Bush seeks nearly unlimited say in how to spend $25 billion for Iraq, Afgh

[Judi Lynn]

Bush seeks nearly unlimited say in how to spend $25 billion for Iraq, Afghanistan
By Alan Fram, Associated Press, 5/13/2004 03:35

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WASHINGTON (AP) President Bush is seeking nearly unfettered control over how $25 billion would be spent for U.S. military activity in Iraq and Afghanistan later this year.

Although Congress is considered certain to provide him with the money he wants, it is uncertain whether it will grant him the leeway he wants in dispensing the funds. They money is supposed to cover the first months of the government's 2005 budget year, which starts Oct. 1.

Bush formally asked lawmakers for the money on Wednesday, a week after administration officials first told congressional leaders that they were seeking the funds. The request abruptly reversed earlier declarations that they would not seek the money until after the November elections.

''This reserve fund will ensure that our men and women in uniform continue to have the resources they need when they need them,'' Bush wrote in a brief request barely longer than three pages.
(snip/...)

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/134/wash/Bush_seeks_nearly_unlimited_sa:.shtml

[MSgt213]

1. Just trust again. Meanwhile they will buy shit from Iran and Syria and

then say those countries are bad people or even worse support countries that are torturing their own citizens, or plan another war with the money.

[Fire Bush]

2. Where did the original 87 billion go?

Is there any way to find out? I mean this is the greatest democracy in the world right?

Oh crap...

[gasperc]

7. down the fucking tubes

and straight into the pockets of rich GOPer's

[newyawker99]

25. Hi Fire Bush!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[dusty64]

3. Bullshit!

Enough is enough, Congress will keep flushing our money down the toilet at their own peril. What amazes me is the lack of "outrage" over this, what happened to the huge amount they've already received?

[calimary]

20. Where is the outrage? Maybe we haven't help generate enough of it.

CALL YOUR REPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CALL YOUR MEDIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's How:

And finally , PLEASE NOTE MY SIG LINE – TO CALL YOUR REPS, TOLL FREE!!!

OR, TRY (877) – 762 – 8762. It’ll get you there, too! (Thank you, DUer redqueen!)


Please note, here, The World's Greatest Lists of Media Contacts – updated May 5, 2004– in the following thread:

LINK:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1533796#


IF THEY THINK WE DON’T CARE, THEY WON’T, EITHER!

[Gman]

4. They probably want to divert some of it to invade Syria or Iran

Like they did money for Afghanistan to Iraq.

[T Bone]

22. or divert to ISI in Pakistan to 'capture' Osama last 2 weeks of July

It certainly coincides with what Josh Marshall was saying at the beginning of this week. That there has been a US Govt 'suggestion' to the ISI in Pakistan that the last 2 weeks of July would be the optimal time to press the capture of Osama in Pakistan. $25 billion could at least create a lot of 'hot on the trail of Osama' echo at that time if large portions of it were handed over to the ISI there.

Just my guess. Past is prologue with these madmen.

[w4rma]

5. The heck with that! No oversight? ShrubCo is out of control. (nt)

[gasperc]

6. $100 million for voter education

about the necessity for the war and how our unwavering and uncritical support is necessary for the safety of our troops

:)

[bobthedrummer]

8. He's corrupt to the core and is harming US-folks, it has happened here.

The unthinkable.

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

[Solly Mack]

9. Of course the boy king demands control

when hasn't he?

[leesa]

10. Straight into his buddies pockets

[BLUEBOY]

11. Unfrucking believable

Shrub: "And let see how do you spell that again make check payable to Halliburton. Is that right uncle Dick?"

[Hand]

12. Hmm...

I guess this is the latest version of "BRING IT ON"...

:mad:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

17. Ka-ching it on!

:shrug:

[Bandit]

13. Bush* is asking for and probably being granted emperor status

It is Congress's duty by constitutional definition to oversee the spending of our nations resources. It is their job. Bush* is asking them to give up their constitutional authority and grant it to him in it's entirety. Congress would be completely derelict if they do this. We will see how the Democrats defend their authority in this matter. Some here, myself included, have questioned the Democrats fortitude in dealing with this administration. This issue will be a very blatant indicator of how well they defend the constitution.

[Tellurian]

23. If Congress give up their authority, it could set a precedent and great

damage in the future.

This administration doesn't believe in accountability.

Congress must step in and do it's job.

[struggle4progress]

14. Demand accounting and accountability ...

Open books. No more "lost money." Prohibitions on war profiteering.

[Just Me]

15. He asked for and received blank checks before,...why wouldn't he

,...ask for and expect to receive yet another?

Amazingly, the Pentagon/DoD never did account for, what was it, a couple BILLION dollars that just,...vanished,...poof.

:argh:

[ewagner]

16. Sure, We'll give you $25 Billion.....

as soon as:

You tell us where the other $87 Billion went.

You tell us what happened to that measly 'ole $1Trillion that the pentagon cant' seem to find.

You PROVE that Privatizing/Outsourcing is cheaper than using military troops.

You tell us EXACTLY WHY WE'RE IN IRAQ IN THE FIRST F-ING PLACE!

[Sgt. Peppers]

18. Anyone know how much Bush has asked for total?

Just courious

[Lorien]

19. Sounds like we need to write to our reps

talk to them about "fiscal responsibility" and other concepts that GOPers are apparently clueless about.

[calimary]

21. You bet your sweet bippy, Jen6! See my post above for

contact info (post 20). We've GOT to get on this!!!

FULL accountability, people! We HAVE to do this!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

24. After Grassley's comments last night on a news program about

how congress and the senate had abdicated their oversight responsibilities, it will be interesting to see how they go about this one.