Parsing Pentagon Logic

USA Today: Rumsfeld makes case for funding missile defense

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld acknowledged Thursday that installing a planned missile-defense system would not serve as a deterrent to nations considering such an attack on the United States unless the system works.

It's hard to keep my eyes open in the glare of Rummy's blinding brilliance.

Until now, Rumsfeld and senior military officers have argued that even if the system is not fully functioning, installing it while continuing to test would convince potential foes not to attempt a strike.

I guess he finally figured out it doesn't have to be deployed in order to make a financial killing on it, regardless of whether it ever works (it won't).

The Armed Services Committee also heard testimony from Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He said U.S. military officials in Iraq have determined that insurgents there can conduct up to 60 strikes a day nationwide, with occasional spikes above that.

Do you think they had to use SQL or just MS Excel to figure that out? Is that "can conduct" or are conducting?

Myers also repeated concerns that some Army Reserve units are not at desirable readiness because of equipment shortages that occur when units leave their gear in Iraq.

I PUT A SPELL ON YOU

Rummy's post-lunch news conference.
And whose fault is THAT? Nobody's, as usual in the Bush malAdministration.

The shortages, as well as other strains on the military, could compromise the Pentagon's ability to quickly respond to a major crisis elsewhere in the world, he said.

No fucking kidding? From the sounds of sshhhhhnnnnggggg and claaaanggggg of busy sabers, my guess is that the next "major crisis in the world" -- kinda like the present one -- will be of our own making. Was it Perle or Wolfowitz who remarked, no doubt with hands down their pants, "Real mean go to Tehran." I forget because warmongers all sound alike to me.

Sens. Jack Reed, D-R.I., a committee member, and Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., said they would introduce legislation to expand the Army by 30,000 troops and the Marines by 3,000. "We don't have the same flexibility and ability to respond to other crises," said Reed, a graduate of West Point.

And how many more crises do we have planned??? Can I see the daily updated list, please? And golly-gee whiz, WHERE ARE THOSE 33,000 TROOPS COMING FROM? I still haven't heard anyone in the GOP say the magic word: DRAFT ...but it sure is getting chilly, ain't it? Time to start hanging the balloons and streamers for that little party.

Hagel said the military's capability to deal with another major war has dropped to a point where troops deployed would be underequipped, undertrained and short on manpower. "When you are too thin, you put your troops in further peril," Hagel said. "You further jeopardize an already jeopardized force."

Well, Chuck, that makes since. But you know what really jeopardizes troops? Brace yourself for the answer: Illegal, immoral and unjustified war and occupation. For some strange reason, those troops you care so much about keep coming home in boxes. Maybe you can put it all together this weekend in between appearances with Tim Russert, Bob Shieffer, and anyone else with a camera.

Their proposal would increase the size of the Army to 532,400 and the Marines to 181,000.

There will NEVER be enough troops or weapons to wage perpetual war, and that's all King Bush is interested in besides looting every nickel in sight for Jenna and Barbara's trust funds.