(Colorado) Springs bases spared — for the moment — from proposed defense cuts

[unhappycamper]

Springs bases spared — for the moment — from proposed defense cuts
TOM ROEDER
THE GAZETTE
January 06, 2011 5:06 PM

Colorado Springs bases would see little immediate impact from Pentagon plan released Thursday to cut $78 billion in defense spending over five years, but could see troop cuts in the future.

In the short term, the proposal issued by Defense Secretary Robert Gates would have no impact, leaving local bases and programs intact. After 2015, bases here could see cuts in the number of troops they house under planned post-war downsizing.

“At the outset, I want to emphasize that while America is at war and confronts a range of future security threats, it is important to not repeat the mistakes of the past by making drastic and ill-conceived cuts to the overall defense budget,” Gates said in a speech. “At the same time, it is imperative for this department to eliminate wasteful, excessive and unneeded spending.”

The Gates proposal will first be considered by the Republican controlled House of Representatives, where one local member immediately slammed the cutting plan.

“We’re going to go around and around on this,” said Colorado Springs Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, which controls the defense budget. “This would decimate national security.”


unhappycamper comment: D'oh. From http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?CID=N00028133 :

Top 5 Contributors, 2009-2010, Campaign Cmte
Contributor Total Indivs PACs
Honeywell International $10,000 $0 $10,000
National Auto Dealers Assn $10,000 $0 $10,000
Raytheon Co $10,000 $0 $10,000
Bogosian & Co $9,600 $9,600 $0
Northrop Grumman $8,000 $0 $8,000


Top 5 Industries, 2009-2010, Campaign Cmte
Industry Total Indivs PACs
Defense Aerospace $34,250 $0 $34,250
Oil & Gas $31,500 $1,000 $30,500
Defense Electronics $27,300 $0 $27,300
Mining $17,500 $0 $17,500
Real Estate $16,833 $9,333 $7,500

[MrModerate]

1. Any chance this palooka knows that "decimate" means "reduce by a tenth?"

Which -- since we've removed the vast majority of our troops from Iraq (Afghan redeployment notwithstanding) -- makes perfect sense. I mean, once you stop fighting a war, wouldn't you expect to shrink the size of your military?

I'd also point out that military bases in the middle of godsville have been spared the axe in early rounds of cutting. Why is that?

[ladjf]

2. Get the Hell out of Afghanistan and Iraq immediately and save

billions and lives. nt