Budget woes force Army bases to cut services

[Joey Liberal]

This is what happens when the President and his "rubber stamp" republican congress make tax cuts a priority during war time. Yet, the Army has enough money and spare time to make all sorts of needless, expensive uniform changes. First it was issuing each Soldier a black beret (once respected and earned by graduating from ranger school and being assigned to a ranger unit- but now issued), then the silly looking new fatigues (not needed - the Army had good field fatigues when I was in - they were called Jungle Fatigues - just produce them in desert colors and BINGO - we'd have great desert fatigues), and now, they are doing away with the Army Greens and each Soldier will wear Dress Blues. The new PT uniform is downright criminal. These are peacetime issues that shouldn't even be considered during wartime. Especially when the Army can't even pay its bills.
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FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - A diversion of dollars to help fight the war in Iraq has helped create a $530 million shortfall for Army posts at home and abroad, leaving some unable to pay utility bills or even cut the grass.
In San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston hasn’t been able to pay its $1.4 million monthly utility bill since March, prompting workers in many of the post’s administrative buildings to get automated disconnection notices.

Fort Bragg in North Carolina can’t afford to buy pens, paper or other office supplies until the new fiscal year starts in October.

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[Avalux]

1. I posted about this a few weeks ago.

I live in San Antonio, and the situation at Ft. Sam is appalling. They've suspended all sorts of support services, those things that families whose loved ones are deployed depend upon. All that damn money we give to the Pentagon and they can't even take care of basic needs, like electricity. It's a travesty.

[Joey Liberal]

2. It's the same way at Ft. Sill

How do Bush and the republicans get away with this crap?

[Avalux]

3. I don't know -

and I'm surprised this issue hasn't gotten more attention. CPS (electric co) is trying to work with Ft. Sam, but of course it puts them in a bind. Our military is in terrible shape; equipment torn up, shortages all over the place, recruits down. Bushco has made us LESS safe by their misuse of the troops.

[atreides1]

7. Because they control the media

NBC=GE
CBS=Westing House

Both are big defense contractors

ABC=Disney

We all know the love that Disney has for the Religious Right.

[partylessinOhio]

4. I don't see these people marching in the streets or getting air time

on all these channels. I don't see then sending letters to the media or drawing any attention to the situation.

Oh and BTW, didn't most of them vote for the criminal * and genuflect to him in his presence?

I think they need to speak out every chance they get and they need to vote for candidates that will change their plight.

When you kiss a pig you cannot claim that you didn't know it was a pig.

[Avalux]

5. That's rather harsh.

Not everyone in the military voted for Bush. :eyes:

[atreides1]

6. But the gossip is that they did vote for him in large numbers.

And every time he does a PR stunt, the men and women in uniform sit there smile and applaud like trained circus animals.

[BOSSHOG]

8. This Veteran hasn't voted for a republican since 1976

and I sincerely doubt I ever will in the future.