Rep. Sestak (D-PA) Lays Out Defense Proposal

[hicama10]

JOE SESTAK worked under bill clinton for gun control. Another anti gun nut. Its amazing how manipulative he is sometimes.

[exenrontexas]

Sestak reminds me of D. Michael Abrashoff who revolutionized the Navy's approach to leadership and preparedness. Too bad these folks need to LEAVE the military to make a lasting contribution.

[kirtokosseamrica]

rouge nation, Iran?

the only rouge nation i see is the u.s.

invading and killing where and when they please, base on their own defined reasons. not to mention 60 years of funding and arming rouge gurlilas around the world to take down democraticly elected governments etc

rouge nation no. 1 = u.s.

[jewlSecond]

You are a fucktard.

We SHOULD kick out the UN and let China spoonfeed the world from now on.

[Octavaryum]

I resent that, the US is not makeup! Rogue nation maybe, but rouge? That's just offensive!

[lamouchemorte]

word of the day: exotic

[ananiasacts]

Wouldn't expanding the foreign embassies in America into small foreign cities be the best way to ensure WMDs can't be used effectively against us while also leaving us better suited to develop products and services with worldwide appeal?

I realize it seems outrageous at first sight, but I honestly see this as the fastest way to reinvigorate our economy, become an enormous force for peaceful globalization, and leave America with an unquestionably leading role in shaping the future of our planet.

[jarmtx]

WOW, i didnt know that there was actually a single congress person, from either side, that could talk specifics on something, that was actually kinda refreshing

[fcabido]

step 1: disarm nukes. step 2: bend over

[MooseOfReason]

Here's (part of) Eisenhower's warning about the military-industrial complex:

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted."

[bobhardball]

Joe doesn´t often know what he is talking about. But this congressman does!

[eurohim]

5 billion dollars a piece! Holy Crap!

[MooseOfReason]

Those software upgrades are expensive.

[Karlfalcon]

At first glance I misread the title as "Re. Sleestak."

[TedinLasVegas]

VERY nice and Statesman-like of Rep. Sestak to credit Rumsfield for having attempted to modernize our military when he was Sec. Def.

I hope Sec. Def. Gates succeeds. Much better to upgrade existing platforms than buy whole, new and single-scenario platforms.

[Felix1049]

North Korea is a paper tiger. They haven't got a pot to piss in and their missile was a colossal failure. They can't feed their own population and it won't be long before somebody puts a bullet in that midgets head. N. Korea is simply posturing for a seat at the big boys table. Again, any country that attacked us with a nuke would ensure their own demise. What we should be concentrating on is securing our borders.

[Felix1049]

We're talking about the budget, and within the first few minutes you roll out "9/11". That is fear mongering at it's worst. But again, rather than point me in the direction of something that would substantiate your claim that our budget isn't in dire straights, you opt to roll out 9/11. Why am I not surprised?

[Felix1049]

So, go ahead and tell me the value of the white elephant known as the missile defense system. First, there are currently only two countries with missiles capable of reaching the continental US. Second, how would a country that attacked us with a nuke, prevent their own annilliation-we've got the biggest baddest nukes on the block, and any country foolish enough to attack us would be signing their own death warrant. So what bogey man is the missile defense system supposed to protect us from?

[JohnR22926]

felix: First of all, I actually support Gates' budget as I think we can significantly cut DoD spending without sacrificing much security. My gripe is that Obama won't use the savings to cut debt...he'll use it for more spending.

Re the missile defense, Sestak makes some good points, I'm OK with the cuts, even though it was a PR blunder to announce it the day after N. Korea fired their missile. But...that's Obama's problem, not mine.

[Felix1049]

JohnR: Obama has been telling the truth about the state of our economy, the fact that it scares people is ancillary to the point. But if you think the economy is great, then why not roll out some indicators that would support that position. Our economy is teetering on the edge, and tough decisions need to be made. By the way, Obama's military spending request is not a reduction, it's just a smaller increase than in years past.

[JohnR22926]

felix: 1/2:

lol. I get it. When the Reps do it, it's "the politics of fear"...as though 9/11 never really happened. But when Obama does it, it's "telling the truth".

Obama repeatedly stated our current fiscal crisis was the worst since the great depression and we needed drastic action NOW. Well, well, well. Here it's only april and already the economy is improving with slight unemployment drops, and many Dems saying they think the worst is past.

And...the vast majority of the $800B

[rainsan]

It is worse. Banks around the world are affected. We don't know the whole affect of the toxic assets that these banks aren't reporting. You have no provided facts. Geithner says the very banks that are taking bailout money have passed the stress tests. Well if that were true, why the hell do they need our tax dollars. Well, it's because they have a lot of bad debt that they want to unload on us. This happening all over. Obama didn't exaggerate a thing.

[JohnR22926]

rainsan: Yes, the fiscal crisis is bad and even though I'm a fiscal conservative I supported the badly flawed $800B stimulus as the lesser of the evils.

But I stand by my comment tha I've heard numerous pundits claiming there are a number of surprisingly positive economic indicators and that the worst (in the US) may be past.

But my primary gripe is with people who accuse the Reps of fear-mongering (which they HAVE done) and then give the Dems a pass for doing the same thing.

[JohnR22926]

fexlix: 2/2:

stimulus won't even kick in to next year. Hey! You think Obama might pull back some of that $800B since it now appears the out-year stimulus won't be needed? Oh, I thinks not! Because the point wasn't really stimulus spending was it? The point was simply to spend. On anything. Period.

BTW, Obama has included items in the DoD budget (like Iraq/Afghanistan) that were previously not included. So...Gates' budget IS a significant cut.

[Felix1049]

Republican response: "no no, we've got to keep funding the useless programs where there is absolutely no return on investment" Missle defense comes to mind. THE POLITICS OF FEAR ARE DEAD and the sooner the republicans understand that, the better this country will be.

[JohnR22926]

felix: The congressmen that will oppose cancellation of these programs will be the ones whose districts are effected...they'll be BOTH Dems and Reps. Just watch.

And don't give me your bullshit about the "politics of fear are dead". Obama has been fear-mongering 24/7 over the economy. Scaring people get his grossly irresponsible spending programs passed. Doom & gloom over the environment, etc. He's a regular Chicken Little. But...I guess it's OK if Saint Obama's the one who is fear-mongering.

[WKaliberr]

i love smelly

[boots920]

I wonder what the ex-US taxpayer's living in tents think about the changes in the US military budget.

Nice to see domestic gun and ammo sales hitting record levels. Interesting way to hold elections instead of counting paper ballots you count lead bullets.

[JohnR22926]

boots: Wow! What a stupid post.

First of all, tell me exactly who is living in tents...and where. I think some people were temporarily in tents after disasters (like Katrina), but not permanently.

And...if you're talking about the Katrina people, I've got a bit of news for you. Very few of those people every payed one fucking dime of taxes...so don't be calling them "taxpayers".

Finally, I don't know wtf you're gibbering about re "counting bullets" Another dumbass remark.

[rainsan]

I have not read a substantive thing from you yet in these comments. Provide the data, my friend!

[JohnR22926]

rainsan: Then I suggest you re-read them. I think what you really meant to say is that you disagree with my comments...I wonder if you have the intelligence to understand the difference.

BTW, here's the way it works. "boots" made a claim, and I challenged him to provide the data. I don't have to provide data refuting a vague charge. Now...once he provides specifics, then it's my responsibility to provide specifics in return. See how it works?

[boots920]

Just go on Utube put in the search engine tent cities.

Then do a search on the abandoned subdivisions where houses are being vandalized and stripped of everything.

No wonder they're turning into toxic assets . The Ca state government is giving out IOU's for tax refunds its getting ridiculous.

[boots920]

It was kinda nice for the nice government to provide trailers filled with formaldehyde for the katrina victims, but the tent cities popping up in California don't even get those.

They're not "taxpayers" anymore because they have lost their jobs, homes and all other reasons to live.

Meanwhile back in the sandbox Iraq, Afghanistan endless war on the camel jockeys continues as the Federal Reserve prints the value of the US dollar into oblivion.

Good to see gun and ammo sales going to record levels

[JohnR22926]

boots: My gripe with you isn't so much what you said, but how you said it. You make it sound like the govt INTENTIONALLY hurt people in extremis. I've got a news flash for you pal; it's a big, ugly, complex world, and bad shit occassionally happens. If you want to make the govt out as a big boogeyman to make yourself feel morally superior, then go ahead.

BTW, gun/ammo sales are up because people are anticipating the Far Left Obama and his congress will restrict the 2nd Ammendment. Comprende?

[boots920]

That's what the G-men are doing anybody randomly selected on the street could do a better job.

Take the housing crisis for instance , whole subdivisions are now abandoned and the houses are starting to be stripped and vandalized. Instead of bailing out banks by the trillions wouldn't a better solution be keeping the home owners in so the property doesn't become worthless ?

The TARP program (cover up) has just lost track of billions of dollars its ridiculous.

[PersonalJesus348]

its a 4% increase from last year.... they expected 15%

[Richardgwm]

Balance the Budget - Close the Pentagon.

[JohnR22926]

richard: zeroing out the DoD budget wouldn't come CLOSE to balancing the budget. I suggest you double check Saint Obama's spending plans.

"Close the pentagon"...oh, that's a nice snarky little slogan...for a dumbass. How about this for a slogan "Stop welfare for able bodied parasites and balance the budget". Or, how about "abolish the hideous K-12 school system and balance the budget", or how about "ban union scum, increase productivity and balance the budget".

[mutiilation]

ha ha look at that nerd with those nerd glasses!

[437thx1138]

Sestak is squared away. Wish he was my Rep.

[imaginepeace63]

Sestakis ok but he is not that great. He has bad votes on his record like the Fisa Compromise. He is a blue dog democrat.

[JohnR22926]

437: Sestak was a three star admiral and knows his military stuff. But...don't forget that when Mullen took over as CNO one of his first actions was to relieve (i.e. fire) Sestak. I remember when it happened...Sestak had a reputation for abusing his staff. We can do better than guys like him.

[437thx1138]

I missed that about Mullen and Sestak. Have to read up on it. I'm not too wild on Mullen either, just doesn't impress me much. On this issue I'll give Sestak credit til I find out more. Later.

[SquallCloud]

The military industrial complex will fight tooth and nail but I hope the good of the country prevails.

[SquallCloud]

Um ... I didn't mean to rhyme just then. *facepalm*

[JohnR22926]

squall: When Eisenhower coined the term military industrial complex, military spending was 23% of GDP. Since the end of the vietnam war, DoD spending has consistently been about 4% of GDP. In other words, the "complex" hasn't existed in a long time and is only trotted out by the Left as a catchy slogan.

If you want to know what the current threat is, it's the multi-trillion dollar social entitlement programs that we cannot pay for. The same programs Obama plans to EXPAND.

[OlivierdeAthos]

Eisenhower coined the term "military-industrial complex" in 1961, when spending was 9.4% of GDP. It hasn't been anywhere near 23% since WWII. We spend 4% of our GDP on the military, which is more than any other country in the G20 except Russia, who also spends 4%. However, since our GDP is very large, we end up spending as much on our military as ALL EIGHT of our nearest rivals. Some of it on things that make no sense, and don't add to our security.

[JohnR22926]

olivier: Good research. Your numbers are correct; I adjust my comments accordingly.

If you had read all of my posts on this string, you'll see that I basically agree with Gates' budget and believe we can significantly reduce DoD spending with little risk to our security.

What I reject, is facile posts like "squallcloud's" bleating about the Military Industrial Complex which (especially in 2009) is a much exaggerated threat. I stand by my comments that social spending is more of a threat.

[thereallurker]

What's going to propel this war machine? Oil is running out. It would be smarter to transform the civilian infrastruture to renewables first.

[burntonion05]

Conservative spending includes conservative military spending. Why do Retaricans have so much trouble understanding this? Do they have gun dreams that end in a sticky situation? Pigs

[SquallCloud]

lol

I love your disgust, burntonion05

[qwertyman233]

?????

[PhiloCentinel]

That guy has the most boring voice EVER.

[tj5555555]

Who gives a flip what Bob Woodward says? Build us up don"t tear us down. More ships, more planes, more men. AC