Secretary of Defense Gates wants 70 Billion more to fund wars in 09

[Ironslave]

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert Gates says military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan would cost almost $136 billion for the 2009 budget year that began Oct. 1 if they continue at their current pace.

Speaking for neither his current boss, President George W. Bush _ nor his future one, President-elect Barack Obama _ Gates told top lawmakers in a New Year's Eve letter that the Pentagon would need nearly $70 billion more to supplement the $66 billion approved last year.

"This estimate is my personal assessment and does not reflect the position of the Bush administration or the incoming Obama administration," Gates said.

The estimate would cover Pentagon operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other elements of the global war on terror. An official request for war funding is coming next year, Gates said, after a review by the Obama administration.

In the letter, sent to the chairmen of the House and Senate panels overseeing the war, Gates said that Congress should expect that the Obama administration "will conduct a fresh review of these matters and provide an updated and more authoritative proposal early next year."

Gates also said the estimate doesn't account for a proposed increase in the tempo of operations in Afghanistan.

Congress provided about $188 billion for the global war on terror in the 2008, according to the Congressional Research Service, as a surge in Iraq operations helped bring greater stability to the troubled nation. Obama has promised to bring down war costs as he works to remove most U.S. combat troops.

All told, CRS says, Congress has approved $864 billion for the overseas wars and other programs related to the battle against terrorism since Sept. 11, 2001. Such funding includes military operations, base security, reconstruction, foreign aid, embassy costs and veterans' health care.

 

[TJ]

Congress has approved $864 billion for the overseas wars and other programs related to the battle against terrorism since Sept. 11, 2001.

I remember, not too long ago, when a million dollars was a lot of money.

Now, everything is counted in billions and soon to be trillions.

 

[Samoan-Z]

I personally think this war is a bad investment, now we remember real reason nations went to war was of a few reason that were valid and could be understood.

1. the other nation did something to piss us off.... Check.
2. the other nation had a set country and captial to attack ..... ummm TBD
3. the other nation had "spoils of war to fund the war which we initciated" ... TBD.

so as soon as this war resulted in no spoils or return of investment guess what? War should be over. As soon as potenial gain is outweighed by liability it's time to pull out of the invest of war we have waged for far too long.

 

[TJ]

I personally think this war is a bad investment, now we remember real reason nations went to war was of a few reason that were valid and could be understood.

1. the other nation did something to piss us off.... Check.
2. the other nation had a set country and captial to attack ..... ummm TBD
3. the other nation had "spoils of war to fund the war which we initciated" ... TBD.

so as soon as this war resulted in no spoils or return of investment guess what? War should be over. As soon as potenial gain is outweighed by liability it's time to pull out of the invest of war we have waged for far too long.

But, we provoked the attack so America can point the finger as much as they want; but America is really to blame.

 

[Samoan-Z]

But, we provoked the attack so America can point the finger as much as they want; but America is really to blame.

I dunno that could be argued, cause of 9/11.

But then again Bush did get on international TV, and pretty much tell Taliban and Saddam (RIP) we were going to come and kick thier asses.