Boomers, did your little neck hairs stand up on end when you heard Obama say this?

[EFerrari]

Obama targets waste in contract process

By Mark Silva | Tribune Washington Bureau
March 5, 2009

Taking particular aim at overruns in defense spending, President Barack Obama pledged yesterday to save up to $40 billion a year by reforming federal purchasing.

The White House is backing legislation by Sens. John McCain, an Arizona Republican, and Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat, to reform defense spending. But the president also has ordered his own budget office to develop new rules by this fall on the way everyone in government does business.

"This problem cuts across the government," Obama said at the White House in signing a memo ordering a government-wide review of contracting. Pointing to problems in defense spending, he said: "The days of giving defense contractors a blank check are over."

~ snip ~

Speaking about defense, he cited a Government Accountability Office report last year on 95 major projects that disclosed cost overruns totaling $295 billion. The president blamed overruns on investments in unproven technologies, lack of oversight and "indefensible no-bid contracts that have cost American taxpayers billions of dollars."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/politics/bal-te.contracts05mar05,0,4614303.story?track=rss

[ellenfl]

1. m-m-m-m, no. should they have? eom

[babylonsister]

2. Did a smile spread across my face? Yes! nt

[EFerrari]

6. Few would be happier about it than me but it made me instantly

be afraid for him.

Maybe it's just my Boomer PTSD, even if I'm the younger side of the boomer thing.

[babylonsister]

8. Fear never entered into my thoughts, only 'hallelujah!'

Love,
a younger boomer, too. ;)

[Ishoutandscream2]

11. Okay, now I understand. That does make me worried

Our president could be taking on forces that are beyond even his control.

[EFerrari]

14. I was just wondering if anyone had the same reaction.

I've said more than once that I get anxious when Obama is in a crowd and spend more time looking for his SS guys than I do looking at him. Maybe it's stupid but, it's a hard sell to myself.

[truedelphi]

40. I confess the same behavior here.

I criticize the Big Dude a lot, but I dearly love him.

And no matter how many things I feel he doesn't yet "get," I am fairly certain, like one of my close friends keeps saying, that if McCain had stolen it, we'd be nuking Iran about now. And we'd have all the other problems as well.

[WhiteTara]

41. instead of fear, maybe

you take that energy and "see" him safe. An excellent meditation/visualization would be to see him enclosed in a protective blue egg. See the blue rays of the light emanating from the egg act a strong electro magnetic force that keeps him safe. That might be less anxiety provoking that fearing for his life.

As the Hindu say...(Prana) Energy follows thought.

[peacetalksforall]

45. Thank you. I will.

[omega minimo]

53. Yes, let's send this President those protection vibes for "(Prana) Energy follows thought."

:applause:

[pacalo]

42. I keep telling myself that if anything happened, it would really throw this country over the edge.

National outrage would have reached its highest ebb at that point.

[Arkana]

48. If there is one thing I don't worry about with Obama it's his detail.

The guy has agents on him at all times--I wouldn't be surprised if he had a five-man detail when he takes a shit. That's how well he's protected.

It's those big outdoor public events that scare the bejeezus out of me.

[pleah]

35. Yes, I felt the same way when I read this.

These people won't like being cut off the gravy train.

[madokie]

59. Something to that effect is what I said to my better half

Honey, I worry for our President I began, as I showed her the words he said.

[tabatha]

3. Even John McCain agrees with that.

[EFerrari]

20. John McCain agrees with a lot of things he doesn't do and will never

have to take on. He's an ass.

[Sebastian Doyle]

4. I'm not a "boomer" but it's about goddamn time

For all the reich wing likes to bitch about "welfare queens" and "pork", it's the "defense" contractors who have been truly guilty of ripping off the taxpayers more than anyone. Before Chimpy and the known Halliburton/KBR abuses, the most obvious (but certainly not the worst) examples of this were the reported purchases of $400 screwdrivers, $600 toilet seats and that sort of thing.

[peacetalksforall]

46. And never forget the KBR embroidered towels at $40.00 each.

[peacetalksforall]

5. Did the hairs stand up and clap and shout bravo? Are we missing something.

[EFerrari]

9. Presidents who have tried this have met a lot of push back, to say the least.

I won't try to rationalize it because it wasn't rational on my part. I felt frightened as soon as he started talking so directly about defense contracts.

People have gotten their careers ruined over this issue and worse. It's not something anyone in public life talks about lightly.

[Myrina]

12. I see where you're going ... 11/22/63 ...

:hide: ... and I tend to agree with your fear.

[EFerrari]

16. And even more than that. If you run down the list of people

who have been vocal about controlling military spending and influence, for that matter, they have had problems.

[damntexdem]

30. Obama has to worry because he's the first African American president, ...

because he wants to end tax breaks for the richest, because he wants health reform, and so on. So this is but one more thing to add to the list. He cannot pull back because of fear; nor should the rest of us.

[Myrina]

31. I agree with you completely, but that doesn't make their opposition

... any less dangerous to him and those around him trying to bring the social change we've needed for over 40 years ...

:hi:

[peacetalksforall]

44. OK. I see. Personal risk - because of their greed..

[hvn_nbr_2]

7. What does this have to do with boomers? nt

[EFerrari]

13. Assassinations, for one thing. The three guys who fought hardest

to demilitarize our country were all killed when we were kids.

I'm not meaning to wish anything or to borrow trouble. But, that is the modern history of our leaders who tried to reform military spending.

[omega minimo]

17. IMHO

it seems that the global/corporate/gubmint/media/military/industrial/complex is complete.

President Obama (nice ring to that!) will do as much as he is willing, able and allowed to do.

No offense to the man, but he is in the club now.

[EFerrari]

19. I think that's right -- LBJ's earthy analogy of the tent.

lol

The corruption in our government is so profound, that's the only way to hold that office. Even so.

[omega minimo]

22. your OP point well taken

I and my neck hairs feel ya loud and clear.

he may be safer in the club.

the number of important topics we can't discuss, the successful erasure of history and common cause from so many "enthusiastic" youth......

that's the real assassination now.

Orwell was right.

Some pigs are more equal than others.

[Wednesdays]

51. Isn't there a quote that goes something like

"If you ride the tiger, you can steer it."

(I may be misquoting, but the idea is Obama may be of more use as an insider rather than fight the beast as an outsider.)

[omega minimo]

54. Dunno

about the quote. Obama seems to have known what he was getting into, or he wouldn't have got there. He's been very careful not to really challenge the status quo directly since before he announced his run.

[hvn_nbr_2]

33. Oh, okay. I understand.

I didn't make the connection immediately because I think of it (the assassination issue) as broader than just military spending and includes a significant ideological aspect too. I've suspected that that is why Obama wanted someone (Panetta) from outside the CIA in charge of the shop. It makes it harder to coordinate plans when they have to work behind the Director's back.

[RufusTFirefly]

39. Right. And as with Dr. King, the lone nut explanation would be all too believable

There are a lot of sick f*@k racists out there who could provide a convenient cover story.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

10. .

Re: "The president blamed overruns on investments in unproven technologies, lack of oversight and "indefensible no-bid contracts that have cost American taxpayers billions of dollars."

If President Obama admits to knowing about these treasonous "indefensible" crimes, I sure hope we hold President Obama accountable to hold Bushco accountable.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

15. I'd be even happier if he'd launch an investigation into how

the Pentagon had managed to "lose" $2.3 trillion, as announced by none other than Donald Rumsfeld the day before 9/11.

[EFerrari]

18. Agreed. We're basically an ATM for the Defense Industry.

And so, that much more dangerous for anyone who takes on that system. :shrug:

I guess I just wish he'd continue to be as careful as he normally is when dealing with "sensitive" matters. I'm probably not saying this very well.

Whoever takes on the defense industry in this country better know exactly what they're doing and they better have their troops in place. :shrug:

[Irishonly]

21. This boomer was thrilled

[EFerrari]

23. Sure. But the last time a president said such a thing without consequence

my mother was grumbling about golfing.

[hvn_nbr_2]

36. Your mom griped about Ike spending too much time golfing too?

I believe he made the "military-industrial complex" speech shortly before leaving office so he didn't really threaten them and they didn't have time to do anything about it.

[Irishonly]

56. Grin

I just had a flashback. Not a thing to do with politics but... My uncle wanted to teach my cousin and I how to gold. We were terrible but we were having a great time. The next day he presented us with tennis rackets. I sucked at tennis too.:silly:

[leftofthedial]

24. Don't go to Dallas, Mr. Obama.

Stay out of convertibles.

[EFerrari]

25. We think we're not Guatemala and that forces in our government

will not push back or take action. Despite all evidence to the contrary.

We cannot expect Obama to clean up defense spending, especially defense spending, without layers and layers and layers of security and support.

Because in that area, we are Guatemala. :shrug:

[hootinholler]

26. Nope...

Now if he talks about dismantling the CIA, then is the time to worry.

Whoever does that trick will have to have the element of surprise.

-Hoot

[EFerrari]

29. I don't think any of this was ever limited to CIA. n/t

[hootinholler]

57. Oh it wasn't limited to the CIA, but It couldn't have happened without the CIA either. n/t

[damntexdem]

27. No, but possibly my nose hairs.

In relief at the prospect of not having to smell the noxious fumes of cost overruns, sweetheart contracts, and other boons extended to defense contractors at horrible cost to the rest of us.

[EFerrari]

28. That goes without saying and wasn't really my question.

But, thanks for the reality check. :)

[Mnemosyne]

32. KnR from another younger boomer. Chills always. n/t

[pleah]

34. K&R#5

:)

[Gregorian]

37. I feel a sense of relief.

I instantly also did think of mean military republican hitmen. But then I also think that we are now passing the mark in humanity's end of warring. I mean petroleum powered warring. It's not something we can sustain nor afford. So in a way I didn't worry too much about his safety.

But then we know just how infantile a group we're dealing with. Just about anything goes.

Let's keep hope alive.

[Cha]

38. A super postive way

to save money.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

43. Will they turn a blind eye to the new KBR contract?

Or will they void it and make sure it never happens again?

A hell of a lot rides on this. It's time to see which wills out- truth or hypocrisy.

I'm a born again cynic so I'll gladly hold the bets...

[tavalon]

47. Yep, taking on the Military Industrial Complex is dangerous business

Presidents have died for such things.

[peacetalksforall]

49. Our country has led regime changes in many countries. They have orchestrated coups, They have

out right directed the coups. With pretension to make it look like uprisings were from their people. Many people were massacred and disappeared. We paid those men who were willing to be bought off handsomely. A certain number of years of tax we contribute goes for killing and take overs. We now know that without hesitation. Gentle man Aristede was the most blatant of the coups because we didn't even try to hide behind anything. The IMF and World Bank were put in charge and there is only one way to interpret their reason. Earth resources and geographical location and because they could. Life under the IMF and World Bank and their henchmen has been hell for the people.

We know from leaks and heroes how it works. They have given testimony and written books. If they can overthrow by murder leaders of other countries, they can do it to ours and they have. But, never has the knowledge of what the clues all point to been as obvious to us. We only had very polite news on tv for decades, now we have entertainment news - car chases, celebrities, plus right wing propaganda and blame laundering. But, we now have alternative sources and many brave souls who want what we want - our country - back.

There is a breeze blowing - it is not that easy to get away with their crimes anymore - the takedown of Brewster-Jennings, planted military stories, the invasion of a neighbor country for the target of revenge and the despicable death of Hussein, our most famous 757 into the Pentagon spectacle and other same day events and the propaganda and lack of bringing it all to trial. Only through arrogance and a certain fear, did the criminals get away so far. More people are becoming wise, though worried. Fear was a a main goal. They played it well.

We must worry. We must hesitate, but we must go forward. Arrogance of death and theft and torture just can't continue. First it must stop. Then it must be accounted for so the very criminals who have been there since the JFK murder are stopped.

This means wrenching away our country from those who have nearly stolen it because they feel they should own it, plus the world - because there is never enough power and money to satisfy them.

We've been used. Horribly used, abused, and laughed at.

What has to be reversed is what we're talking about.

We must hope that he will be the one, as we may never get another chance.

Those who can't see it are the ones who

[Raine]

50. I'm always scared for Obama

I'll be scared for him till the day he leaves office. :yoiks:

[ProgressIn2008]

52. No. He's safe and comfortable. Now, the uninsured sick... they're in deep danger. nt

[GeorgeGist]

55. 40% of the 'on the books' defense budget - $260billion - is wasted on profit.

Obama's hope in capitalism is not audacious; it's foolish.

edit of title to include defense

[Octafish]

58. How the U.S. Garrisons the Planet and Doesn't Even Notice

Are we a democracy or an empire?

Going on an Imperial Bender

How the U.S. Garrisons the Planet and Doesn't Even Notice

by Tom Engelhardt
Published on Thursday, September 4, 2008 by TomDispatch.com

Here it is, as simply as I can put it: In the course of any year, there must be relatively few countries on this planet on which U.S. soldiers do not set foot, whether with guns blazing, humanitarian aid in hand, or just for a friendly visit. In startling numbers of countries, our soldiers not only arrive, but stay interminably, if not indefinitely. Sometimes they live on military bases built to the tune of billions of dollars that amount to sizeable American towns (with accompanying amenities), sometimes on stripped down forward operating bases that may not even have showers. When those troops don't stay, often American equipment does -- carefully stored for further use at tiny "cooperative security locations," known informally as "lily pads" (from which U.S. troops, like so many frogs, could assumedly leap quickly into a region in crisis).

At the height of the Roman Empire, the Romans had an estimated 37 major military bases <1> scattered around their dominions. At the height of the British Empire, the British had 36 of them planetwide. Depending on just who you listen to and how you count, we have hundreds of bases. According to Pentagon records, in fact, there are 761 <2> active military "sites" abroad.

The fact is: We garrison the planet north to south, east to west, and even on the seven seas, thanks to our various fleets and our massive aircraft carriers which, with 5,000-6,000 personnel aboard -- that is, the population of an American town -- are functionally floating bases.

And here's the other half of that simple truth: We don't care to know about it. We, the American people, aided and abetted by our politicians, the Pentagon, and the mainstream media, are knee-deep in base denial.

Now, that's the gist of it. If, like most Americans, that's more than you care to know, stop here.

Where the Sun Never Sets

Let's face it, we're on an imperial bender and it's been a long, long night. Even now, in the wee hours, the Pentagon continues <3> its massive expansion of recent years; we spend militarily as if there were no tomorrow; we're still building bases as if the world were our oyster; and we're still in denial. Someone should phone the imperial equivalent of Alcoholics Anonymous.
But let's start in a sunnier time, less than two decades ago, when it seemed that there would be many tomorrows, all painted red, white, and blue. Remember the 1990s when the U.S. was hailed -- or perhaps more accurately, Washington hailed itself -- not just as the planet's "sole superpower" or even its unique "hyperpower," but as its "global policeman," the only cop on the block? As it happened, our leaders took that label seriously and our central police headquarters, that famed five-sided building in Washington D.C, promptly began dropping police stations -- aka military bases -- in or near the oil heartlands of the planet (Kosovo, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait) after successful wars in the former Yugoslavia and the Persian Gulf.

As those bases multiplied, it seemed that we were embarking on a new, post-Soviet version of "containment." With the USSR gone, however, what we were containing grew a lot vaguer and, before 9/11, no one spoke its name. Nonetheless, it was, in essence, Muslims who happened to live on so many of the key oil lands of the planet.

SNIP...

There are 194 countries <10> on the planet (more or less), and officially 39 of them have American "facilities," large and/or small. But those are only the bases the Pentagon officially acknowledges. Others simply aren't counted <2>, either because, as in the case of Jordan, a country finds it politically preferable not to acknowledge such bases; because, as in the case of Pakistan, the American military shares bases that are officially Pakistani; or because bases in war zones, no matter how elaborate, somehow don't count. In other words, that 39 figure doesn't even include Iraq or Afghanistan. By 2005, according to the Washington Post, there were 106 American bases in Iraq, ranging from tiny outposts to mega-bases like Balad Air Base and the ill-named Camp Victory that house tens of thousands of troops, private contractors, Defense Department civilians, have bus routes, traffic lights, PXes, big name fast-food restaurants, and so on.

Some of these bases are, in effect, "American towns" on foreign soil. In Afghanistan, Bagram Air Base, previously used by the Soviets in their occupation of the country, is the largest and best known. There are, however, many more, large and small, including Kandahar Air Base, located in what was once the unofficial capital of the Taliban, which even has a full-scale hockey rink <11> (evidently for its Canadian contingent of troops).

SNIP...

The Foreshortened American Century

In a nutshell, occupying the planet, base by base, normally simply isn't news. Americans may pay no attention and yet, of course, they do pay. It turns out to be a staggeringly expensive process for U.S. taxpayers. Writing of a major 2004 Pentagon global base overhaul (largely aimed at relocating many of them closer to the oil heartlands of the planet), Mike Mechanic of Mother Jones magazine online points out <26> the following: "An expert panel convened by Congress to assess the overseas basing realignment put the cost at $20 billion, counting indirect expenses overlooked by the Pentagon, which had initially budgeted one-fifth that amount."

CONTINUED...

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2008/09/04-2

DEF spending is the single most important question regarding the nation's future.
What Obama does -- and can do -- will greatly determine our grandchildren's future.