Rice, Rumsfeld Press for War Funding ($91 billion )

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

By LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press Writer
20 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday urged quick passage of a $91 billion spending bill that includes money to continue the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying that despite a surge in sectarian violence in Iraq, the process of creating a stable government is proceeding satisfactorily.

Appearing with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Rice said most Iraqis are convinced that their hopes for a stable and secure nation will succeed despite the persistent insurgency.

"They still face a very determined enemy, an enemy that would like to see that political process halted so that Iraq might devolve into chaos and conflict," she said. Rice also criticized "a terrible human rights record" in Iran, urging the Congress to approve a proposed $75 million plan to increase U.S. cultural outreach to Iranian citizens. "We do not have a problem with the Iranian people," she said, adding that the problem is with the Iranian government and its nuclear ambitions.

Rumsfeld told the panel he was disappointed that the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday trimmed by $1 billion the Pentagon's request for $5.9 billion to continue training Iraqi and Afghan security forces.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060309/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. this pair are so evil.

91 billion.

"Oh no, 2-3 billion and we are finished, beside oil revenues will pay for reconstruction."

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. I wish they would just go away. What have they done for America

in six years that is constuctive? Nothing. They're all about profitting off of the chaos they create.

[BattyDem]

2. "$75 million plan to increase U.S. cultural outreach to Iranian citizens"

Outreach? Is that their new code word for "shock and awe" :eyes:

[BOSSHOG]

4. And the Governor of Louisiana is groveling for 2 billion which was

promised the state to help displaced Americans.

[rodeodance]

5. gee, they cut a billion.

...Rumsfeld told the panel he was disappointed that the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday trimmed by $1 billion the Pentagon's request for $5.9 billion to continue training Iraqi and Afghan security forces.

[redqueen]

6. They have no shame, do they?

Things are proceeding satisfactorily, according to Rice?

What, what was I thinking... of course they're not... but she has other masters, and no concern for anyone else.

[rodeodance]

7. protester to Rice"The blood is on your hands and you cannot wash it away".

....Rice's opening statement to the committee was interrupted by a man in the audience who stood and shouted, "How many of you have children in this illegal and immoral war? The blood is on your hands and you cannot wash it away." As he was escorted from the room by security officers the man also shouted, "Fire Rumsfeld."

The future of the $91 billion spending bill has been threatened by a move in the House to block a Dubai-owned company from taking control of some U.S. port operations.
President Bush has said he would veto the bill if such a proposal was included.

Also appearing at the hearing was Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Peter Pace. It was the first time those four leaders have appeared together in front of Congress since Rice joined the Cabinet in January 2005.

The emergency spending bill includes about $65 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as about $20 billion for Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. Additional money would go to the State Department and intelligence agencies for international operations and classified activities.

[rodeodance]

8. only 20 billion for Katrina is the same bill.

...The emergency spending bill includes about $65 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as about $20 billion for Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. Additional money would go to the State Department and intelligence agencies for international operations and classified activities.

[Just Me]

9. $91 BILLION DOLLARS?!?!?! FOR WHAT?!?!?! TO DO WHAT?!?!?!

What benefit TO OUR PEOPLE has been derived from the $200 BILLION already thrown at PNAC and their wars of aggression?

This is just a freakin' funnel of our national treasure to war profiteers!!! We are hated more than EVER. Our security is steadily growing more and more weak due to our provocation and inadequate funding for our borders. This is bullshit!!!

EW!!!

[gratuitous]

10. Sticker price for imperialism keeps going up

The Daily Show had a clip from before the war of some administration hack saying that their cost estimate for the whole magilla in Iraq was going to be $1.6 billion. Not a penny more.

Sure would be nice if Congress decided to exercise a little oversight instead of just writing more blank checks.

[Just Me]

13. Why not hold them to their word?

"Sorry, guys. You have broken your word and now this venture is over. Bring our troops home. We'll take it from here."

[pinto]

11. "Most Iraqis are convinced". How in Sam Hill does she know

that? The government operates from behind a walled compound, US officials operate from behind that same walled compound, journalists have little contact outside that walled compound...for her to blithely say she knows what most Iraqis believe is an arrogant sleight of hand. To say it to a Senate Committee is an insult. Aghh. Her canned revelations are infuriating.

[tatertop]

12. This country is controlled by monsters

And I don't think they plan on leaving any time soon.