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Michael Roston

The Huffington Post

Bush's Manufactured "Emergency": Top Dems Say War Funding Can Wait Until Spring '08

October 23, 2007 03:55 PM


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2007-10-23-bushiraq.jpgDusting off his strategy from the previous showdown over Iraq war spending, President Bush has begun a public campaign to pressure Congress to quickly take up his "emergency" request.

Bush claims U.S. soldiers will suffer if the money isn't passed in time for the holidays. But senior congressional Democrats who oversee war funding don't believe the hype.

Staff for two top Democratic appropriators tell the Huffington Post that there's no need to bring up the additional funding for the troops until spring 2008.

"We've made it clear to the leadership that we plan to take up the President's supplemental request next year, and we're looking toward February," said Matthew Mazonkey, a spokesman to Rep. John Murtha, who chairs the powerful House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

"If we finish the main Defense appropriations bill on schedule," he added, "the troops will be provided for until March."

Staff for Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA), who sits with Murtha on the committee, agreed.

"We're probably not going to do the supplemental right now," said George Behan, Dicks' chief of staff. "We expect to finish the appropriations bill, so the Defense Department has the money to work with, and it's not like anyone can say we're cutting off the troops."

The statements of the two Democratic budget-makers fly in the face of the president's insistence that the supplemental budget needs to be completed hastily, and that Congress "should not go home for the holidays while our troops are still waiting for the funds they need."

During a White House press conference Monday, President Bush had pushed out a supplemental budget request on Monday to add $46 billion to his supplementary budget request pending before Congress. The President's latest request brings the total "emergency spending" planned for the Iraq War in 2008 up to $196 billion.

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- research See Profile I'm a Fan of research permalink

So Bush is threatening to leave our soldiers in harms way if we don't give him more money???!!!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:18 PM on 10/24/2007
- Forest See Profile I'm a Fan of Forest permalink

This secretive executive branch, including VP Cheney, hunkers down behind closed doors to dredge up more excuses to go to war and then bankrupts our nation by pouring billions of US dollars into sustaining wars. War is big business, just ask Halliburton and the Private Contractors. Bush's people want a war with Iran and are right now creating the new "mushroom" cloud excuse to justify it. During the Nuremberg trials, the Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson, stated, "To initiate a war of aggression, therefore, is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole."

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:28 PM on 10/24/2007
- danimal99 See Profile I'm a Fan of danimal99 permalink

Is there any more proof that this war is a disastrous, colossal waste of money? I mean, have we even started spending the last "emergency funding" yet, and he's already asking for more?

Democratic leaders, stop the madness right now! Use Bush's hyperbole as a reason to bring them home immediately, before the money "runs out."

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:58 PM on 10/24/2007
- forpeace See Profile I'm a Fan of forpeace permalink

*

F***** Bush.

Where is Osama?

*

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:54 PM on 10/24/2007
- forpeace See Profile I'm a Fan of forpeace permalink

*

...........and on top of that F**** any member of Congress who keep Funding this Illegal Invasion in the name of Fighting Terrorism.

Bush and all the Warmongers are the Biggest Terrorist.

*

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:57 PM on 10/24/2007
- oldfreedomdude See Profile I'm a Fan of oldfreedomdude permalink

Bush is obviously asking for money for an attack on Iran.
Congress must block all funding for the Bush Administration and impeach Bush and Cheney! He has lied about everything, why do they think he is being truthful now? This would be like supporting Hitler if he promised to be nice - this time.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:53 AM on 10/24/2007
- unclebucky See Profile I'm a Fan of unclebucky permalink

Right.

First thing you have to think is, don't believe a word he says. In fact, think of Bush as a type of a George Castanza, who says and does the opposite of being prudent.

This is for Iran, since he needs it by Oct 2008, right, only a year to go? {snicker}

Ugh.

--UB.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:03 PM on 10/24/2007
- RedRooster See Profile I'm a Fan of RedRooster permalink


The sociopath at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave manufactures $42 Billion Dollar emergencies while telling Americans who face a real medical emergency, there is no money available for them.

George W Bush is THE symbol for what is wrong with our country.

Wake Up America!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:02 AM on 10/24/2007
- frappe See Profile I'm a Fan of frappe permalink

The drumbeat for war with Iran continues to escalate as the rhetoric and histrionics begin to mushroom in the Bush White House.

The Democrats, and responsible Republicans, should be ever mindful of the artificial maneuverings by the Bush White House. They appear to want to start a war with Iran before the elections of '08. And I'm sure that by doing so they hope to sway more voters to the dark side.

Congress should be resolute in its opposition to a war with Iran prior to the elections of '08. The world is not in danger of any "mushroom clouds" emanating from Iran any time soon.

Stop Bush and Cheney from doing any more harm than they've already done.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:16 AM on 10/24/2007
- coonce See Profile I'm a Fan of coonce permalink

Here we go again, more HOT AIR coming our way from BOTH sides, with Bush winning yet again - unless the Democrats AND a few brave Republicans step up vote down any more funding bills for war or they filibuster them.

Bush is claiming the soldiers need bullet proof vests and equipment to keep them safe....WHY ON EARTH aren't they ALREADY protected? What has Bush been doing with that already budgeted money?

Coonsey's View
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http://www.freewebs.com/coonsey/

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:15 AM on 10/24/2007
- weslenforever See Profile I'm a Fan of weslenforever permalink

That so-called "emergency" request includes money for Mexico, supposedly, to help Mexico's president fund the "war on drugs". Bush is in LOVE with that word, WAR, gives him chills.
In the first place, most of the illegal drugs in this country COME FROM MEXICO. They are responsible for it. They should be the ones paying for it.
In the second place, imagine giving billions to Mexico so they can turn around and use it to hire lawyers to try to prevent us from enforcing our laws.
In the third place, How the Hell does giving billions of dollars to Mexico SUPPORT OUR TROOPS?
We can't "afford" health care for children but we can "afford" billions for Mexico. Mexico should be paying America for all the money it has cost to feed, clothe and educate untold millions of Mexican illegals for the last 20 years.
This is so disgusting it is BEYOND BELIEF.
DEPORT BUSH. HE'S NOT AN AMERICAN. HE'S A MEXICAN WANNABE. IF WE CAN'T GET HIM IMPEACHED DEPORTATION IS THE NEXT BEST THING. Then he won't have to work so hard for his North American Union or his "Keep Texas Moving" super highway. And the rest of us can live in peace.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:45 AM on 10/24/2007
- Hopalongpoppyseed See Profile I'm a Fan of Hopalongpoppyseed permalink

Weslenforever, It is very important that you have pointed out the money for the so called drug war in Bush's demand for 42 billion more. The recent article here on HufPost on Bush wanting a drug surge, pointed out that 500 million for escalating the drug war (really buying influence and cronies south of the border), was included in the demand for 42 billion. 500 million is nearly 12% of the 42 billion and it seems to me that it is the first thing that should be cut from the request. We should encourage John Murtha and Norm Dicks and our own individual Congressperson to support removing the $500 million drug war boondoggle.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:00 PM on 10/24/2007
- unclebucky See Profile I'm a Fan of unclebucky permalink

I like your stuff down to the DEPORT business.

Sure, I'd like to see him eating bugs in Paraguay, but the fact is that we are not going to be able to Impeach, much less get him out of office any time before 01-20-09. Sadly.

How can we constrain him, therefore, is the key.

Stop the Congress from approving this funding. It is idiotic and it is using the troops as hostages. That has GOT to be criminal along with all the other nasty things he has done, but we will have to wait until after the bastard is out of Office (pray he won't manufacture a reason to stall elections and stay in command).

Well, don't pray... act!

Ugh.

--UB.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:07 AM on 10/24/2007
- paixa3 See Profile I'm a Fan of paixa3 permalink

I wish the USA would face reality. You have a resident in the white house that is an evil sociopath. One who has had a manufactured life.

Geezuzz, wake up.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:38 AM on 10/24/2007
- texanna See Profile I'm a Fan of texanna permalink

Well, right on cue (about 60 days from a seasonal recess of Congress)Shrub rolls out another demand for more money for his occupation -- Act I. For the next 60 days we will be pounded by an increasingly loud harangue with many reasons as to why it is IMPERATIVE that he be given this money NOW! You all know the reasons -- troops, equipment, AQI, al quaeda all over, yatta, yatta, yatta. This Act II will end with the penultimate Top Dem Scary Thing, the Fake-Attack-On-The-Capitol-Tomorrow tactic complete with scary-looking, Blackwater-type paramilitary types with dogs roaming all over Congress, the Mall and anywhere else that they think will scare the shit out of everybody on the day before Congress is supposed to recess. Act III will commence with the Top Dems caving to Shrub (yet again) drafting whatever legislation they can to do whatever he wants and hitting the "Yes" button right before hightailing it out of town for their various home states. Usually it's summer where we get reruns, isn't it?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:34 AM on 10/24/2007
- A Meat Beetle See Profile I'm a Fan of A Meat Beetle permalink

tex:

You are 100% correct. I have decided to leave the Democratic party and re-register as an independent. Yesterday's Dem attack of Pete Stark (hence an attack the majority of the American people) was the last straw. There are still Dems I like (Blumenauer is my rep and I will continue to support him), but I can no longer be a member of a party in which the weakest, most cowardly members are allowed to assume positions of leadership. If you're stupid enough to be fooled or manipulated by the likes of George Bush (GEORGE F***ING BUSH!!! This is a guy who has to take off his pants to count to 11!) then don't ask me for any support.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:41 AM on 10/24/2007
- tombollocks See Profile I'm a Fan of tombollocks permalink

Welcome to independence!. Trust me, it feels soooo good.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:43 PM on 10/24/2007
- Earl See Profile I'm a Fan of Earl permalink

Is Bush too drunk to plan ahead? Everything gets pushed to the last minute and then becomes an emergency? How about if he tells us right now what he wants for next year, and we can talk about it. No need to wait until it becomes an emergency.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:57 AM on 10/24/2007
- SmallvilleSC See Profile I'm a Fan of SmallvilleSC permalink

It's called being a reactionary. There has been no sign of this presidency ever planning for anything. Planning requires thinking.
It's been knee-jerk responses to 9-11, Katrina, and anything else since Bush2 took office.
Any of the so-called plans were nothing more than smoke screens of this incompetent fool.
When sea-water laps at the front door of his Texas home he'll call on something to be done about global warming.
When the twins need emergency surgery but cannot afford it then he'll cry about universal health care.
When...well, you get the picture.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:46 AM on 10/24/2007
- A Meat Beetle See Profile I'm a Fan of A Meat Beetle permalink

Small:
Re: "There has been no sign of this presidency ever planning for anything."

That's not exactly true. A few weeks ago Bush said that, after leaving office, he plans to use his status as a former "president" (yeah, right, president. It's laughable.) to make a lot of money on the speaking circuit. There are even rumors that he has begun practicing how to correctly pronounce 4- and 5-syllable words (he's only a few years away from being able to say "nu-cle-ar"). No sign of planning indeed!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:49 AM on 10/24/2007
- joebaggadonuts See Profile I'm a Fan of joebaggadonuts permalink

It seems that as each new player gets thrust into the lime light, he or she fails us. No one can stand up to the evil that is upon the land, foisted upon us by our Administration.

Even a heart felt plea by a 76 year old congress-member to fund health-care for less well off children which calls a spade a spade - i.e. that the President is sending troops to be killed for his amusement rather than funding children's survival becomes a heart felt plea for his office to once again become insignificant as the glare of hate focuses on him for his remarks.

One would think that toward the end of one's life at least one would have the temerity to stand by principles and oppose the outrage of the devil spawn. But one would be wrong.

It's my way or hell's fury says our nation's usurper in chief. God knows what I will do to you if you cross me!

As the R's lose power they grow more desperate, punishing anyone who breaks ranks more strongly each time. Sun Tsu mentioned that this was a sign of desperation. That is our silver lining.

Will we be able to resist this funding request to prevent war with Iran? It will take bravery on the part of the next several men and women who are staring down those spot lights. Given that there are getting to be more and more of such men and women on whom the spotlight will fall, it may come at any time now.

God save America.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:52 AM on 10/24/2007
- darker See Profile I'm a Fan of darker permalink

GWBush has been STALLING, STALLING, STALLING to drag out his Iraq INVASION-war so he can SHOVEL taxpayer money to his WAR PROFITEER CORPORATE WELFARE QUEENS pals.

Rightwing republican GOAL is to enrich THE RICH MULTINATION CORPORATIONS who want to "run the world" and to disempower less-rich Americans.

It's time for Congress to STALL Bush.
NO MORE TAXPAYER DOLLARS FOR BUSH & COMPANY'S SHITTY CORRUPT WAR.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:50 AM on 10/24/2007
- varpsonic See Profile I'm a Fan of varpsonic permalink

the end is near, so repent somehow.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:34 AM on 10/24/2007
- kardwell See Profile I'm a Fan of kardwell permalink

varpsonic - you might want to signal the white house, republican party and all the faux-christian hypocrites who put them in office. the true "evil doers" among us. shave g.w.'s head and i am sure you'll find your mark of the beast.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:44 AM on 10/24/2007
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