In my previous post about the stoush between Congress and Bush over the supplemental appropriations bill, I wrote:
On April 15, the money for the Iraq War runs out, and then the troops would have to be withdrawn. It’s actually very high stakes poker.
Turns out the deadline Bush referred to is a phantasm. Think Progress reports:
Now we know who’s right. A new report from the Congressional Research Service makes clear that Bush’s deadline is completely fabricated:
In a memo to the Senate Budget Committee dated Wednesday, the congressional analysts said the Army has enough money in its existing budget to fund operations and maintenance through the end of May — about $52.6 billion. If additional transfer authority is tapped, subject to Congress approving a reprogramming request, the Army would have enough funds to make it through nearly two additional months, or toward the end of July. Using all of its transfer authority, the Army could have as much as $60.1 billion available. […]
Commenting on the report, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) said, “This study confirms that the President is once again attempting to mislead the public and create an artificial atmosphere of anxiety. He is using scare tactics to defeat bipartisan legislation that would change course in Iraq.�
WHAT? BUSH LIES!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT MORE REASON IS THERE TO LIVE!!!!!!!!!! MY WHOLE WORLD IS CRASHING DOWN FROM UNDER ME!!!
Oh well. I’ll survive.
Deputy Rodent says no Aust Gov influence in Hicks sentencing. Lucky us our leader never lies. But what I don’t get is how will he be able to claim influence in Hicks’ release and still claim no influence. Yeah I know you can fool most of the people most of the time. Ta Rummey or was that the 2ic?
Let me get this right. From now, April Fool’s Day, to the “end of May” there will be $52.6 billion (!!!) available to skirmish with the ethnics, provide franchise food from demountables and generally promote Shrub Demarcracy. That is some serious dollar input to “fight terrorism”. And only 8 week’s worth.
The forked-tongue palefaces could buy-off most of the hooligans and provide welfare for their families with a fraction of that money - with better results all round.
If you can’t pay you can’t play.