Saturday, April 15, 2006
Are We Spending Enough for Training in Iraq?
Sorry for the lack of updates, dear reader. I'm taking four classes this term at school, which means lots of homework and little time for anything else.
First up: Adam Kontras has created a sick and twisted animation about the Bush administration's desire (undoubtedly) to bomb Iran. Thumbs up from me. There are other cartoons at the site as well. Check them out if you get the chance.
I wanted to comment on a news item from a few days ago. According to the Associated Press (via MSNBC), the U.S. has only spent 40% of the $7 billion appropriated in 2005 to train security forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
From MSNBC:
"The slow pace of spending was outlined in a congressional report that also raised questions about whether the Pentagon needs the full $5.9 billion it has requested for training this year in an emergency spending bill that is pending in Congress.
The report comes as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the Bush administration have complained about cuts in the funding for Iraqi forces that is included in the House-passed version of the bill."
So, one one hand, we have Rummy and the Bush administration complaining about cuts in funding for Iraqi security forces, and on the other hand, a report saying we're not spending enough money on training. Who's right? Well, I'd put my money on the congressional report over anything Bush, Cheney and Rummy have to say on the issue.
Our goal in Iraq is to train 195,000 police and 130,000 military. We've only trained 135,000 police and 115,000 military forces. What the hell is taking so long? I've said it many times here, in the United States we can train someone for combat or duty as a police officer in a matter of months. After three years in Iraq, shouldn't we have already trained those security personnel? I don't get it.
Anyway, to my regular readers, I will try to update the site more frequently. Since I'm taking Political Science 202 I should have plenty to talk about, I hope. Thanks for your patience.
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Sorry for the lack of updates, dear reader. I'm taking four classes this term at school, which means lots of homework and little time for anything else.
First up: Adam Kontras has created a sick and twisted animation about the Bush administration's desire (undoubtedly) to bomb Iran. Thumbs up from me. There are other cartoons at the site as well. Check them out if you get the chance.
I wanted to comment on a news item from a few days ago. According to the Associated Press (via MSNBC), the U.S. has only spent 40% of the $7 billion appropriated in 2005 to train security forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
From MSNBC:
"The slow pace of spending was outlined in a congressional report that also raised questions about whether the Pentagon needs the full $5.9 billion it has requested for training this year in an emergency spending bill that is pending in Congress.
The report comes as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the Bush administration have complained about cuts in the funding for Iraqi forces that is included in the House-passed version of the bill."
So, one one hand, we have Rummy and the Bush administration complaining about cuts in funding for Iraqi security forces, and on the other hand, a report saying we're not spending enough money on training. Who's right? Well, I'd put my money on the congressional report over anything Bush, Cheney and Rummy have to say on the issue.
Our goal in Iraq is to train 195,000 police and 130,000 military. We've only trained 135,000 police and 115,000 military forces. What the hell is taking so long? I've said it many times here, in the United States we can train someone for combat or duty as a police officer in a matter of months. After three years in Iraq, shouldn't we have already trained those security personnel? I don't get it.
Anyway, to my regular readers, I will try to update the site more frequently. Since I'm taking Political Science 202 I should have plenty to talk about, I hope. Thanks for your patience.
