Inside Politics just reported

[CatWoman]

that * is willing to "compromise" with Congress to get his billions for Iraq.

Seems that even the Republicans are down on him -- they looked at the huge amounts requested for such things as instituting a zip code system in Iraq and are telling Shrubby "no way".

[wryter2000]

1. Zip codes

Oh, great...all those people died so that Iraq could have zip codes.

I think I'll go lie down.

[CatWoman]

2. Zip Codes are just the tip of the iceberg

A new curriculum for training an Iraqi army for $164 million. Five hundred experts, at $200,000 each, to investigate crimes against humanity. A witness protection program for $200,000 per Iraqi participant. A computer study for the Iraqi postal service: $54 million.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2213-2003Sep25.html

[ronzo]

9. Hey shrub, I'll do it... how much?

where'd I put my map?

[goobergunch]

3. What's "compromise" with the rubber-stamp Congress?

$87B cut to $83B?

me <--- not optimistic

[RobertSeattle]

4. Heck they "compromise" at $97 Billion

After all the "rider" pork gets thrown in.

[CatWoman]

5. Compromise in the way of

granting loans to Iraq instead of giving them the money outright.

Or, having * settle for less than requested.

[Toucano]

11. Common strategy?

I had a feeling they were asking for more than they expected to get.

I hope the Dems can drag the discussion out until more details can be revealed, but I think I saw a few Repubs choking and wheezing at the amount, too.

[CatWoman]

14. Check the link I posted above

more details of what they are asking for:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2213-2003Sep25.html

[ronzo]

15. concur.

bushco probably gleaned that from the last trip to the hill. Ask them for twice as much as you need. SOP now.

[welshTerrier2]

13. now don't be so cynical

show a little respect, will ya ...

bush clearly indicated he was willing to compromise ... my understanding is that, while he's not willing to reduce the amount of money requested, he is willing to go along with five-digit zip codes in iraqi post offices instead of the original nine-digit codes that bremmer wanted ...

now i think everyone should just stop complaining ... it's a very nice gesture ...

[realFedUp]

6. Investigating Saddam's crimes is key

if you intend him to face the World Court
but if you intend the same treatment his sons
got, save the money.

[spooky3]

7. Looks as if unemployed Americans should get their resumes

in order. There'll be lots of good jobs over in Iraq--if you have the right connections.

[Demobrat]

8. Compromise with Congress?

I thought it was the UN he wanted to help.

[IrateCitizen]

10. The only acceptable "compromises", IMHO

1. All administrative authority for the transition to a fully Iraqi government is turned over completely to the United Nations.

2. All no-bid contracts are rendered null and void.

3. A detailed outline of the appropriations of this $87 billion is laid out. No "profiteering" by US corps be permitted.

4. The US immediately agree to support the establishment of a "nuclear-free zone" throughout the ME (a proposal floated by Syria and Jordan, IIRC, but rejected by the US, Pakistan and Israel).

5. The US agree to sign on to the ICC immediately.

[nannygoat]

16. Also add: fire the lousy SOBs

whose lies, miscalculations and "malfeance" got us into this mess (besides * and Cheney)--Rumfilled, Condi, Powell, Wolfie, Perle, etc.

[meegbear]

12. Things like zip codes ...

just don't magically appear you know. It'll take Halliburton tens of millions of dollars to implement. And don;t get me started on implementing the Dewey decimal system ....