Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Gates: ‘This Is A Reform Budget’
Feeling a bit of hope and change right now:
I don’t think it’s overstating things to say that Defense Secretary Gates’ announcement of his 2010 defense budget recommendations represents an appreciable shift in the way that the United States approaches the issue of military acquisitions. Applying lessons learned in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as signifying a recognition that the continuing economic crisis places real constraints on defense spending, Gates’ recommendations are an important — but by no means comprehensive — move toward a responsible re-balancing of America’s defense spending priorities.
Describing it as “the product of a holistic assessment of capabilities, requirements, risks and needs for the purpose of shifting this department in a different strategic direction,” Gates said that “this is a reform budget, reflecting lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan yet also addressing the range of other potential threats around the world, now and in the future.”
Gates laid a shot across the bow of those in Congress who are likely to try and reinstate beloved boondoggles like the Airborne Laser and the F-22 Raptor, (which Gates recommended canceling after 187 are built) saying “I know that in the coming weeks we will hear a great deal about threats, and risk and danger -– to our country and to our men and women in uniform –- associated with different budget choices. Some will say I am too focused on the wars we are in and not enough on future threats.”
"The allocation of dollars in this budget definitely belies that claim. But, it is important to remember that every defense dollar spent to over-insure against a remote or diminishing risk -– or, in effect, to “run up the score” in a capability where the United States is already dominant -– is a dollar not available to take care of our people, reset the force, win the wars we are in, and improve capabilities in areas where we are underinvested and potentially vulnerable. That is a risk I will not take."
Monday, April 6, 2009
Action Alerts
Send an e-mail: Tell the Legislature: Don't Pave Florida (CC)
Send an e-mail: Protect Florida's Workers (FL AFL-CIO)
Send an e-mail: Stop SB 1360: Bill Would Allow Prayer at Public School Events (AUSCS)
Send an e-mail: Help Save Florida's Renewable Energy Future! (SC)
Send an e-mail: Protect The Grand Canyon from Uranium Mining! (SC)
Send an e-mail: Tell your representative to co-sponsor a national Healthy Oceans Act (NRDC)
Donate money: Support Food Democracy Now!
Donate money: Support the Fair Elections Now Act (PC)
Donate money: Support the Ocean River Institute
Donate money: Support the Union of Concerned Scientists
Sign the petition: Stop Shelter Animals From Being Sold for Research! (AHS)
Sign the petition: Ban the Gas Chamber for Animals in Michigan! (AHS)
Send an e-mail: Protect Florida's Workers (FL AFL-CIO)
Send an e-mail: Stop SB 1360: Bill Would Allow Prayer at Public School Events (AUSCS)
Send an e-mail: Help Save Florida's Renewable Energy Future! (SC)
Send an e-mail: Protect The Grand Canyon from Uranium Mining! (SC)
Send an e-mail: Tell your representative to co-sponsor a national Healthy Oceans Act (NRDC)
Donate money: Support Food Democracy Now!
Donate money: Support the Fair Elections Now Act (PC)
Donate money: Support the Ocean River Institute
Donate money: Support the Union of Concerned Scientists
Sign the petition: Stop Shelter Animals From Being Sold for Research! (AHS)
Sign the petition: Ban the Gas Chamber for Animals in Michigan! (AHS)
Ammunition
The latest links to the information you need to counter right-wing spin...
Another Fox graphic falsely suggests Pay for Performance Bill applies to all employees
National Journal reported that McCain "buck[ed] his party on immigration," but ignored his reversal
Joining Their 11 Colleagues, Eight More Republicans Advance Cap-And-Trade Tax Myth
Glenn Beck: I was wrong. We’re not marching to socialism, we’re marching toward fascism.
Filibusters skyrocket under Republican minority in 110th Congress
GOP Budget Deficit Projections Don’t Account For $3 Trillion In Budget-Busting Tax Cuts
More Than 99% Of The Kyl-Lincoln $250 Billion Estate Tax Giveaway Goes To Wealthy Families
GOP Budget Would Privatize Medicare By 2021
Conservatives Falsely Assert That Green Economy Legislation Would Impose $3,100 Tax On Families
Fox News' La Jeunesse ignores effective tax rate to claim U.S. corporate tax "second highest in the world"
The Hill ignored GOP's use of reconciliation process in forwarding claim it "was never intended to ram through major legislation"
Hannity criticized Geithner plan to "seize companies," but not GOP proposal to do so
Norquist's claim that Fox Nation "takes no position on issues" undermined by Fox Nation -- and Norquist
Fox Business' Smith falsely claimed banks returning TARP money obtained funds under Obama
Myths and falsehoods relating to President Obama's budget proposal
Another Fox graphic falsely suggests Pay for Performance Bill applies to all employees
National Journal reported that McCain "buck[ed] his party on immigration," but ignored his reversal
Joining Their 11 Colleagues, Eight More Republicans Advance Cap-And-Trade Tax Myth
Glenn Beck: I was wrong. We’re not marching to socialism, we’re marching toward fascism.
Filibusters skyrocket under Republican minority in 110th Congress
GOP Budget Deficit Projections Don’t Account For $3 Trillion In Budget-Busting Tax Cuts
More Than 99% Of The Kyl-Lincoln $250 Billion Estate Tax Giveaway Goes To Wealthy Families
GOP Budget Would Privatize Medicare By 2021
Conservatives Falsely Assert That Green Economy Legislation Would Impose $3,100 Tax On Families
Fox News' La Jeunesse ignores effective tax rate to claim U.S. corporate tax "second highest in the world"
The Hill ignored GOP's use of reconciliation process in forwarding claim it "was never intended to ram through major legislation"
Hannity criticized Geithner plan to "seize companies," but not GOP proposal to do so
Norquist's claim that Fox Nation "takes no position on issues" undermined by Fox Nation -- and Norquist
Fox Business' Smith falsely claimed banks returning TARP money obtained funds under Obama
Myths and falsehoods relating to President Obama's budget proposal
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Important Reading
Good stuff you all should read from bloggers around the country...
Incertus (Brian): The Myth of Online Anonymity
Daily Kos: Treasury working overtime to undo Congressional restrictions
Open Left: Conservative Blogs Gaining On Progressives
Open Left: Voting and Donating Require Different Activist Calculations
Open Left: Internet Etiquette
Down With Tyranny: Does Obama Have What It Takes To Be A Truly Transformative President?
Open Left: The Old Question: Movement or Party?
Open Left: Why No One Believes What Democrats Say
Shakesville: Scenes from the Struggle in Post-Feminist America
Open Left: Advocates Identify Voter Registration System as Nation's Biggest Election Problem
MyDD: DNC Working On Changes to 2012 Presidential Nominating Calendar
Incertus (Brian): The Myth of Online Anonymity
Daily Kos: Treasury working overtime to undo Congressional restrictions
Open Left: Conservative Blogs Gaining On Progressives
Open Left: Voting and Donating Require Different Activist Calculations
Open Left: Internet Etiquette
Down With Tyranny: Does Obama Have What It Takes To Be A Truly Transformative President?
Open Left: The Old Question: Movement or Party?
Open Left: Why No One Believes What Democrats Say
Shakesville: Scenes from the Struggle in Post-Feminist America
Open Left: Advocates Identify Voter Registration System as Nation's Biggest Election Problem
MyDD: DNC Working On Changes to 2012 Presidential Nominating Calendar
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