 2014 12:21 PM (YEQ2h)

165 Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at February 26, 2014 04:19 PM (4df7R) I will say this much: one of my friends wants out after the last few years so these cuts may benefit him at least.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 26, 2014 12:21 PM (hq5sb)

166

Looks like Madison nailed it perfectly.

Posted by: maddogg at February 26, 2014 12:21 PM (xWW96)

167 Are Littoral Combat Ships loaded with lawyers?

Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 04:20 PM (6bMeY)

 

 

No no, those are the Litagal   Combat Ships.

 

Not to be confused with the Conjugal   Combat Ships, which are totally another matter.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 12:21 PM (4df7R)

168 Alexander Hamilton was the fuck-up.  No wonder Burr killed his ass.

Posted by: grognard at February 26, 2014 12:22 PM (/29Nl)

169 160 Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 26, 2014 04:21 PM (xq1UY) I'm coup coup for Coup Coup puffs...

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 12:22 PM (olDqf)

170 Look your military cuts will all come in good time--promise! Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow, Don't stop, it'll soon be here, It'll be, better than before, Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone. Golly--don't you all just love that song!

Posted by: Hillary! at February 26, 2014 12:22 PM (RJMhd)

171

you can have Clitoral combat ships

 

Hah! They can't shoot what they can't find. 

Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at February 26, 2014 12:23 PM (A0sHn)

172 167Alexander Hamilton was the fuck-up. No wonder Burr killed his ass.

Posted by: grognard at February 26, 2014 04:22 PM (/29Nl)

 

 

 

 

I have to admit, Hamilton was asking for it.

Posted by: maddogg at February 26, 2014 12:23 PM (xWW96)

173

you can have Clitoral combat ships


Hah! They can't shoot what they can't find.

 

Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at February 26, 2014 04:23 PM (A0sHn)

 

 

Close up shop,   we have a thread winner.   Everyone pack up your bags   and go home.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 12:24 PM (4df7R)

174 167 Alexander Hamilton was the fuck-up. No wonder Burr killed his ass. Posted by: grognard at February 26, 2014 04:22 PM (/29Nl) IIRC, Burr was a Democrat. And he tried to take over half of the country with the Spanish?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 12:24 PM (olDqf)

175 Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2014 04:14 PM (T2V/1) Since you are dreaming, you might as well wish for a Ferrari in every driveway. I agree with your ideas, but because the parasite class keeps Dems in power, none of this stuff is ever going to happen until long after the last wheelbarrow full of Zimbabwe dollars has trundled off to the liquor store.

Posted by: D-Lamp at February 26, 2014 12:24 PM (bb5+k)

176 I'll bet you money the General Staffs don't shrink to scale with the rest of the force. The Navy already has more Admirals than WW2 did. Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 04:20 PM (TE35l) And this is why you won't see any brass resigning over these cuts. They got theirs.

Posted by: mugiwara at February 26, 2014 12:24 PM (o0+9j)

177 >>Air Force officials have stated publicly that the F-35 isnÂ’t going to be able to precisely duplicate the A-10Â’s missions. But they have reiterated that they need multi-role aircraft. <<

AF pussies never liked the A-10. They've been trying to kill it for years.

The A-10 is effective in its role. It flies slower and is more effective putting large amounts of ordnance on target than any other platform. Better than Apaches. Better than the unproven F-35 (which is a joke in a CAS role. The argument against that type of aircraft in that role has been effectively made for the last 25 years at least).

The gun/avionics issue is dated BTW.

This decision will cost good men their lives and these shit-stains will be long gone. But I hope the heroes families piss on their graves or go to the retiement villa in Boca and kick them in the balls. Fuckers.

Posted by: Marcus T at February 26, 2014 12:24 PM (GGCsk)

178 Both Hamilton and Burr were assholes.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit [/s][/u][/b][/i] at February 26, 2014 12:25 PM (4df7R)

179 145 MaedDog, It's what I see coming. Ogabe loves Islam hav ing nukes, Iran just had ships off ourshore at the 13 mile marker. I don't care anymore. Hell the UN ceded its ASW excellence a while back as well as its anti-mine domination. The Army is basically a PSA support group. Break the military-if it saves just one Obamafo it is worth it.

Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 12:25 PM (TE35l)

180 As obama/hagel devastate the Military, they want to spend 100 billion more on a worthless stimulus. And the Republicans are silent.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 12:25 PM (nzKvP)

181 Hamilton on the $10 was never president. I get him confused with the short guy Madison who led the light infantry at Yorktown.

Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 12:25 PM (6bMeY)

182 I'll bet you money the General Staffs don't shrink to scale with the rest of the force. The Navy already has more Admirals than WW2 did. Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 04:20 PM (TE35l) ActuallyÂ….the HQ staff and "fourth estate" is getting cut by 20%. No shit. It's already happening.

Posted by: Sean Bannion [/i][/s][/u][/b] at February 26, 2014 12:25 PM (yz6yg)

183 174  Posted by: D-Lamp at February 26, 2014 04:24 PM (bb5+k)


I made no claim that the corrupt bastards in Washington would do any of that.  As I said early this morning, I have come to embrace the DOOM.



I'll save my liver and live longer that way.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 12:25 PM (T2V/1)

184 IIRC, Burr was a Democrat. And he tried to take over half of the country with the Spanish?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 04:24 PM (olDqf)


Burr could have been Benedict Arnold for all that I care.  Damn shame he didn't have the duel with Hamilton sooner.

Posted by: grognard at February 26, 2014 12:26 PM (/29Nl)

185 This all started with the Sequester and all the Republicans in Congress who went along with this should be shot

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 12:27 PM (nzKvP)

186

Both Hamilton and Burr were assholes.

 

This is not out of the realm of possibility.

Posted by: eleven at February 26, 2014 12:27 PM (GXZgZ)

187 177Both Hamilton and Burr were assholes.

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at February 26, 2014 04:25 PM (4df7R)

 

 

 

Yep, but one might consider one's assholeness knowing one's marksmanship could not compare to the other asshole's marksmanship.

Posted by: maddogg at February 26, 2014 12:27 PM (xWW96)

188 ***(Conflict of Interest Alert)***(I work for Lockheed)*** That said, the requirements for the F35 were mandated by the government. Myself, I think they try to do too much with that airframe. I don't think it will be excellent in all the different roles they want. Much like Hitler wanted the ME262 to have a ground support role that delayed its deployment until so late in the war that it was irrelevant to the outcome. Had they introduced it as an air superiority fighter in 1943, it could have changed the outcome of the air war over Europe.

Posted by: LFW - Honorary Pointy-Eared Vulcan at February 26, 2014 12:27 PM (kZVsz)

189 The ONLY part of the Gov really taking a haircut is the DOD.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 12:28 PM (nzKvP)

190 Posted by: bonhomme at February 26, 2014 04:18 PM (4QSOR) James Madison was one smart MF.

Posted by: D-Lamp at February 26, 2014 12:28 PM (bb5+k)

191 Burr actually committed real treason and he was save by his buddy Adams IIRC because Adams hated Jefferson more that Burr's treason.


All was not roses and honey in those days either. 

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 12:28 PM (T2V/1)

192 188 The ONLY part of the Gov really taking a haircut is the DOD. Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 04:28 PM (nzKvP) What else is new?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 12:29 PM (olDqf)

193 160 Stringer Davis, That's hilarious...no really. A zoomie telling the Army to get over the USAF's dominaion of the procurement follies? I am finally past giving a fuck about the army so now at last I am free to make sure ALL branches get fucked. Enjoy.

Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 12:29 PM (TE35l)

194 Sorry if this has been said but chances are that China will make a serious move on Japan pretty soon as their internal politics and economic realities force their path to conclusion. This administration will almost certainly refuse to honor our treaty with Japan when that happens and at the end of the day that ceding of naval power to China will be used as a justification to junk our navy. Self fulfilling events.

Posted by: Daybrother at February 26, 2014 12:29 PM (hSfh3)

195 Don't worry my little reichwingers, we're building a civilian security force as well funded as the military, if not better. 

Posted by: Barack O'Stalin at February 26, 2014 12:29 PM (Q6pxP)

196 Pakistan can kiss my ass! Posted by: Carol

Infidelette ass is haram.

Posted by: It's a fatwa, look it up[/i][/b][/s] at February 26, 2014 12:29 PM (DL2i+)

197

Posted by: LFW - Honorary Pointy-Eared Vulcan at February 26, 2014 04:27 PM (kZVsz)

They learned nothing from the F-111 experience.

Posted by: maddogg at February 26, 2014 12:29 PM (xWW96)

198 One other thing Defense Spending usually does is create jobs, the one thing the rest of the Gov is terrible at.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 12:29 PM (nzKvP)

199 where would i look for the real numbers of corporate welfare and what we typically refer to as welfare?

Posted by: willow at February 26, 2014 12:29 PM (nqBYe)

200 So we're militarizing the civilian police force and shrinking the military?

I wonder why anyone would want to do that.

Posted by: Tomas Tomas at February 26, 2014 12:30 PM (hrqLe)

201 OT: Anyone else hate flying as much as I do? Got a 6 o'clock flight, so I'm currently busy at the airport bar putting down as much booze as I can manage before boarding. With any luck I'll be black out by takeoff!

Posted by: mugiwara at February 26, 2014 12:30 PM (o0+9j)

202 Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 26, 2014 04:25 PM (yz6yg) Should this upset me? Because it doesn't. Admirals should not have private chefs.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 26, 2014 12:30 PM (hq5sb)

203 I heard somewhere that Japan had nukes. Is that wrong?

Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 12:30 PM (6bMeY)

204 193 Posted by: Daybrother at February 26, 2014 04:29 PM (hSfh3) Amazing how a few short years can change a sentence from looney bin territory to prescience. Very frightening, though I expect them to hit Taiwan first of annex the Spratley's off the Philippines.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 12:31 PM (olDqf)

205 184 NeverGiveUp, NGU it's a long list. Fuck it....17 years and change and now it is even odds on if she can finish. I hate thse fuckrs so much it tore my ribcage apart.

Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 12:31 PM (TE35l)

206 They learned nothing from the F-111 experience. Posted by: maddogg at February 26, 2014 04:29 PM (xWW96) Actually that is not true. What they learned lead to the F-15 an F-16 and F-18. What happened is they then forgot the lesson. Some lessons have to be learned twice in every generation

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 12:31 PM (nzKvP)

207 202 I heard somewhere that Japan had nukes. Is that wrong? Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 04:30 PM (6bMeY) As far as I know they don't, but they should get them...like two years ago.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at February 26, 2014 12:32 PM (oFCZn)

208 202 Boss Moss, Sorta. Japan does not have nuclear weapons. They can in about 30 minutes though.

Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 12:32 PM (TE35l)

209 200 OT: Anyone else hate flying as much as I do? Got a 6 o'clock flight, so I'm currently busy at the airport bar putting down as much booze as I can manage before boarding. With any luck I'll be black out by takeoff! Posted by: mugiwara at February 26, 2014 04:30 PM (o0+9j) I love flying. It's the plummeting from 35,000 feet that I'm not too keen on.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 12:32 PM (olDqf)

210 >>That said, the requirements for the F35 were mandated by the government. Myself, I think they try to do too much with that airframe. <<

It's mostly the smart-bomb kool-aid drinkers and people who think that OCA and DCA will fully replace that role. They mention CAS as some type of after fucking thought. They should get out of their comfy chairs and put their asses on the ground in a combat zone when the A-10 is flying once or twice.

Posted by: Marcus T at February 26, 2014 12:33 PM (GGCsk)

211 IIRC, Burr was a Democrat. And he tried to take over half of the country with the Spanish?

Burr was a Republican and Hamilton was a Federalist.  Burr was tried for treason for an amazingly complicated plot that involved instigating war with Spain, then taking the territories.

Jefferson publicly announced he knew about the plot and advised people not to support it.  Support for Burr's scheme collapsed. 

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at February 26, 2014 12:33 PM (4QSOR)

212

I heard somewhere that Japan had nukes.

 

Two. So far.

Posted by: Fat Man and Little Boy at February 26, 2014 12:33 PM (A0sHn)

213 With any luck I'll be black out by takeoff!

Posted by: mugiwara at February 26, 2014 04:30 PM (o0+9j)


Microaggression!  Microaggression!

Posted by: Boy who cried microaggression at February 26, 2014 12:33 PM (tv7DV)

214 It's the plummeting from 35,000 feet that I'm not too keen on. Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 04:32 PM (olDqf) Actually the plummeting can be fun. It's the abrupt stop that sucks

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 12:33 PM (nzKvP)

215 184 This all started with the Sequester and all the Republicans in Congress who went along with this should be shot Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 04:27 PM (nzKvP) That may yet come to pass, sir.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 12:33 PM (olDqf)

216 The duel between Hamilton and Burr was not all "marksmanship".  Accounts say that Hamilton fired his shot in the air to satisfy honor and end the duel.  Burr then took calm aim and shot him.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 12:34 PM (T2V/1)

217 Yeah, I think the Japs could be nuke over a lunch hour. No testing required.

Posted by: maddogg at February 26, 2014 12:34 PM (xWW96)

218 One other thing Defense Spending usually does is create jobs, the one thing the rest of the Gov is terrible at. Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 04:29 PM (nzKvP) MmmmmmmÂ…..the evidence on that is mixed at best. If I were defending the DoD budget, I wouldn't stake my argument on that. Every dollar that goes to DoD contractors could also have potentially generated higher impact spillover effects in the economy. DoD is not the jobs engine it's been made out to be. Yes it creates jobs. No it doesn't create more jobs than a number of other activities. I think the better argument is, "DoD's mission is specified in the Constitution, Department of EducationÂ…not so much" Or evenÂ… "Having a Labor Department isn't much good if we're all dead."

Posted by: Sean Bannion [/i][/s][/u][/b] at February 26, 2014 12:34 PM (yz6yg)

219
I'd be happy if they cut everything across the board the same as DOD.

But that will not be the case for the next 3 years or 11.

So teh boning will continue whether 75% of the nation agrees with me or you or the guest speaker or not.  The leftists have found their glide path and they will not deviate from course.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at February 26, 2014 12:34 PM (n0DEs)

220 I imagine the Indians might be stealthily aiding the Japs with nuke tech, though the latter are quite adept at building one on their own.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 12:35 PM (olDqf)

221 Too bad politicians don't fight duels anymore.

Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 12:35 PM (6bMeY)

222 Okay internet   --  does Japan have nukes or not?

Posted by: eleven at February 26, 2014 12:35 PM (GXZgZ)

223 Oops n/m  --  I missed the joke.

Posted by: eleven at February 26, 2014 12:36 PM (GXZgZ)

224 215The duel between Hamilton and Burr was not all "marksmanship". Accounts say that Hamilton fired his shot in the air to satisfy honor and end the duel. Burr then took calm aim and shot him.

Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2014 04:34 PM (T2V/1)

 

 

Depends on who you read. but Hamilton wrote shit publicly about Burr that he knew would burn his ass enough to challenge him to a duel, and yet persisted.

Posted by: maddogg at February 26, 2014 12:36 PM (xWW96)

225 215 The duel between Hamilton and Burr was not all "marksmanship". Accounts say that Hamilton fired his shot in the air to satisfy honor and end the duel. Burr then took calm aim and shot him. Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2014 04:34 PM (T2V/1) If that ain't the perfect metaphor for the interaction between today's GOP and the Dems, then I don't know what is.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 12:36 PM (olDqf)

226 Even Hamilton would think the modern leviathan state is out of control. Don't see him favoring a temple for thousands of education bureaucrats who don't teach, to name one.

Posted by: Beagle at February 26, 2014 12:36 PM (sOtz/)

227 Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 26, 2014 04:34 PM (yz6yg) Considering much of what this obama gov is doing actually destroys jobs, I'd rather my money go to the DOD. But your point is taken.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 12:36 PM (nzKvP)

228 Amazing how a few short years can change a sentence from looney bin territory to prescience. Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 04:31 PM (olDqf) ‘What all the wise men promised has not happened, and what all the damned fools said would happen has come to pass.’ — Lord Melbourne —

Posted by: D-Lamp at February 26, 2014 12:36 PM (bb5+k)

229 A10's have made it back with both wingtips shot off. And half the tail plane.

Posted by: Schwalbe: The Me-262© at February 26, 2014 12:36 PM (9Bdcz)

230 220 Too bad politicians don't fight duels anymore.

Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 04:35 PM (6bMeY)


At the rime of that duel it was already illegal in both NY and NJ where the duel took place.  They went to NJ because the law was not actively enforced there as it was in NY.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 12:36 PM (T2V/1)

231 It's the plummeting from 35,000 feet that I'm not too keen on. Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 04:32 PM (olDqf) Ok then! Last post and it's back to lurking for me. I need to get drunker faster.

Posted by: mugiwara at February 26, 2014 12:37 PM (o0+9j)

232 Should this upset me? Because it doesn't. Admirals should not have private chefs. Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 26, 2014 04:30 PM (hq5sb) Ummm, if that's what you think it;'s all about, then you go ahead and stick with that. It's flip, ill-informed, and idiotic, but you can still use it as an argument.

Posted by: Sean Bannion [/i][/s][/u][/b] at February 26, 2014 12:37 PM (yz6yg)

233 I'd be happy if they cut everything across the board the same as DOD. Unless that includes the entitlements, it's just farting in the wind

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 12:37 PM (nzKvP)

234

One other thing Defense Spending usually does is create jobs, the one thing the rest of the Gov is terrible at.
Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 04:29 PM (nzKvP)


MmmmmmmÂ…..the evidence on that is mixed at best.

 

It creates specific jobs in specific congressional districts, which is why military procurement will never be done rationally.  CT is a pinko state where everyone hates defense spending, except on helicopters and submarines.  Helicopters and submarines are teh bomb.

Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at February 26, 2014 12:37 PM (A0sHn)

235 Roofing guy finally gone. Eight grand, hopefully getting materials delivered late next week.

Posted by: Lincolntf at February 26, 2014 12:38 PM (ZshNr)

236 You can cut 100% of Do and not fix a fucking thing...fuck Obama is gonna spend more than he cuts from DoD on new domestic "investments"....

Nobody said anything was going to get fixed with this dumbass at the helm. However, there is no question that the DoD is a bloated, corpulent retard. Jerrold Nadler should be the mascot. I'm sick of the fucking ratchet on spending only going one way on every goddamned program.

Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at February 26, 2014 12:38 PM (+lsX1)

237 Okay internet -- does Japan have nukes or not? No. But they do have Godzirra!

Posted by: rickb223 at February 26, 2014 12:38 PM (CRyse)

238 Burr was a Republican and Hamilton was a Federalist. Point of order, the party was the Democratic-Republicans, from which the modern Democrats descend.

Posted by: Brother Cavil at February 26, 2014 12:38 PM (naUcP)

239 Okay internet -- does Japan have nukes or not?

Posted by: eleven at February 26, 2014 04:35 PM (GXZgZ)

 

I don't think they ahve any made.

 

My understanding they can make one in a few weeks.

 

they have everything needed to assemble one including the technology

Posted by: The Obvious Sock at February 26, 2014 12:38 PM (q+zA9)

240 230 Ok then! Last post and it's back to lurking for me. I need to get drunker faster. Posted by: mugiwara at February 26, 2014 04:37 PM (o0+9j) Can you get hold of a quaalude?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 12:38 PM (olDqf)

241 223 Posted by: maddogg at February 26, 2014 04:36 PM (xWW96)


There was no love lost between either of them. And based on the events following the duel I would say that anything bad said about Burr was probably accurate.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 12:38 PM (T2V/1)

242 >>"Having a Labor Department isn't much good if we're all dead."<<

They should carve that in a few people that reside in DC's foreheads...

Posted by: Marcus T at February 26, 2014 12:38 PM (GGCsk)

243
Unless that includes the entitlements, it's just farting in the wind<<<<<<<

Everything, includes everything.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at February 26, 2014 12:39 PM (n0DEs)

244 Considering much of what this obama gov is doing actually destroys jobs, I'd rather my money go to the DOD. But your point is taken. Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 04:36 PM (nzKvP) For the record, I'm completely on your side. This is what I do for work. But I've learned that no matter how stupid the political arguments are from the Hill, the only way the senior DoD manager is going to win the argument is to have better data, and more data than they do. And to anticipate their arguments. Politicians get to be stupid. Professionals don't.

Posted by: Sean Bannion [/i][/s][/u][/b] at February 26, 2014 12:39 PM (yz6yg)

245 However, there is no question that the DoD is a bloated, corpulent retard Yeah? Where? The specifics? More so than the resort of the Gov?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 12:39 PM (nzKvP)

246 238 Posted by: The Obvious Sock at February 26, 2014 04:38 PM (q+zA9) I'm sure they have had one ready to be armed probably for the past few months.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 12:39 PM (olDqf)

247 >>>I guess attack helicopters are supposed to fill the A-10 void?

Drones.

Posted by: Bigby's Waving Hands at February 26, 2014 04:05 PM (3ZtZW)


What good is the GOP establishment going to provide in a CAS scenario?

Posted by: flounder at February 26, 2014 12:39 PM (Kkt/i)

248 But do the nips have an MRBM? Or perhaps they'll air drop them from a fast fighter plane?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 12:40 PM (olDqf)

249 There was no love lost between either of them. And based on the events following the duel I would say that anything bad said about Burr was probably accurate.

Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2014 04:38 PM (T2V/1)

The gist of the deal is that they really did loath one another. So did a lot of the founding fathers, but the rest of them managed to stay off the dueling green.

Posted by: maddogg at February 26, 2014 12:40 PM (xWW96)

250 158 The Navy already has more Admirals than WW2 did.Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 04:20 PM (TE35l)
I've heard the Navy has more Admirals than ships.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at February 26, 2014 12:40 PM (kVfSG)

251 Unless that includes the entitlements, it's just farting in the wind<<<<<<< Everything, includes everything. Posted by: Guy Mohawk at February 26, 2014 04:39 PM (n0DEs) Yeah I get ya, but since not one penny has yet been cut from any Entitlement, well.......

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 12:40 PM (nzKvP)

252 It creates specific jobs in specific congressional districts, which is why military procurement will never be done rationally. CT is a pinko state where everyone hates defense spending, except on helicopters and submarines. Helicopters and submarines are teh bomb. Posted by: Frumious Bandersnatch at February 26, 2014 04:37 PM (A0sHn) THIS. AndÂ…I have 2 projects in Connecticut right now. They luuuuves them some defense when the knives come for itÂ…not so much when they vote for the budgets that suck money from defense and pump it to DoED, DoL, HHS and HUD.

Posted by: Sean Bannion [/i][/s][/u][/b] at February 26, 2014 12:41 PM (yz6yg)

253 Japan could have nukes in, what, months? Their breakout potential has to be as high as any non-nuclear state. Non-military nuclear I mean.

Posted by: Beagle at February 26, 2014 12:41 PM (sOtz/)

254 new one, bring Willow

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 12:41 PM (T2V/1)

255 Japan is said to have right much weapons grade Plutonium.

Posted by: Boss Moss at February 26, 2014 12:41 PM (6bMeY)

256 Or perhaps they'll air drop them from a fast fighter plane?

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 04:40 PM (olDqf)

 

no idea on if they have a delivery system.

 

Guessing they have thought of that tho

Posted by: The Obvious Sock at February 26, 2014 12:41 PM (q+zA9)

257 1. Close every base not in actual US possessions, 2. Return every US soldier to CONUS and cancel all US commitments except with our strongest allies such as Great Britain. 3. Get Congress totally out of the Military procurement and base closing process. We can no longer afford crony corruption. Sure there was some in 1942 but NOTHING like what we have now. 4. Cancel completely every program in the military that is not directly related to the military. 5. As troops are fired make sure that for every 1,000 line troops 1 senior pentagon general/Admiral is fired with them. 6. Cancel ALL foreign aid. If we can not afford our military we can afford anyone else's either. Agree completely and zero dollars to the UN. Boot the fuckers out of New York and put them in a GP Medium in the middle of the Sudan. Global Warming that, you pole-smoking bastards. This is just a start. Posted by: Vic at February 26, 2014 03:50 PM (T2V/1) Leave no acronym-ed agency untouched.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at February 26, 2014 12:41 PM (Lj2lE)

258
yeah thats why I said it would never happen.  Leftists and their glide path and such.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at February 26, 2014 12:42 PM (n0DEs)

259 101 "Peace" Dividend = Moar Free Shit!

Posted by: BuddyPC at February 26, 2014 04:07 PM (jfUIE)


Worked for Clinton, until September 11, 2001.  Oh well. Gird your loins.

Posted by: flounder at February 26, 2014 12:42 PM (Kkt/i)

260 Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 26, 2014 04:39 PM (yz6yg) I hear ya. I am just furious that the only Federal Agency really getting cut is Defense. And I am more pissed with the so called Conservatives since I expected this from the liberals/democrats

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 12:42 PM (nzKvP)

261 Another 3 years of da Zero and Stanley and True Temper will be major military contractors.

Posted by: maddogg at February 26, 2014 12:42 PM (xWW96)

262 nood

Posted by: The Obvious Sock at February 26, 2014 12:42 PM (q+zA9)

263 Defense hardware in production generates probably about 50% in marginal profits for the contractors, and their subcontractors.  This a) creates taxable income and b) spawns  investment capital.  The problem is when too much money is spent on people and new hardware development, which have zero/minimal profitability and thus generate much lower economic stimulus.  If 2009 stimulus had been about jobs, we would have built a shit load of F16/F18/C17 and M1A Abrams.

Posted by: phreshone at February 26, 2014 12:42 PM (Q6pxP)

264 231 Sean Bannion, Ft Jackson gives the General's wife ~ 125,000 to remodel the "historic house" which is rotated every 2.5 to 3 years. Yeah there's nothing to be cut but the A-10 and troop density. I am GLAD this is hapening God help me, and I want those Staff Oficers to feel the pain they aided the politicians on inflicting on the enlisted all these years.

Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 12:43 PM (TE35l)

265 Can you get hold of a quaalude? Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 04:38 PM (olDqf) Lol! Last post for real this time. I brought a hash brownie, it's strong. I think it'll do the trick

Posted by: mugiwara at February 26, 2014 12:44 PM (o0+9j)

266 Get Congress totally out of the Military procurement and base closing process. We can no longer afford crony corruption. Sure there was some in 1942 but NOTHING like what we have now. Congress IS out of the military base closing process. That's what the BRAC Commission is all about. It's so Congress can have plausible deniability when their local base is cut. The only say Congress has about base closure is authorizing the Pentagon to begin the process. Once they do, that thing is on auto-pilot and cannot be stopped.

Posted by: Sean Bannion [/i][/s][/u][/b] at February 26, 2014 12:44 PM (yz6yg)

267 Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 26, 2014 04:37 PM (yz6yg) It is flip because I'm typing quickly. My point is there is room at the top to reorganize. There's a mandarin class in the military as well (sadly.)

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 26, 2014 12:44 PM (hq5sb)

268 1. Close every base not in actual US possessions, 2. Return every US soldier to CONUS and cancel all US commitments except with our strongest allies such as Great Britain. Actually that is an incredibly bad idea and would actually cost us more eventually in both money and lives

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 12:44 PM (nzKvP)

269 Yeah? Where? The specifics? More so than the resort of the Gov?

Jesus Christ. It's all bloated. Are you saying there's no fat to be cut from a $680 billion government program? This is why everything is fucked. Both sides are full of retards.

Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at February 26, 2014 12:45 PM (+lsX1)

270 259 NeverGiveUp, Paul Ryan is largely why I am at "aw fuck it" level about the GOP. The GOP shot the military in the back for no gain. I plan to do the same in reverse.

Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 12:45 PM (TE35l)

271 Okay internet -- does Japan have nukes or not?

ARTICLE 9. Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes. (2) To accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of  belligerency of the state will not be recognized.

http://tinyurl.com/ob5flo

The interpretation of Article 9, has been determined that Japan cannot hold offensive military weapons — this has been interpreted to mean that Japan cannot have ICBMs, nuclear weapons, aircraft carriers or bomber fleets. This has not inhibited the deployment of submarines, AEGIS equipped destroyers, a helicopter carrier, and fighter planes.

So given their advanced manufacturing, nuclear industry, etc hours to months after they change their mind.

Posted by: DaveA[/i][/b][/s] at February 26, 2014 12:45 PM (DL2i+)

272

Reducing military capabilities to December 6, 1941 levels will bring about a December 7, 1941 result.

 

Bad guys are on the move. I give it two years--at most--before one them alone or all of them acting more or less in concert commits a provocation too big and too brazen for even Obama to ignore or the media to spin. Say, for example, China escalates its dispute with Japan over those rocks they've been bickering about, or extends its coastal sovereignity to encompass the whole of the South China Sea. Then what? 

 

With reason, President Obama is perceived as feckless, indecisive and weak. Seems to me our enemies would want to try something ambitious before he leaves office.

Posted by: troyriser at February 26, 2014 12:45 PM (V9ol4)

273 255 Or perhaps they'll air drop them from a fast fighter plane? Posted by: J.J. Sefton at February 26, 2014 04:40 PM (olDqf) no idea on if they have a delivery system. Guessing they have thought of that tho Posted by: The Obvious Sock at February 26, 2014 04:41 PM (q+zA9) I would guess so. The concept is well over 60 years old.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Rounding Error Extraordinaire at February 26, 2014 12:46 PM (Lj2lE)

274 Once they do, that thing is on auto-pilot and cannot be stopped. Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 26, 2014 04:44 PM (yz6yg) Incidentally, this is why nobody wants a BRAC right now. I'm not saying we need one, just pointing out that nobody really wants to wind up that toy right now.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 26, 2014 12:46 PM (hq5sb)

275 Progs think you can win a war with just drones. Its fucked up. We will pay for this some day

Posted by: thunderb at February 26, 2014 04:11 PM (zOTsN)


What?  It worked in the Battle of Britain with the V1s and V2s.

Posted by: Progs at February 26, 2014 12:46 PM (Kkt/i)

276 I don't mind slashing the DoD/Pentagon budget during peacetime. I do mind slashing it when we've got combat troops involved in shootin' wars - while they are scattered all over the globe. Not everything that happens in other nations is a national security issue. It isn't our business or job to save other nations from themselves or to bring democracy to them at the point of a gun. In fact, if we're doing the latter, we're doing it wrong. otoh, if they attack us or financially/economically support an attack against us, bomb them into the stone age, kill them until they lack the bodies, means, wiliness and ability to fight back, take all of their shiny stuff, then sow their entire nation with salt. The problem with having a 'big stick' is that politicians use it for every eventuality, not just those that involve physical threats against the nation and our people. Give them a bigger hammer and they see nothing but nails. (You're one of those nails.)

Posted by: Warren Bonesteel at February 26, 2014 12:46 PM (klGLB)

277 My point is there is room at the top to reorganize. There's a mandarin class in the military as well (sadly.) Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 26, 2014 04:44 PM (hq5sb) No one ever said otherwise.

Posted by: Sean Bannion [/i][/s][/u][/b] at February 26, 2014 12:46 PM (yz6yg)

278 83?

maddogg?

How are you getting along?

When June rolls around my Emily will have been dead 4 years.

I am as good as you can be with such an awful thing. A few months ago I stopped at CVS on US 341 to get smokes, and a very young & pretty sales associate wanted to know the story behind "why I wear one of Emily's bandannas around my neck."

So I told her about my young, lost bride. 25 years,

"gone, forever, to the Sea."

Since then I gave her a pair of fingerless gloves that convert to mittens. A Nanolight for her keychain. And a "cash capsule" ( search Amazon for the term ) to go with her.

No, I am not the sort of man who hits on any woman. Just trying to be nice to her. I miss doing that for "My girls...."

Helen, of Fire....
Emily, the sweet breath of Wind who swept in to my life after Helen died and I gave up on women.

I will say this. Miss Christine at CVS is tiny- but she's a "hugger." Lord God Almighty, I had forgotten how good women feel. Yeah, I'm old and broken- but still a man...

I will attempt to keep wits enough about me to check in, in the AM and see if you reply. I hope you are OK. This "widowerhood" thing sucks and blows. You lose half of yourself. Yet you are expected to keep going.

Son
of
a
Bitch....

Posted by: backhoe at February 26, 2014 12:47 PM (ULH4o)

279 I'm not saying we need one, just pointing out that nobody really wants to wind up that toy right now. Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 26, 2014 04:46 PM (hq5sb) Well, we DO need one. If you're going to cut end strength, then you obviously don't need the extra overhead sucking up whatever is left of the budget. And USAF has been bitching they have 25% more real estate than they need for almost 10 years now.

Posted by: Sean Bannion [/i][/s][/u][/b] at February 26, 2014 12:48 PM (yz6yg)

280 Jesus Christ. It's all bloated. Are you saying there's no fat to be cut from a $680 billion government program? This is why everything is fucked. Both sides are full of retards. Posted by: Gristle Encased Head at February 26, 2014 04:45 PM (+lsX1) It's comments like it is all bloated that infuriate me. If you have specifics I am all ears, but just thawing out crap like "It's all bloated" besides being inaccurate and impossible to respond to with out specifics.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 12:49 PM (nzKvP)

281 well new thread

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 12:50 PM (nzKvP)

282 Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 26, 2014 04:48 PM (yz6yg) Eh, I should have phrased that as "I honestly don't know if we need one, I'm ill informed." But in any case, I know that there are open statements by elected officials here they don't want one because they're afraid what we'll lose to bases across the river.

Posted by: tsrblke, PhD(c) (No Really!) at February 26, 2014 12:52 PM (hq5sb)

283 268 Gristle Encased Head, And again...NOTHING THE FUCK ELSE IS TOUCHED. Fuck FiCon uber alles, but YOU CAN HAVE IT. I don't care anymore. Have fun getting a lot of us back unless opfor boots are on tis soil. I remember Bush the elde nuking the force so hard he had to make a masive RT-12 for gulf war one. I remember watching oursea andair lift get fcut in half the same year after the war. Fuck the budget cutters who deand ONLY we military families pay. I'll have a sixteen inch dick before you stupid fucks reform entitlements other than Veteran and active duty ones. Luckily I am past caring. See you in November.

Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 12:52 PM (TE35l)

284 Burr actually committed real treason and he was save by his buddy Adams IIRC because Adams hated Jefferson more that Burr's treason. All was not roses and honey in those days either. Posted by: Vic When you used to hang out with Burr was his daughter as hot as they say?

Posted by: Daybrother at February 26, 2014 12:53 PM (VEKIJ)

285 no idea on if they have a delivery system.

H-IIB is able to carry a payload of up to 8,000 kg to GeoStationary Transfer Orbit aka way past Beijing.

Posted by: DaveA[/i][/b][/s] at February 26, 2014 12:54 PM (DL2i+)

286 "we're down to muscle and bone cut, we're no longer cutting fat." (from the podcast)

Posted by: concrete girl at February 26, 2014 12:55 PM (AwcHw)

287 From my son who's a Petty Officer on a deployed Cruiser.

"Cruiser lay-ups, shouldn't directly affect *****. Most cruisers are
attached to Carriers for deployment purposes and then there are a few
that are Independent actors. ***** is one of them. That said:

Cruisers have been on the chopping block for a little while now. Once
Frigates go, we're next up. Ticonderoga class has a lot of issues with
its base structure which leads to extra funds required to maintain
material readiness.

The issue is 2-fold. A Cruiser can maintain certain tact duties almost
indefinitely based on manning, however, the surface fleet is downsizing.
I think when ***** was commissioned it maintained a crew of ~400, now
we're closer to 300. But still, we operate with a larger crew than the
average DDG. The Arleigh Burke class has a considerably more stable
platform overall as a ship, however, smaller crew. While we have ~24
OS's on board, I think the Ross carries 16 (That's from my old Chief,
now ENS on board the Ross). The tactical duties assigned to a DDG are
much harder to maintain over a long period of time vs Cruisers. Again,
manning. The Decision to decom Cruisers will help the budget but hurt
the fleet's overall Morale. Granted, that's coming from an E-5, where
the decision making process is done at a 3-4star level. They're looking
at things far more involved that Crew morale. Morale being a loose term,
you can stress a crew only so far before something gives. "


He has wisdom far beyond his years.

Posted by: Dick (@DicksTrash) at February 26, 2014 12:56 PM (GrtrJ)

288

where would i look for the real numbers
of
corporate welfare
and what we typically refer to as welfare?

 

-

 

When liberals talk about corporate welfare, what they really mean are depreciation and depletion credits which reduce taxable income.  By the same token, if you deduct mortgage interest     by their logic,    you are taking welfare.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at February 26, 2014 12:57 PM (ZkzmI)

289 265  Congress IS out of the military base closing process.

That's what the BRAC Commission is all about. It's so Congress can have plausible deniability when their local base is cut.

The only say Congress has about base closure is authorizing the Pentagon to begin the process.

Once they do, that thing is on auto-pilot and cannot be stopped.

Posted by: Sean Bannion at February 26, 2014 04:44 PM (yz6yg)


I have a Time Share condo I want t get rid of.  You interested?

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 12:59 PM (T2V/1)

290 It's all about the...Key West Agreement!
And Sefton says I'm "coup coup." Thanks Sefton I'll remember that.

Apparently the Navy didn't even want the Iowa class, since they let them go.
Didn't care for the mission. Not sexy enough for them. No shiny new toys.
 
Oh what's that you say? Funding was cut, mission reassigned to other craft which may not have been as competent for the job, optics not good, that's just the way it goes sometimes?

But the AiiiiirForce gets mandated to lose one plane, and it's all about the glamour of it all. That is some sick sonofabitching excuse for thinking. Chief's Mess of the Ostfriesland, called into session once more.

A-10 to the Army. And how do you think Army is going to pay for it? They're laying off, for Christ's sake. Every time there is a defense cut, you guys get to fighting your one and only enemy. 

Posted by: Stringer Davis at February 26, 2014 01:01 PM (xq1UY)

291 267  Actually that is an incredibly bad idea and would actually cost us more eventually in both money and lives

Posted by: Nevergiveup at February 26, 2014 04:44 PM (nzKvP)


Yes, its bad.  But so is reducing the military budget and cutting to pre-WWII levels.



The fact is if we do that then we will not have the military to support those bases.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at February 26, 2014 01:01 PM (T2V/1)

292 279 NeverGiveUp,

or you know "hey genius DOD is about 1/20th the problem what did you get in return?"

I think the silence on this and Ryan's c**t ass "elections have consequences" has got me just about ready to vote straight ticket d.

Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 01:03 PM (TE35l)

293

I love defense, and it's one of the few constitutional things the federal govt is given the power to do. There's only one problem. We're broke. $17T in the hole.  It's broke from all the other, not-so-constitutional things it has been spending money that it doesn't have for years.

  We are reaching the end of that little game, and when the money runs out, there's not going to be anything for defense or anything else much.

  Pooty-Poot and the Chicoms know this and are making plans for the post-American power structure. The Soviet Union went bankrupt, and we're going down the same path, and I'm sure Pooty-Poot gets a real kick out of that. And we've got a joke in the White House.

Posted by: publius(NotBreitbartPublius) at February 26, 2014 01:09 PM (ClQSA)

294 289 stringer davis,

Stringer save it.  The USAF has attacked the army trying to make up for its no-selling the Tactical Airlift mission and CAS since korea...

let alone trying to kill the Air Cav concept.

I will never forget General jumper waving his dickat shinseki and daring the Congress to cutthe F-22.....at a time when Shinseki was told if he opened his mouth on Force XXI or Crusader he was done.

It took the election of a Communist borderline dictator but the USAF is finally about to feel what the army endured since 1993.

Enjoy

Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 01:10 PM (TE35l)

295 292 publius,

uh "yeah" helluva job on the other 94.4% of the debt bomb.

fuck it who cares?

not Ogabe and sure as fuck not the GOP.

see you in November.

Posted by: sven10077 at February 26, 2014 01:12 PM (TE35l)

296

Oh, yeah, none of the Washington Establishment/Elite cares. They don't even think it's really a problem, just something those pesky tea party types and similiar are making noise about. They have no idea how the fiscal, monetary, and economic systems work that allow them to keep deficit spending like mad. As far as they're concerned, they just mandate that $X trillion be spent, and like magic it's there. I doubt there's a congresscritter there who could tell you how the bond market works, and the Fed's role in all that.

    They just say spend so much, and thus so much must be borrowed and it will magically be lent to them.  That is going to come to an end. The Fed can just start printing like mad to make up for it, and thus destroy the dollar in a (hyper)inflationary conflagration, or stop printing, let interest rates shoot the moon, forcing default. Either way, the feds have no more money. They either have all the worthless currency they want, or no currency that's still worth something.

  Right now, Pooty-Poot and the Chicoms are facillating all sorts of little deals to ease the transition from the dollar as the international reserve currency. One day, they'll pull the plug, and that's the end.

Posted by: publius(NotBreitbartPublius) at February 26, 2014 01:25 PM (ClQSA)

297 "But the F-35 is ghastly expensive -- the B and C models are costing over a quarter of a BILLION each at this stage" Hell, for that money you could almost set up an insurance marketplace website in Oregon.

Posted by: sexypig at February 26, 2014 01:34 PM (dZQh7)

298 Are we ever going to find anybody as weak, as poor, as disorganized, as isolated, and as guilty, as the Taliban? Then what good are our pledges to fight Russia* or the People's Republic of China*? * Yeah yeah, but everybody knows we're not guaranteeing Norway and Poland against the Swiss. We're out of money, we won't use nukes, restoring the draft is more likely to bring down the President than win the war, we don't have uniquely superior technology, our generals believe higher American casualties will win hearts and minds, and any ally who actually seriously helps us with money or troops is liable for a parliamentary overthrow. I don't know that American elections can alter any of that. I'm more confident in outlawing abortion than changing any of that.

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at February 26, 2014 01:50 PM (5xmd7)

299 The A-10 does not break the avionics every time it shoots the gun. That issue was taken care of long ago. The jet may be old but most of them are getting brand new wings. This has been happening for quite awhile now. We no longer have the two large bases in the Philippines. Clark closed in 91 after Pinatubo blew and Subic a couple years later when they refused to renew the lease. We still have a presence there though. The A-10 still provides a great bang for the buck and should not be retired.

Posted by: Bill R. at February 26, 2014 01:52 PM (9YeS5)

300 I agree with Bryan McGrath 100% on where the principle funding for the U.S. military should be... A strong Navy and Air Force are more important than a strong Army. People forget that even before WWII and even WWI the U.S. had a strong Navy. Of a big war breaks out and we need troops we can always add more, but it is not easy to just add new ships and planes.

Posted by: Willian Eaton at February 26, 2014 03:28 PM (rLRIj)

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