LOGO: Truthdig: Drilling Beneath the Headlines. A Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman. Winner 2013 Webby Awards for Best Political Website
May 24, 2013

 Choose a size
Text Size

Trending:     chris hedges     economy     elizabeth warren     politics     robert scheer
Most Read

How to Make a Million Dollars an Hour

Colbert Slams PBS for Appeasing Koch Brothers

A Call to Action

Obama Heckled During Speech, Warren Lands a Book Deal, and More

After Oklahoma Disaster, Give Thanks to Government

Most Comments
Most Emailed

Reports
 * NEW! * New York City’s Summers May Heat Up
 * NEW! * A Mission on Climate Change

Ear to the Ground

A/V Booth

Arts & Culture
A Call to Action
Act of Congress

Digs

Truthdig Bazaar
Letters of Ted Hughes

Letters of Ted Hughes

By Ted Hughes
$29.70

more items

 
Ear to the Ground

Congress Plans Iraq Victory Festivities

Email this item Email    Print this item Print    Share this item... Share

Posted on Oct 4, 2006

An apparently optimistic Congress has already budgeted the Iraq war victory celebration, to be held in the nation’s capital for $20 million.  Although originally contained in this year’s military budget, the allocation has been rolled over to next year, and perhaps the next….

(h/t: Daily Kos)


San Francisco Chronicle:

Tucked away in fine print in the military spending bill for this past year was a lump sum of $20 million to pay for a celebration in the nation’s capital “for commemoration of success” in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Not surprisingly, the money was not spent.

Now congressional Republicans are saying, in effect, maybe next year.

A paragraph written into spending legislation and approved by the Senate and House allows the $20 million to be rolled over into 2007.

The original legislation empowered the president to designate “a day of celebration” to commemorate the success of the armed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, and to “issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”

Link

More Below the Ad

Advertisement


New and Improved Comments

If you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy.

By Neener Neener, October 4, 2006 at 2:08 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

I hear Snoop Dog and Ice Cube will be the featured performers at the celebration party.  Both are bigtime republicans.

Report this

By Anonny Mouse, October 4, 2006 at 12:28 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Let’s save the money for the celebration that will happen when this administration’s reign of terror is over…

Report this

By johnnyfarout, October 4, 2006 at 9:00 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

“A million here, a million there; pretty soon we’re talking real money.” Did Tip O’Neil say that during Vietnam? 20 million, I’m sure, bought more flack jackets in the early 70’s than it does today; and 20 million would have conjured up one hell of a parade back then. I believe the Vietnam Memorial was erected with less than 10 million in donations from private citizens, and the Feds relented by allowing it to be built on land “they” “owned”. Today more American soldiers are being killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, not even thinking about the others being shot and mutilated, or even the “collaterally damaged” citizens whose minds are swimming with problems everyday Americans cannot even fathom, as we pump gasolina into cars and trucks we all just know could be better built, or run on other technology. “Lies, damn lies, and statistics”: Europe and Asia and India and the Southern Americas manufacture for longevity and continuing success. Here our industrial elite have manufactured “planned obsolescence” to maximize profits and keep the “free” market bound up in chains of failure and secondary market repetitive replacement. Fix it or Fuck it. I remember seeing that painted on the Washington Monument during a Memorial Day protest in Washington DC, back during Nixon’s regime in the White House. I was ashamed of him for saying that “no matter the public outcry we will not leave Vietnam”. Once again America is experiencing escalating frustration with a president. I could not bring myself to believe Richard Nixon was elected by the American population, and now it’s even more apparent that this president was not…and twice, to boot. Now the money rolls over for the victory parade in another war terrorizing those who won’t submit to Pax Americana. The drums will one day beat out the names of the fallen, and I’ll bet there never is that parade, anywhere in the USA.

Report this

By kevin99999, October 4, 2006 at 8:14 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Just goes to show you once again, and again, that the GOP has no principles, values, or sense of shame. To call the iraq war is the height of hypocracy. This party and its leaders cannot be trusted to level with the american public.

Report this

By Tomack, October 4, 2006 at 6:39 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

I’ll bring the chips and dip; they will not be able to afford those extras on a paltry $20m budget. What a shame. 

...we’ll need a DJ. Anyone know Spinnin’ Hank? He’s great! Provides an eclectic mix of Christian Rock, 1940’s Country, John Philip Souza, and Wayne Newton. Perfect!

We’ll need decorations. Do you think that ole “Mission Accomplished” banner is still around. If we can’t find it I can always get Granny to quilt us one. Red, White, and Blue of course.

Then there’s the guest list for the “insider” party. I was thinking of inviting soldiers in their dress uniforms for that authentic and patritotic look, but thought that some of the empty shirt sleeves and pant legs might be a bit of a downer. You know? After all, it’s a celebration.

Do you think fireworks are over the top? I’m all for it because, after all, it’s a VICTORY celebration, right? What better way to end a war!

I don’t think we should serve alcohol. I would rather not have all those servicemen just back from Iraq makiing a spectacle of themselves. But champagne for the insider party is a MUST. 
 
I can’t wait.

Report this

By Via, October 4, 2006 at 6:16 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

“appropriate ceremonies and activities”

These would be impeachment proceedings and war crimes charges brought against the Bush administration.


Let the festivities begin.

Report this
Newsletter

sign up to get updates


 
 
 
 
Join the Liberal Blog Advertising Network
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A Progressive Journal of News and Opinion. Editor, Robert Scheer. Publisher, Zuade Kaufman.
© 2013 Truthdig, LLC. All rights reserved.