White House warns of damaging "sequestration" spending cuts

[flyboy56]

Defense seems to be the sacred cow......

Which Obama believe would hold the Republicans' hostage. Sorry Barry, your chess game needs improving.

[Dryfire]

Pointing fingers wont solve anything

I agree. Why don't you call Barry and tell him to stop.

[Mom49of4]

I agree. Why don't you call Barry and tell him to stop.

That will never happen.

[CajunRaven]

It adds up to 1 trillion over ten years

Another thing that greatly annoys me is these clowns talking in 10 year terms when they can't get through this year. How in the world can they possibly predict what our budget needs will be 10 years from now.

And I would add, is you want to project out that far, then at current spending not incuding inflation and baselining, we're talking $35T over 10 years. With baselining alone, it will be well beyond $40T.

While I agree that Obama and others may be exaggerating the impact of the cuts/reductions, the pain will almost certainly be felt in the economy. States like MD, VA, and CA stand to be affected the most.

The potential job losses range from 800k to 2 million(depending on which estimate you read)

I just don't believe it. Again, are we talking about real cuts versus the last budget or simply a reduction in growth. And I maintain this is all smoke, they can find some savings simply through efficiencies and attrition through retirement and the elimination of vacant positions.

I'm sick and tired of these clowns trying to scare us into parting with more of our tax dollars with these tactics. If there are going to be some real cuts, close overseas bases, cut foreign aid out, stop giving out free phones, eliminate all the damn subsidies to oil, farmers, wind, etc... The list goes on.

[Dryfire]

I saw somewhere (either the Federal Times or FederalNewsRadio) that DOD civilian employees are going to take the hit by possibly being furloughed up to 30 days from MAR 01 to SEP 30.

[soulflower]

Maryland is going to get hit hard by the Sequestration cuts

http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/24...ration-Dangers

[bmore_ken]

This sounds like "I know you are but what am I", silly

Sequestration is Obamas baby all the way just like Iraq war was Bush's despite the majority of Dems that signed on when it was cool to do at the time.

I'm pretty sure the Dems wouldn't have signed on without the "supposed WMD threat" and "mushroom clouds" over US cities, but it's convenient to leave that part of it out.

[flyboy56]

Maryland is going to get hit hard by the Sequestration cuts

http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/24...ration-Dangers

You learn well from the democratic scare tactics. "Ask what you can do for your country, and not what your country can do for you." John Kennedy

[Retired Ramp Guy]

I'm pretty sure the Dems wouldn't have signed on without the "supposed WMD threat" and "mushroom clouds" over US cities, but it's convenient to leave that part of it out.

Heck, the Dems were scaring themselves.


Clinton Secretary of State Madeleine Albright > February 1, 1998"We must stop Saddam from ever again jeopardizing the stability and the security of his neighbors with weapons of mass destruction."

President Bill Clinton > February 4, 1998“One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line."

Tom Daschle > February 11, 1998 "The (Clinton) administration has said, 'Look, we have exhausted virtually our diplomatic effort to get the Iraqis to comply with their own agreements and with international law. Given that, what other option is there but to force them to do so?' That's what they're saying. This is the key question. And the answer is we don't have another option. We have got to force them to comply, and we are doing so militarily."

President Bill Clinton > February 17, 1998"If Saddam rejects peace, and we have to use force, our purpose is clear: We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program."

President Bill Clinton > February 17, 1998 "We have to defend our future from these predators of the 21st Century.... They will be all the more lethal if we allow them to build arsenals of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and the missiles to deliver them. We simply cannot allow that to happen. There is no more clear example of this threat than Saddam Hussein."

President Bill Clinton > February 17, 1998"The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to terrorists. If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow."

National Security Advisor Sandy Berger > February 18, 1998"(Saddam) will rebuild his arsenal of weapons of mass destruction and some day, some way, I am certain he will use that arsenal again, as he has 10 times since 1983"

Senator John Kerry (D-MA) > February 23, 1998 "Saddam Hussein has already used these weapons and has made it clear that he has the intent to continue to try, by virtue of his duplicity and secrecy, to continue to do so. That is a threat to the stability of the Middle East. It is a threat with respect to the potential of terrorist activities on a global basis. It is a threat even to regions near but not exactly in the Middle East."

Bill Richardson (D-NM) > May 29, 1998 "The threat of nuclear proliferation is one of the big challenges that we have now, especially by states that have nuclear weapons, outlaw states like Iraq."

Letter to President Clinton Signed by Senators Levin, Lieberman, Lautenberg, Dodd, Kerrey, Feinstein, Mikulski, Daschle, Breaux, Johnson, Inouye, Landrieu, Ford and Kerry -- all Democrats > October 9th, 1998"We urge you, after consulting with Congress and consistent with the US Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions, including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs."

Al Gore > December 16, 1998 "[i]f you allow someone like Saddam Hussein to get nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, chemical weapons, biological weapons, how many people is he going to kill with such weapons? He has already demonstrated a willingness to use such weapons..."

Nancy Pelosi - House Minority Leader > December 16, 1998Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology, which is a threat to countries in the region, and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection processes."

President Bill Clinton > December 17, 1998 "Earlier today, I ordered America's armed forces to strike military and security targets in Iraq.... Their mission is to attack Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and its military capacity to threaten its neighbors."

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) > September 30, 1999 "One of the most compelling threats we in this country face today is the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Threat assessments regularly warn us of the possibility that North Korea, Iran, Iraq, or some other nation may acquire or develop nuclear weapons."

Clinton Secretary of State Madeleine Albright > November 10, 1999"Hussein has chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies."

Letter to President Bush signed by Senator Bob Graham (D-FL), Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Congressman Harold Ford (D-TN), Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA) and others > December 6, 2001"This December will mark three years since United Nations inspectors last visited Iraq. There is no doubt that since that time, Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to refine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies."

Madeline Albright > February 18, 2002 Iraq is a long way from (here), but what happens there matters a great deal here, for the risk that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest national security threat we face -- and it is a threat against which we must and will stand firm."

Senator John Edwards (D-NC) > February 24, 2002"I think Iraq is the most serious and imminent threat to our country."Joe Biden > August 4, 2002"[H]e does have the capacity, as all terrorist-related operations do, of smuggling stuff into the United States and doing something terrible. That is true. But there's been no connection, hard connection made yet between he and al-Qaida or his willingness or effort to do that thus far. Doesn't mean he won't. This is a bad guy."

Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) > August 4, 2002 "This is a guy who is an extreme danger to the world, and this is a guy who is in every way possible seeking weapons of mass destruction."
> August 4, 2002 "I think he has anthrax. I have not seen any evidence that he has smallpox, but you hear them say, Tim (Russert), is the last smallpox outbreak in the world was in Iraq; ergo, he may have a strain." > August 4, 2002 "We know he continues to attempt to gain access to additional capability, including nuclear capability." > August 4, 2002 "First of all, we don't know exactly what he has. It's been five years since inspectors have been in there, number one. Number two, it is clear that he has residual of chemical weapons and biological weapons, number one."

Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) > August 4, 2002 "I'm inclined to support going in there and dealing with Saddam, but I think that case needs to be made on a separate basis: his possession of biological and chemical weapons, his desire to get nuclear weapons, his proven track record of attacking his neighbors and others."

[bmore_ken]

I'm not fighting the Iraq war all over again on this board it' sbene done to death, but pulling quotes from the 90's when there were no weapons inspectors on the ground in Iraq is a lot different from when weapons inspectors were on the ground in Iraq finding nothing in 2003

[flyboy56]

I'm not fighting the Iraq war all over again on this board it' sbene done to death, but pulling quotes from the 90's when there were no weapons inspectors on the ground in Iraq is a lot different from when weapons inspectors were on the ground in Iraq finding nothing in 2003

They weren't finding anything because they were being booted out when they were asking to see something Saddam Hussein's regime didn't want them to see.

[Retired Ramp Guy]

I'm not fighting the Iraq war all over again on this board it' sbene done to death, but pulling quotes from the 90's when there were no weapons inspectors on the ground in Iraq is a lot different from when weapons inspectors were on the ground in Iraq finding nothing in 2003

Madeline Albright > February 18, 2002 Iraq is a long way from (here), but what happens there matters a great deal here, for the risk that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest national security threat we face -- and it is a threat against which we must and will stand firm."

Senator John Edwards (D-NC) > February 24, 2002"I think Iraq is the most serious and imminent threat to our country.

"Joe Biden > August 4, 2002"[H]e does have the capacity, as all terrorist-related operations do, of smuggling stuff into the United States and doing something terrible. That is true. But there's been no connection, hard connection made yet between he and al-Qaida or his willingness or effort to do that thus far. Doesn't mean he won't. This is a bad guy."

Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) > August 4, 2002 "This is a guy who is an extreme danger to the world, and this is a guy who is in every way possible seeking weapons of mass destruction."
> August 4, 2002 "I think he has anthrax. I have not seen any evidence that he has smallpox, but you hear them say, Tim (Russert), is the last smallpox outbreak in the world was in Iraq; ergo, he may have a strain." > August 4, 2002 "We know he continues to attempt to gain access to additional capability, including nuclear capability." > August 4, 2002 "First of all, we don't know exactly what he has. It's been five years since inspectors have been in there, number one. Number two, it is clear that he has residual of chemical weapons and biological weapons, number one."

Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) > August 4, 2002 "I'm inclined to support going in there and dealing with Saddam, but I think that case needs to be made on a separate basis: his possession of biological and chemical weapons, his desire to get nuclear weapons, his proven track record of attacking his neighbors and others."

So Bush, who many call the less intelligent president to serve, was able to "fool" all the rest of the Congress... what does that say about the ones who signed on to that mess in the middle east?

[flyboy56]

Madeline Albright > February 18, 2002 Iraq is a long way from (here), but what happens there matters a great deal here, for the risk that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest national security threat we face -- and it is a threat against which we must and will stand firm."

Senator John Edwards (D-NC) > February 24, 2002"I think Iraq is the most serious and imminent threat to our country.

"Joe Biden > August 4, 2002"[H]e does have the capacity, as all terrorist-related operations do, of smuggling stuff into the United States and doing something terrible. That is true. But there's been no connection, hard connection made yet between he and al-Qaida or his willingness or effort to do that thus far. Doesn't mean he won't. This is a bad guy."

Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) > August 4, 2002 "This is a guy who is an extreme danger to the world, and this is a guy who is in every way possible seeking weapons of mass destruction."
> August 4, 2002 "I think he has anthrax. I have not seen any evidence that he has smallpox, but you hear them say, Tim (Russert), is the last smallpox outbreak in the world was in Iraq; ergo, he may have a strain." > August 4, 2002 "We know he continues to attempt to gain access to additional capability, including nuclear capability." > August 4, 2002 "First of all, we don't know exactly what he has. It's been five years since inspectors have been in there, number one. Number two, it is clear that he has residual of chemical weapons and biological weapons, number one."

Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) > August 4, 2002 "I'm inclined to support going in there and dealing with Saddam, but I think that case needs to be made on a separate basis: his possession of biological and chemical weapons, his desire to get nuclear weapons, his proven track record of attacking his neighbors and others."

So Bush, who many call the less intelligent president to serve, was able to "fool" all the rest of the Congress... what does that say about the ones who signed on to that mess in the middle east?

This information hurts them RRG so they will do whatever it takes to suppress it. Denial being their first response.

[bmore_ken]

They weren't finding anything because they were being booted out when they were asking to see something Saddam Hussein's regime didn't want them to see.

Wrong as usual


U.N. weapons inspectors climbed aboard a plane and pulled out of Iraq on Tuesday after President Bush issued a final ultimatum for Saddam Hussein to step down or face war.

A plane carrying the inspectors took off from Saddam International Airport at 10:25 a.m. It landed an hour and a half later in Laranca, Cyprus where the inspectors have a base.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday ordered all U.N. inspectors and support staff, humanitarian workers and U.N. observers along the Iraq-Kuwait border to evacuate Iraq after U.S. threats to launch war.

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500257_162-544280.html

[bmore_ken]

Madeline Albright > February 18, 2002 Iraq is a long way from (here), but what happens there matters a great deal here, for the risk that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest national security threat we face -- and it is a threat against which we must and will stand firm."

Senator John Edwards (D-NC) > February 24, 2002"I think Iraq is the most serious and imminent threat to our country.

"Joe Biden > August 4, 2002"[H]e does have the capacity, as all terrorist-related operations do, of smuggling stuff into the United States and doing something terrible. That is true. But there's been no connection, hard connection made yet between he and al-Qaida or his willingness or effort to do that thus far. Doesn't mean he won't. This is a bad guy."

Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) > August 4, 2002 "This is a guy who is an extreme danger to the world, and this is a guy who is in every way possible seeking weapons of mass destruction."
> August 4, 2002 "I think he has anthrax. I have not seen any evidence that he has smallpox, but you hear them say, Tim (Russert), is the last smallpox outbreak in the world was in Iraq; ergo, he may have a strain." > August 4, 2002 "We know he continues to attempt to gain access to additional capability, including nuclear capability." > August 4, 2002 "First of all, we don't know exactly what he has. It's been five years since inspectors have been in there, number one. Number two, it is clear that he has residual of chemical weapons and biological weapons, number one."

Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) > August 4, 2002 "I'm inclined to support going in there and dealing with Saddam, but I think that case needs to be made on a separate basis: his possession of biological and chemical weapons, his desire to get nuclear weapons, his proven track record of attacking his neighbors and others."

So Bush, who many call the less intelligent president to serve, was able to "fool" all the rest of the Congress... what does that say about the ones who signed on to that mess in the middle east?

Sorry Charlie, my dates come before yours



RUMSFELD

They have weaponized chemical weapons, we know that. They've had an active program to develop nuclear weapons.

--Press conference, Kuwait City, June 11, 2002


BUSH

Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward America and to support terror. The Iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax, and nerve gas, and nuclear weapons for over a decade.

-- State of the Union Address, Jan. 29, 2002
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl.../why/said.html

[Retired Ramp Guy]

Sorry Charlie, my dates come before yours



RUMSFELD

They have weaponized chemical weapons, we know that. They've had an active program to develop nuclear weapons.

--Press conference, Kuwait City, June 11, 2002


BUSH

Iraq continues to flaunt its hostility toward America and to support terror. The Iraqi regime has plotted to develop anthrax, and nerve gas, and nuclear weapons for over a decade.

-- State of the Union Address, Jan. 29, 2002
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl.../why/said.html

So the Dems just fell in line with that "stupid-no brains-low IQ" Bush because of what he said in the State of the Union.

How smart are/were they?

[flyboy56]

Wrong as usual


U.N. weapons inspectors climbed aboard a plane and pulled out of Iraq on Tuesday after President Bush issued a final ultimatum for Saddam Hussein to step down or face war.

A plane carrying the inspectors took off from Saddam International Airport at 10:25 a.m. It landed an hour and a half later in Laranca, Cyprus where the inspectors have a base.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday ordered all U.N. inspectors and support staff, humanitarian workers and U.N. observers along the Iraq-Kuwait border to evacuate Iraq after U.S. threats to launch war.

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500257_162-544280.html

You seem to have forgotten the games Iraq played with the UN inspectors. Bush got tired of the games played by Saddam and ordered an end to the charades.

INSPECTING IRAQ

As a new United Nations-imposed deadline loomed, Saddam Hussein accepted a new Security Council resolution on Nov. 13, 2002 ordering weapons inspectors back into Iraq with unfettered access to all sites. It was the latest in a series of chess moves between the U.N., the U.S. and the Iraqi government in the continuing fight to rid the Gulf War state of weapons on mass destruction [WMD].

In August 2002, the Iraqi government delivered yet another refusal to allow United Nations weapons inspectors back into the country. A week earlier, Iraq had sent an invitation to the chief U.N. weapons inspector to come to Baghdad to review the 1991-1998 inspections, Iraq rescinded its offer, calling the U.S. belief that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction a lie.

The recent refusal is just one highlight in the troubled history of U.N. attempts to verify that Iraq has destroyed its WMD. The 1991 ceasefire agreement that ended the Gulf War included Iraq's agreement to eliminate its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and missiles with a range over 150 kilometers. Set forth in U.N. security resolution 687, the agreement tied the lifting of U.N. sanctions to the destruction of Iraq's WMD arsenal.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middl...spections.html

[jonsensback]

I'm pretty sure the Dems wouldn't have signed on without the "supposed WMD threat" and "mushroom clouds" over US cities, but it's convenient to leave that part of it out.

Why would I have to leave anything out, we were all around them and obviosly half assed informed or we wouldn't be posting here?


My point is they al believed the same thing when he war began, but it became Bush's war when it got ugly.

Te exact same thing will happen with this business, Obama will be refered to the Sequestration President when this gets ugly.

[bmore_ken]

So the Dems just fell in line with that "stupid-no brains-low IQ" Bush because of what he said in the State of the Union.

How smart are/were they?

Smart enough to know if they said anything different then, the Rove machine would have branded them UNPATRIOTIC and they were still politicians and had campaigns to run

[Retired Ramp Guy]

Smart enough to know if they said anything different then, the Rove machine would have branded them UNPATRIOTIC

Ahhhhhh... make the bad man stop calling me names Mommy because I don't have the courage to speak to my own convictions defense. I see now.