Bill would make bases off-limits to new airport

[question everything]

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Bill would make bases off-limits to new airport

By: MARK WALKER - Staff Writer

NORTH COUNTY ---- Language quietly inserted into a defense spending bill by U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, and endorsed by California Sen. Dianne Feinstein on Wednesday, would declare three county military bases off-limits for a new commercial airport.

The provision in the House version of Defense Department spending for fiscal year 2007 also would make it unlawful for civilian aircraft to share the airfields at Camp Pendleton, Miramar Marine Corps Air Station and North Island Naval Air Station. If the language survives a House and Senate conference committee, it could render moot much of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority's focus on bases as a possible replacement for Lindbergh Field.

Hunter, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said Wednesday he had put the language in the bill to make certain that the airport authority would not have access to the bases, particularly with the U.S. engaged in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We are in two shooting wars and we've taken heavy casualties," Hunter, R-El Cajon, said during a telephone interview from his offices in Washington. "Training our Marines is extremely important, and in talking to our Marine commanders, it's been made clear to me that this issue is very distracting, and I put the language in so it won't be something they have to concentrate on."

(snip)

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/05/18/news/top_stories/21_10_425_17_06.txt

[saigon68]

1. To harken back to earlier times

In other words--- Seig Heil

On reflection "We are in 2 shooting wars"--- (what an AssClown)

[question everything]

2. I am surpried that Feinstein joined him (nt)