Obama, Lugar Secure Funding for Implementation of Nonproliferation Law

[WonderGrunion]

http://lugar.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=278019&

$48 million funding increase to be used to destroy conventional weapons stockpiles, intercept weapons of mass destruction and respond to proliferation emergencies

Thursday, June 28, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee accepted their request to provide funding to implement the Lugar-Obama nonproliferation initiative. The Appropriations Committee expressed support for the initiative and provided $48 million for Lugar-Obama, $36 million for programs to destroy heavy conventional weapons, $10 million for efforts to intercept weapons and materials of mass destruction, and $2 million for rapid response to proliferation detection and interdiction emergencies. This is the culmination of an 18 month effort to authorize and fund the Lugar-Obama initiative.

First introduced in November 2005 and enacted in 2007, the Lugar-Obama initiative enhances U.S. efforts to destroy conventional weapons stockpiles and to detect and interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction throughout the world.

“I applaud the decision to provide funding to implement the Lugar-Obama initiative – a major step forward in addressing critical security challenges faced by the United States and our allies,” said Senator Obama. “Much of this funding will prevent conventional weapons from being used against our service members in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan and from falling into the hands of terrorists and fueling civil wars around the world. This funding will further strengthen our ability to detect and intercept illegal shipments of weapons and materials of mass destruction, enhancing efforts to prevent nuclear terrorism. I commend Senators Leahy and Gregg for their support on this critical issue.”

This and his current efforts to disarm the nuclear stockpiles of the world is justification for Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. I grew up in an era where "No Nukes" was the primary peace movement cause.

[eleny]

1. Oh yes, "Ban The Bomb"

I remember, too.

[WonderGrunion]

2. And Obama was fighting for this since the Senate

I always used Obama-Lugar when any repuke asked "What legislation has Obama been responsible for?"

[eleny]

4. They use their own ignorance of his accomplishments as proof that he's done nothing

[WonderGrunion]

5. I think it's willful ignorance on their part

Some people just want to rally against authority. DU was the safe place for that during the * administration.

[eleny]

6. I just watched the latest video of Rep Grayson in the Videos forum

The right wing really is in anti-Obama knee jerk reaction. Grayson said that if Obama ate bacon, they'd try to outlaw ham (a loose paraphrase).

The right wing is terrified of Obama gaining any sort of political capital and winning the Nobel gives him some because it illustrates what he's done on the world stage. It reminds people how well liked he's been. I'm reminded of the reception he received in Germany prior to the election. It scares the right wing to no end as they desperately try to rewrite history.

[WonderGrunion]

7. I agree

I hate to see that knee jerk reaction here on DU also though.

[eleny]

11. Some thought he was more liberal than he really is

I'm on tenterhooks over the Afghanistan decision that's in the making.

[WonderGrunion]

13. Unlike the last administration

President Obama is taking time to look at the situation over there before committing more troops. I think he may surprise many of his critics on Afghanistan.

[WonderGrunion]

3. Kick for the anti-Obama people

n/m

[VenusRising]

8. I agree with you.

I think that he's done a great deal toward nuclear disarmament in a very short period of time with great success.

[WonderGrunion]

9. Thank you, Pres. Obama is hardly perfect.

But to say he has done nothing to earn the Nobel is patently false.

[redqueen]

10. K&R

[WonderGrunion]

12. Thanks RedQueen

Appreciate the kick

[redqueen]

14. My pleasure.

Appreciate the dose of sanity.

[WonderGrunion]

15. Obama is not perfect

But his detractors don't even try to see any good in him, it seems.

[redqueen]

16. Exactly, and furthermore... they go out of their way to be negative.

Weird hobby, but there it is.

[WonderGrunion]

17. Well, every hobby has an equal and opposite hobby

I don't mind cheer leading for a Democratic President on Democratic Underground. Especially with a much deserved honor like this.

[WonderGrunion]

18. Kick for the afternoon crowd. Obama has been working for peace

Since the early days of his Senate career.