While clearly a boost for our soldiers, looks like the administration is hell-bent on moving forward producing tactical nukes, by lifting a ban on low-yield nuclear devices.
WashingtonPost.com
Bush Signs Defense Authorization Bill
President Bush signed a $401.3 billion defense authorization bill that raises pay for soldiers, lifts a ban on testing of low-yield nuclear devices and exempts military exercises and tests from laws designed to protect animals.
The pay raise averages 4.15 percent and extends increases in combat and family separation pay.
Later today, Bush has scheduled a visit to Fort Carson, Colo., home to four of the 16 soldiers killed Nov. 2 when a helicopter was shot down near Fallujah, Iraq. Fort Carson has sent 12,000 troops to Iraq.
"We're standing for order and hope and democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq," the president said as he signed the bill during a visit to the Pentagon. "We're standing up for the for security of all free nations and for the advance of freedom. The American people and your commander in chief are grateful," he said, "and we will support you in all your central missions."
The authorization covers programs in fiscal 2004, which began Oct. 1. Actual funds must be provided through separate appropriations.
The provision of the bill that sparked the most controversy involved the leasing of Boeing 767s as in-flight refueling tankers. The Pentagon initially wanted to lease one hundred of the planes. Congressional budget-writers accused the Defense Department of circumventing the budget process at an extra cost of $3.7 billion to tax payers and ultimately proposed leasing 20 and buying 80, the arrangement authorized today.
The authorization also:
? Modifies regulations preventing disabled veterans from receiving some retirement pay and disability benefits at the same time.
? Grants Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld greater authority over roughly 700,000 civilian employees. Pentagon officials said restrictions on hiring, firing and promoting employees forced them to use military personnel for jobs better suited for civilians. .
? Lifts a decade-old ban on research into low-yield nuclear weapons and authorizes $15 million for continued research into a powerful nuclear weapon capable of destroying deep underground bunkers.
? Exempts the military from the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Pentagon claimed environmental laws restrict training exercises; environmentalists said the laws have had little effect on training and that the exemptions go too far.
WashingtonPost.com
Bush Signs Defense Authorization Bill
President Bush signed a $401.3 billion defense authorization bill that raises pay for soldiers, lifts a ban on testing of low-yield nuclear devices and exempts military exercises and tests from laws designed to protect animals.
The pay raise averages 4.15 percent and extends increases in combat and family separation pay.
Later today, Bush has scheduled a visit to Fort Carson, Colo., home to four of the 16 soldiers killed Nov. 2 when a helicopter was shot down near Fallujah, Iraq. Fort Carson has sent 12,000 troops to Iraq.
"We're standing for order and hope and democracy in Afghanistan and Iraq," the president said as he signed the bill during a visit to the Pentagon. "We're standing up for the for security of all free nations and for the advance of freedom. The American people and your commander in chief are grateful," he said, "and we will support you in all your central missions."
The authorization covers programs in fiscal 2004, which began Oct. 1. Actual funds must be provided through separate appropriations.
The provision of the bill that sparked the most controversy involved the leasing of Boeing 767s as in-flight refueling tankers. The Pentagon initially wanted to lease one hundred of the planes. Congressional budget-writers accused the Defense Department of circumventing the budget process at an extra cost of $3.7 billion to tax payers and ultimately proposed leasing 20 and buying 80, the arrangement authorized today.
The authorization also:
? Modifies regulations preventing disabled veterans from receiving some retirement pay and disability benefits at the same time.
? Grants Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld greater authority over roughly 700,000 civilian employees. Pentagon officials said restrictions on hiring, firing and promoting employees forced them to use military personnel for jobs better suited for civilians. .
? Lifts a decade-old ban on research into low-yield nuclear weapons and authorizes $15 million for continued research into a powerful nuclear weapon capable of destroying deep underground bunkers.
? Exempts the military from the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Pentagon claimed environmental laws restrict training exercises; environmentalists said the laws have had little effect on training and that the exemptions go too far.
Anyway, back on topic: It's great that the military is getting more funds and all, but what about the tactical nukes? Anyone have an opinion on that?
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