Bush plan to pull troops from Europe questioned

[leftchick]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/9421001.htm?1c

<snip>
Although the president's speech Monday was billed as the formal unveiling of the plan, most of the details had been reported in June, after the proposal was circulated among allies in Europe and Asia.

<snip>
Bush's long-expected announcement Monday was in a swing state that the White House has identified as essential to the president's re-election. The speech is part of an effort leading into this month's Republican National Convention to promote Bush's record on national security, which polls show is his greatest advantage against his Democratic competitor, Sen. John Kerry.

<snip>
How much money the plan would save is open to dispute. The Pentagon will almost certainly want to buy more long-range transport and refueling aircraft and high-speed ships if it wants to be able to send large numbers of forces overseas quickly on short notice. Some Democrats note that billions of dollars would have to be spent renovating U.S. bases to absorb the returning troops.

A May 2004 study by the Congressional Budget Office, a watchdog agency, warned, ``There would be limited annual savings to offset the large initial investment needed to re-station U.S. forces unless U.S. presence overseas was greatly reduced. In that case, annual savings could exceed $1 billion, but the net upfront investment would be substantial -- on the order of $7 billion.''

[Florida_Geek]

1. Bush and the Repugs pulled

500 Million from THIS years budget for update to military housing... that does not count these "new" troops coming home.

[luaneryder]

2. So it's okay to put these returnees

in substandard housing or tents. None of these troops are coming home; it's nothing but another * smokescreen and lie. If anywhere they'll be going to the ME for the next * invasion of Iran. So transparent.

[chuck555]

4. Its your right to have an opinion,

but I sure would like a link to something.

[RivetJoint]

3. How much of that $500M

Was for overseas housing? Plus most stateside base housing is being privatized.

[HereSince1628]

5. Commanders order troop movements, I smell a Rove

I've contemplated a dozen or so reasons for this and several stand out as politically useful...

Housing and facilities will have to begin to be built soon to meet the planned troop movements a couple years from now. So million$ will be promised (like the dream of winning the lottery) to communities where the bases will be expanded (read that as rewarding Bush's base of support) just in time to influence the vote.

Bush's growing image as Commander in Brief needed a shot of Dr. Feelgood and he got to be seen as moving troops something only a commander gets to do.

[leftchick]

6. sort of like.....

shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic?