Panetta "The proposed cuts would break faith with troops and their families,"

[The Straight Story]

Panetta, Clinton warn that State, Defense cuts undermine security


Steep cuts to military or diplomatic budgets could undermine national security, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Tuesday in a joint appearance.

The two Cabinet members said cuts that could be triggered under the debt-ceiling deal signed by President Obama earlier this month could hurt U.S. troops while limiting the State Department's ability to engage in diplomacy.

"The proposed cuts would break faith with troops and their families," Panetta said. "It would literally undercut our ability to provide for the national defense."


Clinton echoed the new Pentagon leader's concerns, warning that budget were casting "a pall" over the U.S. ability to project its security interests.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/177045-panetta-proposed-defense-cuts-would-break-faith-with-troops

[sakabatou]

1. THen bring the fucking troops home, you bastard.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. They are talking of the retirement system among others

so bringing the troops home IN THAT PARTICULAR instance, would make no difference.

That said, we can't afford them wars anymore, so yes, bring them home.

[malaise]

12. Any attempt to mess with their retirement system

is a fugging breach of contract

[Gin]

3. why do the cuts have to be against the troops....why not cut

some foreign aid and funds to private security companies that make triple what our guys and gals make.

how about cutting the CIA funding...all of that is a secret..

[dmallind]

7. Because foreign aid in total is less than 3% of the cuts targeted. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Foreign aid is less than 3% of the budget

the DOD is close to 60% last time I checked.

I agree though, we shoudl severely touch mercs... but they are not talking of SYSTEMS or RAYTHEON, they are talkign of the TROOPS themselves, which are the cheapest part of the budget actually...

[Angleae]

19. Nope, Defense spending is just over 24%

$928.5 billion out of $3.8 trillion and that includes foreign aid and veterans

http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/budget_gs.php?span=usgs302&year=2011&view=1&expand=3133&expandC=&units=b&fy=fy11&local=undefined&state=US#usgs30230

[truebrit71]

5. A-fucking-men...

..quit the posing and the blustering, bring 'em home...

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. Then, you idiot, cut the number of troops along with money.

:banghead:

[DJ13]

6. Quick, hide behind the troops!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Preferably with crocodile tears in his eyes and surrounded by flags.

[denverbill]

9. What do you mean our 'security interests'? Oil fields? Pipelines?

[Dawson Leery]

10. The proposed cuts will take from the bottom line of military contractors.

[gratuitous]

16. No, that must be avoided at all costs

So the only cuts Panetta will consider are those that affect personnel and their families. I don't think anyone could have foreseen that contemplated cuts to the defense budget would fall disproportionately (or exclusively) on pay and benefits. So, after much debate and heartfelt expressions of patriotism and piety toward our national religion, we're awfully sorry, but we just can't cut the military budget. At all. Unless you want disabled veterans dumped out of their wheelchairs into the street. You don't want that, do you? In the rain? Is that what you dirty fucking hippies want? Because that's what's going to happen!

[Solly Mack]

11. Actually, constantly renewing defense/diplomatic contracts with thieves and

other assorted thugs has done a good deal to "break the faith" with troops and their families.


All that "lost" money...that the US keeps giving to thugs over and over again...

[CleanGreenFuture]

13. It is infuriating that when cuts to the military are finally discussed, it's the TROOPS' they

come after first.

Not new weapons systems. Not base closures. Not withdrawing from contrived wars.

No. None of that and more.

TROOPS is who they go after.

[Ichingcarpenter]

18. We need the to protect the oceans and land in case

Aliens want to take our salt water and air.

[madrchsod]

15. "my forgotten man"

[closeupready]

17. Money's not there. Sorry.

nt