krs
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posted on February 7, 2001 12:39:06 PM new
"The military overwhelmingly supported Mr. Bush; officers thought that they had an understanding — nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more — that defense spending would quickly expand once he reached the White House. Indeed, senior officers have been telling Congress that they need a 30 percent increase in their budget. Guess again. Last week, according to newspaper reports, Mr. Bush told lawmakers that there would be "no new money this year for defense." Karen Hughes, a counselor to Mr. Bush, conceded that "we may in fact need some resources" for the military — (may? some?) after all that martial rhetoric? — but made it clear that there was no rush. One officer bitterly declared, "It sounds like campaign promise No. 1 being broken." --Paul Krugman, 2/4/01
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eyeguy6
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posted on February 7, 2001 12:55:52 PM new
I thought one of all the Bush Bashers whining points was that he was going to spend too much on the military, not too little. Interesting.
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krs
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posted on February 7, 2001 01:01:35 PM new
I don't remember that, exactly, though there was someobjection to the rebirth of star wars, but I do remember his campaign promises to immediately rebuild our military and it's morale. The military made a buyin on that promise, but it appears that they're the first to feel the bite of misplaced faith.
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Powerhouse
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posted on February 7, 2001 01:22:04 PM new
Looks to me like someone has been watching some Brit comedy to compliment our american political comedy - nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more.
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bobbysoxer
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posted on February 7, 2001 01:26:54 PM new
So what else is new? Bush isn't the first to "allegedly" lie....
not bobbysoxer on eBay
[email protected]
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HJW
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posted on February 7, 2001 01:38:17 PM new
Bush..."Now, military readiness, I propose 100 billion for this
purpose."
"I want to rebuild the military power. It starts with a billion dollar pay raise for the men and women who wear the uniform to make sure our troops are well-housed and well-equipped; bonus plans to keep some of our high-skilled folks in the services; and a commander in chief who clearly sets the mission."
Source: Presidential debate, Boston MA Oct 3, 2000
That's quite a tale!
Helen
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Powerhouse
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posted on February 7, 2001 01:48:00 PM new
He just never told them that the mission was: Operation Back-Stab.
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eyeguy6
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posted on February 7, 2001 01:49:28 PM new
"I did not have sex with that woman." I guess everyone has "tales".
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chococake
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posted on February 7, 2001 02:02:22 PM new
Always back to the sex thing!
Bush made a promise and lied to the military about something more persoal to THEM. Money in their pockets.
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eyeguy6
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posted on February 7, 2001 02:05:50 PM new
Oh please! If Bush had been caught in an affair there would be threads from here to hell and back. The only reason the sex thing "offends" you is that it's your guy.
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december3
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posted on February 7, 2001 02:23:20 PM new
"Read my lips, no new taxes" must run in the family.
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Antiquary
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posted on February 7, 2001 03:18:59 PM new
Just a joke but it seemed to fit well here:
George W. wins the election and moves to DC. He and Dick Cheney are in a
coffee shop for lunch. Dick Cheney orders the "Heart Healthy" salad.
George W. leans toward the waitress, and says "I'd like a quickie."
The waitress is disgusted. She says, "I thought your administration would
bring dignity back to the office, but, I see now that nothing has changed.
I'm sorry I voted for you." She storms off mad.
Dick Cheney looks at George W. and says, "I think it's pronounced quiche."
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femme
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posted on February 7, 2001 04:08:58 PM new
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Linda_K
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posted on February 7, 2001 04:14:27 PM new
It's way to early to decide if he's backing out of his promises to the military. The Republican Party has always supported increased military spending, and I don't see that changing. Just a matter of when.
He has been a little busy dealing with our tax cuts. 
We're still hopeful that his promise of raises and better/more benefits to our military will be honored.
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Shadowcat
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posted on February 7, 2001 04:29:26 PM new
Well, there was also the promise to decrease the opstempo but there was a story in the Stars&Stripes about a permanent base being built in Bosnia.
I guess that's one way to decrease the perstempo: Make it a regular assignment as opposed to a deployment.
One of the upsides to the hiring freeze is that Linda Tripp's potential job in Europe is on hold for the time being.
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lotsafuzz
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posted on February 7, 2001 05:12:16 PM new
Hey Krs, gotta link? I'd like to send it to a friend of mine.
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chum
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posted on February 7, 2001 06:06:14 PM new
He has been a little busy dealing with our tax cuts.
Oh yes we all need mufflers for our cars. Funny thing is why have a 10 year cut, when you will be out in 4? lol
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Linda_K
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posted on February 7, 2001 06:25:33 PM new
Chum-
Since the taxpayers who are getting the largest tax cut, are the ones who pay the most in taxes, I guess it seems far to me.
Anyone who doesn't want their tax cut can always donate it to the DNC or just don't accept it. Or give it to Clinton to pay for his new 17 million office suite.
Me, I'm happy.
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Shoshanah
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posted on February 7, 2001 06:27:56 PM new
Antiquary.... Thank you! Pricelss....
eye This has NOTHING to do with Bashers and Non-Bashers...It has to do with breaking a promise.
An a 'nother' thing: Mr. Clinton did not promise he would not have an affair...
********
Gosh Shosh!
About Me
[ edited by Shoshanah on Feb 7, 2001 06:32 PM ]
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gravid
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posted on February 7, 2001 07:16:39 PM new
Really try to imaigine from what you have seen of his public speaking and poise what
Bush would look like trying to put the moves on a babe....Maybe he could have the Secret Service slip a note to her like a 6th grader.
In crooked block letters under the Presidential Seal. I don't see that kind of scandal for this administration. He would be like - " No thanks dear, I'm the Commander in Chief now and I can have the Army run a Hummer up to the door any time I want one."
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eyeguy6
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posted on February 7, 2001 08:47:59 PM new
SHOSH- It has everything to do with Bush bashers and you know it. Please don't try to give the appearance of being objective on the same day that you post smiley faces regarding gunshots at the White House.
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Kaffro
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posted on February 7, 2001 09:16:15 PM new
LMAO Antiquary!! That's too funny!!
Kaffro 
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Shadowcat
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posted on February 8, 2001 05:55:36 AM new
Eyeguy: For me, it has everything to do with watching the tom try to do the job three people used to do as well as his own but without the necessary equipment or enough money to do the job right. I don't know what your papers or news shows tell about the military, but we live this crap each and every day. The active duty members out in the trenches are tired physically and mentally from having to try and do the missions with too few people, too little equipment, and too little money to make ends meet for their families. That's why more and more are walking. If they're going to be worked to death, they figure they might as well earn enough money in the process.
There was hope that if Bush got into the White House things would change but once again, the active duty people get screwed by the pinheads-all pinheads, not just Dubya-in DC. Broken promises to the military are nothing new but for those of us with loved ones on the front lines, it never fails to feel like a stab in the back by those whom the military serves.
That "Star Wars" system oughta do great, with no one left in the services to run it.
Sorry. I'm not the least bit objective on this subject and I don't give a rat's bum who's in the WH.
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krs
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posted on February 8, 2001 06:13:46 AM new
biggest little WH in DC.
Shadowcat,
I had understood that pay levels were reasonably high. At least high in relation to what I've personally known. Then my last pay rate was E-5 under two, and with flight pay and hazardous duty pay the most I ever got per month was $237.00.
Do they still provide housing , or housing payments, uniform allowances, and all the other perks not given to Joe Blow at the corner market?
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Antiquary
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posted on February 8, 2001 06:25:54 AM new
biggest little WH in DC
What a great analogy.
With only minor modification a revival of that play would be a smash hit.
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Shadowcat
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posted on February 8, 2001 06:41:14 AM new
KRS: In comparison to what my father made in the military, the pay rates are extravagant now. But that was 30 years ago. Pay may be better but the costs of living are also a lot higher.
Pay also differs for those stationed overseas as opposed to those in the US. Yes, we receive housing allowances but the amount doesn't come close to what our housing expenditures are(rent and utilities)(No, we don't live in base housing, which even our gov't admits is "substandard", a euphemism for a tenement). We get a fairly healthy COLA because of where we're stationed but that's based on the dollar rate and fluctuates as the dollar rises and falls on the markets. The uniform allowance is a yearly fixed rate and doesn't come close to covering the cost of uniforms and all the accessories. There may have been a pay raise in January but all the organizations raised their fees by the same percentage, in effect wiping out the pay raise.
We do a little better than the average airman because the tom's rank and time in service put him at the high end of the pay scale. Over the years, before the tom reached this point, I worked just so we didn't have to choose between shoes for the kittens or eating one day a week. Now we have the luxury of being able to eat every day AND buy shoes for the kittens, as well as save towards the day we might be able to buy our first home.
Unfortunately, we're the exception, not the rule.
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eyeguy6
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posted on February 8, 2001 06:41:48 AM new
SHADOWCAT - My post had nothing to do with the topic of military spending. I don't know enough about the situation yet to form an opinion on it. In the end I may very well disagree with the Bush decision. My gripe is with the people who see any issue as an opportunity to bash the president. I have seen Bush blamed for everything from AIDS to Nazi medical experiments. Have there been any threads on things such as the Mark Rich pardon? I haven't seen one. Not everyone, but a great many people see this board as one thing, another chance to type the words Dubya is dumb, Dubya is dumb. The hypocrisy on this board is laughable. To make such a weak attempt to mask it as "concern for the issue" is insulting.
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Antiquary
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posted on February 8, 2001 06:54:58 AM new
Actually Bush is still enjoying what is traditionally called "The Honeymoon Period" for a new president. Most of us who oppose his agenda are showing a great deal of restraint, especially given the circumstances of his election.
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krs
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posted on February 8, 2001 06:55:28 AM new
eyeguy,
Bush is the president. Throughout the history of this country there has been critisism and satire, what you call bashing, about whoever IS the president, but very little about anyone who was the president, or wanted to be the president.
Get used to it; this peculiar president is emminently bashable.
Thanks Shadowcat,
I really don't have much info about conditions now, except what I gleaned from news reports at Ft. Ord at the beginning of deployments to Saudi Arabia. There was much snivelling by the cadre at that fort because they felt that the Gulf War was not part of the deal that they'd made upon entering service. Several interviews showed that the personnel was in service for the pay, benefits, education, and had chosen to be there because of those attractions. During those reports it was shown that compensation was comparable to that given people in like jobs in private industry as measured on a national scale.
satyre made me do it
[ edited by krs on Feb 8, 2001 06:56 AM ]
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krs
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posted on February 8, 2001 07:00:13 AM new
Oh, eyeguy,
Where have you seen anyting about dumbya being responsible for Nazi medical experiments? though that it was his grandfather who did those.
new earthquake in CA, just now. Save us.
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