by Benjamin J. Kirby
The politics of the United States Defense budget has always fascinated me. It's enormous almost beyond comprehension, but it is also kind of untouchable. After all, what national-level politician wants to appear weak on defense?
Well, Meteor Blades over at DailyKos has a must-read post on the ridiculousness of the Romney Defense plan.
... [the] Romney plan would pile an additional $2.1 trillion onto Pentagon spending over the next decade if the extra percentage of GDP were added gradually. If his plan were in place right now, it would add $100 billion to the 2013 budget, a boost of 20 percent to core Pentagon spending, and $2.3 trillion over 10 years.
Be sure to check out the graphic, too.
You know, I thought the Republican Party was in its fiscally conservative heyday.
Where's a tea party freak when you need one?
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Speaking of Romney, someone lightly tweaked me for my post late yesterday in which I said that the timing of the presidential remarks around gay marriage were not at all an accident precipitated by the Vice President's apparent gaffe. The proof, they way, was in the Vice President's apology to President Obama today.
Vice President Biden apologized to President Obama on Wednesday morning for saying he supported same-sex marriage before the administration had planned to, White House officials said.
Obama said he understood, saying he knew Biden had spoken from the heart, according to the officials.
Hey, boss. Sorry I said a thing you were going to say, anyway...?
Yeah, sure. You spoke from the heart.
What? No, come on. Come on. There will be a back story told here some day -- well into Obama's second term, I'm sure -- and it will have a great deal to do with backing Romney into a box, and the Washington Post padlocking it with the story which broke earlier about Romney assaulting a classmate when he was in high school.
That's right. Assault. Which, I shouldn't have to remind you, is a crime.
I literally dare you to defy me or the term. You don't hold a kid down because you think he's gay and then cut all his hair off with scissors and call it a "prank."
Back to Obama and Biden for a minute. Question for you: why did we read about the apology between these two men in the Post? The conversations between the President and Vice President are probably some of the most privileged in the world, maybe the most. Their details -- even their subject matter -- wouldn't be leaked to the media without a specific purpose in mind.
I think the specific purpose was that the President's comments on gay marriage played better than they even imagined -- they certainly did with respect to giving Romney and Republicans another bad day -- and this apology keeps it on the front burner just a bit longer.
And, not for nothing, it's starting to look like not only is Mitt Romney an out-of-touch, directionless, robot, but apparently he's pretty much a bad guy, too.
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And speaking of bad guys, I know you'll find this hard to believe, but the hospital grifter Governor's chief of staff -- gasp! -- bent the rules!
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If I had any musical talent whatsoever, I would play the guitar. Because it's cool as hell. And I would do everything in my power to play exactly like the late Duane Allman.
If I could sing -- even a little bit, even some, even just a touch -- it would be exactly like Paul Rodgers.
Laugh at me if you will. You never know, though. I may just take singing lessons and start up a band.
I'd invite you to our first concert, but because you laughed at me, I'm not so sure you're welcome, now.
Yeah, you just stay home. You're nothing but bad company.
Also, PS: what the hell is that before the video starts?
