I remember as a kid 40 years ago every winter we would dig snow caves in South Windsor, and although we were all friends we would take "sides" and have temporary snow-ball "fights" with the kids across the street, with snow-forts that we would take hours to build (never mind making all the snow-balls). No-body worried back then that a snow-ball to the eye might hurt you. We all got whacked a couple times but seemed to survive. This is a great winter, something that has not occured in over a decade. I can't believe I'm writing about great memories 40 years ago...!!!
Talking of forts, this from the Economist: Gates surprises lawmakers with plan to cut $78 billion from defense budget
By Erik Wasson 01/06/11 12:24 PM ET
Defense Secretary Robert Gates Thursday told Congress the administration is seeking $78 billion in cuts to the Defense budget over the next five years on top of $100 billion in efficiencies. Not bad. $15 billion per year is about 75% as much as the government could save by eliminating earmarks entirely. Mr Gates is continuing his remarkable record as an elder statesman at Defence with the dedication, long-term strategic vision and political independence needed to cut wasteful programmes and bring spending down to sustainable levels. It really is surprising to see.
The GOP leadership's reaction? Less surprising.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) said after the morning briefing that he was deeply concerned about the surprising depth of the spending cuts. McKeon said he had gone into the meeting expecting to oppose the plan to trim $100 billion in waste when Gates announced the additional $78 billion in reductions.“We are fighting two wars, you have China, you have Iran: Is this the time to be making these types of cuts?” McKeon said.
Sad, really--why do you fight cuts when the Secretary says they represent "waste?"
Ed--any chance you can talk to Mr. McKeon on this? I assume he's some relation....
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YAY !
ReplyDeleteI remember as a kid 40 years ago every winter we would dig snow caves in South Windsor, and although we were all friends we would take "sides" and have temporary snow-ball "fights" with the kids across the street, with snow-forts that we would take hours to build (never mind making all the snow-balls). No-body worried back then that a snow-ball to the eye might hurt you. We all got whacked a couple times but seemed to survive. This is a great winter, something that has not occured in over a decade. I can't believe I'm writing about great memories 40 years ago...!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, that IS good.
ReplyDeleteTalking of forts, this from the Economist:
Gates surprises lawmakers with plan to cut $78 billion from defense budget
By Erik Wasson 01/06/11 12:24 PM ET
Defense Secretary Robert Gates Thursday told Congress the administration is seeking $78 billion in cuts to the Defense budget over the next five years on top of $100 billion in efficiencies.
Not bad. $15 billion per year is about 75% as much as the government could save by eliminating earmarks entirely. Mr Gates is continuing his remarkable record as an elder statesman at Defence with the dedication, long-term strategic vision and political independence needed to cut wasteful programmes and bring spending down to sustainable levels. It really is surprising to see.
The GOP leadership's reaction? Less surprising.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) said after the morning briefing that he was deeply concerned about the surprising depth of the spending cuts. McKeon said he had gone into the meeting expecting to oppose the plan to trim $100 billion in waste when Gates announced the additional $78 billion in reductions.“We are fighting two wars, you have China, you have Iran: Is this the time to be making these types of cuts?” McKeon said.
Sad, really--why do you fight cuts when the Secretary says they represent "waste?"
Ed--any chance you can talk to Mr. McKeon on this? I assume he's some relation....