Bush to Seek $2.87B in Mideast Aid

[Scurrilous]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=736&e=10&u=/ap/20050203/ap_on_re_mi_ea/us_mideast

<snip>

"President Bush is asking Congress for $2.52 billion in military and economic aid for Israel and $350 million to help the Palestinian economy and security forces.

The request for Israel maintains that country's position as the largest recipient of U.S. aid, according to diplomatic sources. There would be a slight reduction, however, of about $60 million from the previous sum."

<snip>

"Already due to receive $75 million this fiscal year, the Palestinians would get an additional $200 million by Sept. 30, and $150 million for the bookkeeping year that begins then.
A request of $75 million for next year had been expected, but the president is doubling that amount, said Edward Abington, a former U.S. diplomat who is consultant to the Palestinians."

<snip>

"Israel, meanwhile, has agreed to a reduction in U.S. economic assistance to $240 million from $360 million, while U.S. military aid is increased to $2.28 billion from $2.22 billion, said the diplomatic sources, who discussed the situation only on grounds of anonymity."

[Smirking_Chimp]

1. Enough already!

Let's hold the * family responsible for this debt. We can't afford this administration any longer. I do not approve of any of this spending, and by the time we get this bill, it will be quadruple the total, at least.

[LiberalVoice]

2. Why of all countries would Israel be the number one receiver of aid?

I'd love to hear from some pro-Israel "liberals".

[Cha]

3. How about some "aid" for our

own Fucking Country?

[amandabeech]

5. Upwards of $2 billion would go a long way towards fixing Social Security.

n/t

[MasonJar]

4. Or how about keeping our promise to Africa to give them money

to fight Aids? Or sending troops to stop the killing in Darfur? If you do not know how important the latter is, go see Hotel Rwanda.

[MichiganVote]

6. As I've said, Americans earn $5 an hour and this is what they get

No money for the kids in American schools

Reduction in money to states

Reducation to cities through grants and other funding

Reduction in Medicare

Reduction in Veteran's benefits

Reducation in funding for the Arts

Reduction in funding for the environment / National Parks

Reduction in benefits for federal and state workers

No health insurance

No or severely limited pensions

Illegal payments to journalists for propaganda

Proposed elimination of Social Security (no matter what you call it or what it is supposed to do, Republicans are keeping the name only)

Absolutely no reduction in pay/benefits for Politicians

Are you getting more of what you don't want in the USA or less of what you do want?

[snippy]

7. "Israel, meanwhile, has agreed to a reduction in U.S. economic assistance"

WTF? I support supporting Israel, but something is wrong when the recipient of our aid has to give us permission to reduce it by a very slight amount.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

8. 7:1

:shrug: