Comments on: GOP, Gates Join Budget Battle

By: ChuckL

ChuckL — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:01:36 +0000

bobbymike, You are so correct. The ONLY duty given to the congress by the Constitution is the defense of the country. Everything else that congress does is “allowed” or in violation of the Tenth Amendment.

By: ChuckL

ChuckL — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:59:10 +0000

Jintaitai, I agree that preconceptions are a bad thing to rely upon when determining the defense needs of the country. This does bring up the question of countering the 220 Sukhoi SU-30 MKI aircraft that India is buying from or comanufacturering with Russia. This doesn’t include the Russian SU-30s or those sold to other countries, including countries in South America.

By: Bill

Bill — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:30:57 +0000

It!a too bad Mr. Gates was’t a german back in the 1940s , he would have been a great Nazi bully!

By: Tony Conner

Tony Conner — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:37:59 +0000

The SecDef has a new set of marching orders from the new president, cut the DOD budget.
The SecDef has done just that, to the ire of many in Congress. The bottom line is that Congress has the power to approve or ammend the budget. The Congress can and has in the past funded weapon systems the DOD wanted to cancel.
Now it is up to the House and Senate to iron out what they want to do.

By: bobbymike

bobbymike — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:11:09 +0000

I am not talking about any of the current posters to this story but everyone should take the time to understand the role of the legislative branch in overseeing the decisions of the executive.

Congressmen and Senators are obligated to question and be concerned with the direction of the DOD. There is no more important role than providing for the common defense. Readers of DOD Buzz should not assume that either the Sec Def or any politician knows what the future holds. Gates could be right or could be 100% wrong putting the nation at grave risk by his decisions.

By: 1fredt

1fredt — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:07:30 +0000

I firmly believe Congressman John McHugh is correct and justified in his request for ‘analysis and data’; Gates is not willing to provide it — have to have it, can’t make decision without it. So why not provide it?
I worked in DOD many years and have seen programs falter and some fail where a decision was allowed on the statement, “You have my word on it.” This decision is not for a few programs but the whole of DOD.

By: Jintaitai

Jintaitai — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:51:13 +0000

Did the congressman question Gates during the previous admin? Gates is an intelligent man and he is working hard to get things right. There is nothing wrong with questioning, there is something wrong with questioning with preconceptions.

By: Do the right thing

Do the right thing — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:39:00 +0000

Ah, jeese, I can’t decide now if I want Gates to run the Pentagon or this congressman who seems to think he should be in charge. He is popular with the Dairy Farmers of America so that is something to consider in his favor.

By: DensityDuck

DensityDuck — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:59:03 +0000

“The only reason Congress was informed about the executive agency’s [budget] deliberations in the past was because the building leaks like a sieve. Congress had a hotline to every office…”

Ahem. The military is subject to civilian oversight. Of course the building “leaks like a sieve”. That’s the whole damn POINT.

By: Aurora

Aurora — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:18:52 +0000

Agree with John the civil. This is very good stuff. Rather early in the process for Dr. Gates to be playing the “I’ll resign” card, though.

By: John the civi

John the civi — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:16:25 +0000

Currently watching on the pentagonchannel. This stuff is a riot…I have to find the trnscript!

By: John the civi

John the civi — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:55:33 +0000

Good stuff…I’m going to get some pop corn and tune in for the rest on the pentagonchannel.