White House Readies ($65 Billion) Iraq Spending Request (inc $75M Iran)

[UpInArms]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=544&e=6&u=/ap/20060216/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_iraq

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon would receive another $65 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan while hurricane recovery efforts along the Gulf Coast would get an infusion of at least $18 billion under a request coming from the Bush administration on Thursday.

Almost $5 billion more is expected for foreign assistance, including an additional $75 million to promote democratic institutions in Iran as outlined by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in congressional testimony Wednesday. All told, the request for the wars, foreign aid and other anti-terrorism efforts are expected to exceed $72 billion.

The massive supplemental spending request discussed by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld before a congressional committee Thursday would bring the total price tag for the Iraq and Afghanistan missions to almost $400 billion.

Last year, Congress provided $50 billion for the war effort for the current budget year.

President Bush's budget anticipates another $50 billion for the budget year beginning Oct. 1, though the costs are likely to be much greater.

...more...

[rodeodance]

1. Just say NO.

[atreides1]

4. They Won't

They'll give in, hell, they won't even put up much of a fight.

[Magleetis]

5. As in New Orleans

How about giving that money to New Orleans.

[High Plains]

2. When will our representatives start voting againt this shit?

No money for wars!

Jesus Christ, aren't they already asking for $400 billion for the Defense Department? Maybe the Pentagon should cut out a missile program or two.

[hadrons]

3. "to promote democratic institutions in Iran ...."

hmmm, don't the people of Iran already vote???