Truthdig - Ear to the Ground - Backlash Over Defense Budget Cuts Begins

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Backlash Over Defense Budget Cuts Begins

dodimagery.afis.osd.mil

Georgia Republicans are peeved about the phase-out of the F-22 Raptor, according to CNN ... because F-22 Raptors are made in Georgia.

Although some in Congress applauded Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ announcement that the Obama administration would be whittling down the defense budget for 2010, suffice it to say that not everyone is thrilled by this development—especially those whose districts will be directly impacted by the cuts.

CNN:

During Gates’ announcement, a bipartisan group of senators released a letter urging him “not to allow deep cuts in U.S. missile defense programs that are critically important to protecting our homeland and our allies against the growing threat of ballistic missiles.”

“The threat from ballistic missiles is significant and on the rise. [It] has been underscored by Iran and North Korea’s recent missile tests,” they said.

Among others, the letter was signed by both senators from Alaska: Republican Lisa Murkowski and Democrat Mark Begich.

While Gates was initially appointed Pentagon chief by former President George W. Bush, his overall budget received what appeared to be a mixed reception from congressional Republicans.

“Republicans appreciate Secretary Gates’ effort to shape the Department of Defense so that we more effectively fight the wars our troops are engaged in today. However, we are concerned about the trade-offs involved in rebalancing the Department,” New York Rep. John McHugh, the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, said in a written statement.

“It remains the Congress’ responsibility to provide for the common defense,” he warned.

However, Sen. John McCain, the former Republican presidential candidate, said Gates’ budget “is a major step in the right direction.”

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TAGS: chambliss congress defense budget f-22 raptor john mccain missile defense pentagon robert gates

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By PSmith, April 8 at 2:33 pm #

CUT IT 90%

This debate will appear hilarious in two or three years. And not in a good way. imo.

Save ourselves some trouble. And cut it 90% today. Which would still leave the US with the biggest offense budget in the world. Just not bankrupt-me-today biggest.

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By nullpoint, April 8 at 1:25 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)

Lockheed-Martin, though its GA plants will be affected by gradual phaseout of F-22 production, will not be hurt since its Texas and other plants will be building major components of the replacement aircraft, the F-35. Northrup-Grumman and BAE will also see lots of new jobs as a result of the Gates decision. Boeing Aircraft will apparently take a hit with the decision.
Boosters of the canceled F-22 program have claimed that the craft only costs $143 million each. In fact, each of these planes costs around $350 million. See <http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,187737,00.html> Thus, merely 3 of these fighter jets lost in a conflict would cost us a billion dollars plus the cost of weapons onboard. This plane’s replacement, the F-35 or Joint Strike Fighter, runs “only” $90 million, 4 planes for the price of one. Since the cheaper craft is just as capable as the F-22 in combat situations with opposing planes less than 30 miles apart, the decision seems sound.

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By felicity, April 8 at 11:54 am #

Last year, Lieberman argued that we urgently needed to build a $2.5 billion submarine - to fight a terrorist’s dinghy? And then there’s the media that make zillions airing ‘American bombs bursting in air’ - remember the Gulf War, that spectacular CNN event - produced, choreographed, back-lit and surgical? Underground and under-cover wars will definitely cut into media profits.

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By johnnyfarout, April 7 at 9:51 pm #

The Pentagon budget is actually trillions. The new army will be high school grunts, and that means women, too; the unemployed, and the immigrants looking for federal reserve notes for their families…,oh, and their robots…the robots will be totally all lingual, y’all. Cat shit one will look like a picnic in central park. Even the ants will die once the big ONE happens. I think the only winners will be off planet aliens. We humans have taken the poison pill and it is fed into us like a streaming video. We must destroy our planet and ourselves because we see no other way forward and we must comply with the directives we get through our radio infected teeth…why else doesn’t every American get good dental care? It’s the money, stupid. We can’t afford to do other than destroy the planet because it’s cheaper than life. I sound bitter, huh…it’s because I am. Bitter and pissed. “the end is nigh”, I have, in many a bar,…scratched that on urinal walls from coast to shining coast…

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