Troop R&R Budget So Far Won't Cover Costs

[Khephra]

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: December 3, 2003


Filed at 10:12 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon has told congressional researchers that it will cost far more than the $55 million previously suggested to help troops get home on leave from Iraq and Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday.

Until now, the largest R&R program since the Vietnam War has flown soldiers free only to three cities in the United States and one in Germany, leaving them to pay airfare for any connecting flights the rest of the way home.

more...........

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Paying-for-RR.html

[aquart]

1. We sure do treat our troops well, don't we?

Some leaders would have the sense not to screw the army until the war is over.

[saigon68]

2. This WAR will never be over.

It is perpetual WAR. It will go on for generations.

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. 87+ BILLION for war on Iraq, - peanuts for the "warriors" ??

. . From the Article:

"Though the language was not binding, the Pentagon said it intended to cover airfare for connecting flights and was not sure if it could also cover other travel costs.

The Pentagon told the Congressional Research Service late last month that it expected to spend $344 million getting troops as the states and Germany, according to a service memo released by Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md."

/snip/

"Ruppersberger urged Americans to donate to Operation Hero Miles, a program he has set up to pool frequent flier miles for use by service members."

/snip/

Sooo - after Bu$hCo and his gang of thugs stole all them tax-dollars from the people for this illegal war, the troops have to rely on CHARITY to get them home ??

And people still SUPPORT Bush ???

Well - if'n y'all let Junior back in for another 4 years

I'm tempted to say - You DESERVE Him !!

Heck

- if ever a pResident deserved Impeaching

- Junior's the ONE !!

[salin]

4. Have to save that money for US based 'contractors' to 'rebuild'

but didn't I just read that even with all that $$$ Bechtel hasn't done a real good job 'rebuilding schools'... all hype and money... from the tax payers with little to no oversight... while depending on taxpayers to donate to take care of servicefolks basic RR needs (after extending many stays in combat areas - doesn't RR become a basic necessity?) Priorities... we know that the bushies have them - self enrichment and ego - not taking care of those who are ordered to carry out the orders to protect that self-enrichment.

[Turley]

5. Not entirely something new.

When I had R&R from Joint Endeavor ('95-'96) they didn't get me all the way home either. I only got a flight to Rhein-Main Airbase.

Basically R&R just means getting you out of the box to someplace where you can relax, drink beer, and have sex. There have never been any guarantees to get soldiers to their hometowns.

[ConcernedCanuk]

6. "never been any guarantees to get soldiers to their hometowns"

. . Well, don't we see something WRONG with that ?

. . these Young Americans are putting their lives on the line

only Gawwd know why

BUT

with the BILLIONS alloted for this "war"

ya think you could get the soldiers "home" ????

right - priorities , more is going to Haliburton and gang than troops RnR

something BIG wrong here

Just My Humble Canuk Opinion