Ted Kennedy talking to the Senate - 2:29 p.m.- C-Span 2

[LittleApple81]

http://www.c-span.org/watch/cspan2_rm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS2


Just started

[LittleApple81]

1. kick

[LittleApple81]

2. The platitudes are an insult to our troops and an insult to our country!

Bremer when asked what was the plan: I will inform you but I want to keep my hands free as to how I do that.
This was a budget but no plan.
Nothing submitted so far.

[LittleApple81]

4. Security situation in Iraq?

The Rand study: historically how those individuals that are subject of occupation view the occupiers: one powerful factor and force is the issue of security. No only in the streets and highways between communities but what happens in Baghdad every day and every night: feeling of insecurity. No plans to deal with this.

Training police who don't want to leave the barracks because they are afraid of what will happen to them or their families.

[Cheswick2.0]

3. saying they are making the Iraq plan up everyday

"people view occupiers as good or bad depending on security"

Rapes murders coming into hospitals, that is what people in Iraq will use to judge us. Iraqi troops who have been trained will not leave the barracks for fear of being killed.

[LittleApple81]

6. overall strategy: top down not bottom up.

Stake-holders feedback mostly because the action of the armed forces who had experience in Kosovo and other places.
Number of questions:
1. Who gets the contracting? circumstances of contracts? transparency? no bid contracts to people that are usually overcharging the defense department? Excluding whom from contracts?

[karlschneider]

5. What's going on? Just turned it on, is it a speech to the Senate, or

a hearing of some sort?......

[LittleApple81]

7. Senate discussing the 87B for Iraq

[karlschneider]

11. Okay I see now...someone posted another thread saying he was

ripping Bremer and I wondered if LPB was there...thanks

[LittleApple81]

8. Greatest threat to US is terrorism.

North Korea, Iran, violence in the middle east.
Troops deserve a plan that brings the international community for the future of Iraq.
The 87B cannot be a blind check.
Administration must be held accountable. How are we spending the money.
Administration must tell the country what it intends to do with the 87B.
Do they have a plausible plan for the future.
Soldiers' lives are a stake.

[LittleApple81]

9. The administration mis-estimated the costs of the war.

People who are making these recommendations now are the same that made the mistakes before.

[LittleApple81]

10. Independent estimate was judged to be close 300b before

and Rumsfeld said baloney.
Now Bremer when asked if he will come back for money, he said "don't count us out."
So, Ted says, WHERE IS THE PLAN!

[LittleApple81]

12. At a minimum we need better justification.

Nixon: trust but verify.
Americans have a right to be furious when they realize the true costs.
NO PLAN FOR PEACE.
$50,000 dollars a bed in prison.
$530,000 to train ONE OFFICER.
1.4 B to reimburse nations helping nations who are helping us.

[LittleApple81]

14. I give up trying to keep up. See you later. n/t

[karlschneider]

13. Half a million bucks to "train" each policeman. Yow.