Contentious Hill Grills Rumsfeld on Iraq

[kskiska]

Democrats Voice Concern Over Policy as Republicans Point to Postwar Progress

A Senate hearing yesterday with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld turned into a grueling clash lasting nearly six hours as Democrats voiced growing concern about the course of U.S. policy in Iraq and Republicans sought to underscore the postwar progress so far.

(snip)

Rumsfeld insisted the spending request was affordable and a necessary investment in international security. He said the administration has a detailed plan for Iraq's recovery but described it as "complicated" and "not readily absorbable or communicated through the television in a sound bite or a bumper sticker." If he had to sum it up, Rumsfeld said, it would be to transfer responsibility of Iraq to the Iraqi people.

(snip)

In an especially bristling exchange, Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, the committee's senior Democrat, ripped into the administration's attempt -- reiterated by Rumsfeld yesterday -- to liken the Iraqi campaign with the Marshall Plan that rebuilt Europe after World War II. In contrast to the months-long national debate that preceded the Marshall Plan, Byrd said, the administration is trying to rush through the supplemental request for Iraq.

"The Marshall Plan was not presented to Congress for its rubber-stamp approval," he said.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60843-2003Sep24.html

[BiggJawn]

1. "Investment"..I wanna PUKE!

When you "invest" in something, don't you usually get something BACk for your investment?

Who, besides the Bush Family Crime Syndicate, is going to get any kind of "return" on the taxpayer's "investment"?

And make that FUTURE Taxpayers, because this country is so damn far in the hole right now, Rumsferatu is talking about spending the class of 2120's tax money...

And it was disgusting to watch that smarmy bastard trying to bullshit Byrd. Byrd may be old and not as quick with the tongue as you, Skeletor, but don't make the mistake of thinking that he's stupid...

AND....I thought Rumsferatu was German. Why do I get the feeling that if you cut off his hands, you'd silence him?

[young_at_heart]

2. How dare he compare it to the Marshall Plan!

In no way can the Iraq fiasco be compared with WWII. They absolutely cannot allow him to get away with this....go Byrd!

[rocktivity]

3. Just be grateful that you weren't asked about this, Rummy

rocknation