Sequestration

[ORAC]

Forbes: It's Too Late To Stop Sequester: HASC Rep. Randy (http://defense.aol.com/2012/11/28/its-too-late-to-stop-sequester-hasc-rep-randy-forbes-exclusi/)

[JFZ90]

How might the scale of the likely cut backs affect JSF?

Despite the diversity among the seven teams, participants from both parties and all four armed services reached some unexpected points of consensus. CSBA has strongly criticized the troubled tri-service F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as too short-ranged for modern warfare, especially over the vast Pacific. In the exercise, "all teams cut F-35 procurement over the next 10 years," said co-author Mark Gunzinger. "One team cancelled the F-35 outright."

Clear and present danger to a variant one wonders....

Shall we return to cats & flaps? :E

[eaglemmoomin]

If they did cut numbers I expect it'll be the variant running last that has an alternative available, whose abscence doesn't break the doctrine of an entire branch of the US armed forces and get rid of a self escorting component for a fleet of 10 large 40,000+ vessels. It's has also so far failed to conclusively prove it can land on a carrier.

[Robert Cooper]

If Congress is unable to reach a budget deal by the end of the year, the impact of automatic spending cuts on Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter program would be "minimal," the company's chief financial officer told an investor converence on Thursday.

Bruce Tanner said that the "biggest exposure" for the F-35 would be a reduction in funds committed for the fifth production contract that's under negotiation, as well as additional funding for a sixth production contract.

However, who knows?

Bob C

[ORAC]

Ares: Sequestration Becoming Preferred Option? (http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog:27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post:0d80c514-0d93-41e4-9bc3-d366d652d467)

I will parrot many other news stories when I say it, but it's true. Sequestration, once the "nuclear option"... the "doomsday scenario"... the worst possible way to rein in the federal deficit ... is now becoming the preferred -- or at least default -- option in Washington. Here's just a quick summary of recent headlines.............

Defense News: Has HASC Chairman McKeon Thrown in the Towel on Sequestration? (http://blogs.defensenews.com/intercepts/2013/01/has-hasc-chairman-mckeon-thrown-in-the-towel-on-sequestration/)

Has House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard “Buck” McKeon, Washington’s top anti-sequestration warrior, finally thrown in the towel?

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Well it wasn't "unthinkable" by the people who put in the sequestration clause in the first place.

[Whenurhappy]

Well, all the USDoD and State Department colleagues I work with are very worried. Funding for anything but 'mission essential' TDY has been frozen; all conferences binned, 'base ops' cut by 30%, hiring freeze, hire vehicles returned...

So a bit like us then?

[Heathrow Harry]

MY GAWD!!

Conferences have been cancelled!!!!

Do the Great American Public realise that they are no longer protected by very necessary, and really cheap conferences........................

[TheSmiter]

Looks like the elephant in the room has woken up.

Sequestration signed into effect (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21638727)

Gentlemen, dust down your doomsday scenarios.

For those that need a wee refresher or bit of light analyis on the subject, I'd recommend this series (http://nation.time.com/2012/09/24/sequestration-and-what-it-would-do-to-u-s-military-power/) of articles as a starter.

[ImageGear]

Sequestration signed into effect

Looks like Osborne has got a following...if only in the short term, Now lets see what Moody's think of their AAA rating. :D

Imagegear

[high spirits]

Perhaps it's indicative of procrastination and delay by an incompetent president who has been way out of his depth since the start of his first term. And a polarised electorate, some of whom can't see through him. Is he a charlatan, who stuck his head in the sand for far too long? I'm not saying that is necessarily my opinion, just putting it out there for debate. How will history judge Obama?

[Ronald Reagan]

It seems there will be cuts of 18% in flying hours for each squadron. Also some unit may end up almost grounded.
No Thunderbird of Blue Angel displays either after the end of March. No F-22 display. Also no participation at all in airshows and it seems all official military airshows are cancelled. No fly overs of events.

Some interesting posts on Fighter Control and UKAR:-
US Sequestration thread • FighterControl • Military Aviation Forum (http://www.fightercontrol.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=287&t=74064)

View topic - US Airshows cancelled (Updated) (http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=49810)

Some interesting pieces here aswell:-
airforce-magazine.com Homepage (http://www.airforce-magazine.com/Pages/HomePage.aspx)

[CoffmanStarter]

RR ... Do you know if the Americans log Flying Time as Brakes Off To Brakes On ? If so then the cunning plan introduced by a certain Air Force during the 70's Fuel Crises to log Flying Time as Airbourne to Touchdown might save that 18% right away :ok:

[SASless]

Obama is not a Leader....but he does have an Agenda.

If you will think about the situation....one can see that Obama is pursuing that Agenda and using Sequestration as a Tool to achieve what he really wants.

Obama broached Sequestration as a Tool to force a compromise between the Republicans who wanted Spending Cuts and reform of Social Program Spending and the Democrats who wanted no Spending Cuts and greatly increased Taxation including Obama's Class Warfare targeting "Rich" people.

Neither Party would give....Obama formed the Simpson-Bowles Commission and upon receiving their Report....Ignored it.

We saw an impasse on the Debt Ceiling and both political parties embraced the notion of sequestration.....sent a Bill to Obama.....who signed it.

All the while, the Democrats in the Senate led by Pinky Reid have refused to bring up a Budget Bill despite the House sending them House Bills. Congress has a Constitutional Duty to do a Budget each Year....and the Senate is has refused to do so the whole while Obama has been in Office. Obama has not taken the first step towards forcing Pinky Reid to bring up such a Bill.

With no Budget (and the attendant compromise that would require), the Federal Government is funded by means of a Continuing Resolution which incorporates Base Line Budget procedures (automatic increases in spending as written into the last official Budget and the various Appropriations Bills). That means the Democrats continue to get their Spending Increases without any debate or compromise.

During the Presidential Debates....Obama stated flatly....that Sequestration was Bad.....and "Will not happen!"

Within the next two days he did an interview with the Des Moines Register, and immediately forbid the Paper from publishing that interview. During that interview Obama referenced the ending of the Bush Tax Cuts and the impending Sequestration as being the mechanisms whereby he could get the "Big Deal" on Taxes and Spending. Very clearly suggesting he was counting on both the Bush Tax Cuts to not be renewed and that Sequestration would happen and that situation would be "good" for his Agenda.

Excerpt from the Transcript of the Interview

Q Great. Mr. President, we know that John Boehner and the House Republicans have not been easy to work with, and certainly you’ve had some obstacles in the Senate, even though it’s been controlled by the Democrats. At the time, whenever — we talked a lot about, in 2008, hope and change. I’m curious about what you see your role is in terms of changing the tone and the perception that Washington is broken. But particularly, sir, if you were granted a second term, how do you implode this partisan gridlock that has gripped Washington and Congress and basically our entire political structure right now?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, Rick, let me answer you short term and long term. In the short term, the good news is that there’s going to be a forcing mechanism to deal with what is the central ideological argument in Washington right now, and that is: How much government do we have and how do we pay for it?

So when you combine the Bush tax cuts expiring, the sequester in place, the commitment of both myself and my opponent — at least Governor Romney claims that he wants to reduce the deficit — but we’re going to be in a position where I believe in the first six months we are going to solve that big piece of business.

It will probably be messy. It won’t be pleasant. But I am absolutely confident that we can get what is the equivalent of the grand bargain that essentially I’ve been offering to the Republicans for a very long time, which is $2.50 worth of cuts for every dollar in spending, and work to reduce the costs of our health care programs.

And we can easily meet — “easily” is the wrong word — we can credibly meet the target that the Bowles-Simpson Commission established of $4 trillion in deficit reduction, and even more in the out-years, and we can stabilize our deficit-to-GDP ratio in a way that is really going to be a good foundation for long-term growth. Now, once we get that done, that takes a huge piece of business off the table.

Obama continues to deny he had anything to do with creating Sequestration....despite numerous sources....including his own Press Secretary Jay Carney stating the idea originated within the White House staff and Obama. Obama also signed the Budget Control Act that put Sequestration into place as well as just yesterday signing the Implementing Order.

Congress and Obama had Eighteen Months to work out a compromise and avoid Sequestration taking place. Congress failed and Obama did nothing to encourage them to do so. Obama has been on the Campaign Trail telling of the horrible things that will happen if the Federal Government has to take a 2.4% cut in Spending....and continued to do so even though he was proven wrong.

When Republicans came up with two ways to avoid Sequestration....including granting Obama full control over how the cuts would be done....he threatened to Veto both measures.

The question to answer is why would Obama, given two chances to avoid Sequestration by the Republicans....refuse to accept those offers....even when one was a transfer of Congressional Power to the President? Why would Obama turn down the offer of more "power"? What Politician turns away from getting more power? Why would a Politician, especially Obama, spurn the offer?

Obama created the idea of Sequestration, did nothing to prevent it from taking place, refused to intervene when given the opportunity to so, continues to blame Republicans, wrongly denies any involvement in the deal, and clearly is seen to be lying to the American People.

He lost on the Bush Tax Cuts....as they were made Permanent with the exception of the Class Warfare Taxes imposed on the Working Rich. The Warren Buffet's of the country did not take a hit under the new law but those who started businesses, who succeeded and now are enjoying the financial returns on a life long endeavor. The Tax law is all about Earned Income and not investment returns....one being taxed over 30% and the other at 15%

Obama wants more Taxes on the "Rich", and more spending and a bigger government.....is what he said in the Des Moines Register interview. That is why he is so intent upon Sequestration happening. He must be a very happy Camper now that is the Law.

The reality is the Federal Government is spending too damn much money, doing so corruptly, incompetently, and is spending hundreds of Billions on things the Federal Government has no business being involved in.

The Mormon should be in the White House today....not the Moron!

[CoffmanStarter]

Just released by ACC on their Tw@tter Feed ...

Thunderbirds Display Season ends 1st April 2013 :eek:

ACC Tw@tter Feed (https://mobile.twitter.com/USAF_ACC/status/307672218442272770/photo/1)

Coff

[Lowe Flieger]

The reality is the [Federal]Government is spending too damn much money, doing so corruptly, incompetently, and is spending hundreds of Billions on things the [Federal] Government has no business being involved in.SASless, it's not all bad news. If the US carries on like that you will become eligible to join the European Union, which has been perfecting these techniques for a long time now. Perhaps we could exchange POTUS for a couple of Eurocrats? On this side of the pond he looks moderately right-wing compared to some of our Euro-elite.

LF

[The Helpful Stacker]

The Mormon should be in the White House today....not the Moron!

Had the Mormon been voted in you'd also have a moron, though a much more versed moron.

Still, at least the Mormon's idiocy would only have been directed at a small proportion of the population, the untermensch would no doubt have been cast adrift to fend for themselves.




(Nice little Mormon/moron dit by the way. Did you pick that up at a Tea Party or something?)

[high spirits]

Of course, we are in no position to gloat over here in Blighty. Our current generation of Philosophy, Politics and Economics Oxbridge graduates have never committed a days graft. I can't help looking at USA and wondering whether as SASLess said, the USA is subject to a political agenda rather than a government.....who knows?

[SASless]

Stacks,

May I assume you really were a Stacker?

[Two's in]

The Mormon should be in the White House today....not the Moron!

Yes of course, absolutely no need to question the critical thinking ability of a world leader who believes in Magic Underwear.

Temple garment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_garment)

[brickhistory]

Wow, a guy who doesn't smoke, doesn't drink, raised a fine family, ran successful businesses, etc, etc, etc is denigrated while the demonstrated performance in office of a non-tenured college professor and 'community organizer' is lauded.

Let us not forget this little bit of demonstrated background info when comparing to a religious belief that does no harm:

Obama and His Pot-Smoking ‘Choom Gang’ - ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/obama-and-his-pot-smoking-choom-gang/)

Obama had multiple opportunities to work the problem. He didn't meet with the opposition until the day sequestration took effect, 1 March.

A leader leads. This guy campaigns.

Heckuva job, Barry.

[Robert Cooper]

Wot he Said ......

Bob C :ok:

[West Coast]

Two's in

Good call, suggest we go back to judging people by the color of their skin as well.

[John Farley]

Sequestration “would destroy the military” and cause an “inability to defend the nation” argued Senator John McCain, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services committee. “Cuts of this magnitude would be catastrophic to the military,” testified General Raymond Odierno, the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, to Congress. “From a pure national security perspective, the gap between the U.S. military and our closest rivals will collapse with sequestration,” wrote the Washington Times. And it would create a U.S. military akin to a “paper tiger…unable to keep up with potential adversaries.” said Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. “In effect, it invites aggression.”


I must say I do not understand how 10% spread over quite a while could have the quoted effects. With luck someone on PPRuNe can enlighten me.

(I do of course fully understand why some individuals would want to say such things.)

[Ronald Reagan]

This message was sent to all Navy and Marine units by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. On March 1, sequestration was enacted — necessitating the following actions:
DTG 022300Z Mar 13
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
TO ALNAV
INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC
CMC WASHINGTON DC
CNO WASHINGTON DC
BT
UNCLAS
ALNAV 014/13
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/MAR//
SUBJ/DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY RESPONSE TO SEQUESTRATION//
RMKS/1. LAST NIGHT, BECAUSE NO BUDGET DEAL HAD BEEN REACHED, THE BUDGET CONTROL ACT REQUIRED SETTING IN MOTION THE AUTOMATIC, GOVERNMENT-WIDE CUTS KNOWN AS SEQUESTRATION. GIVEN THAT REALITY AND THE ASSOCIATED IMPACT OF BUDGETARY UNCERTAINTY IMPOSED BY AN INDEFINITE CONTINUING RESOLUTION, THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY INTENDS TO COMMENCE SOME REDUCTIONS IMMEDIATELY.
2. NAVY PLANS TO:
A. SHUT DOWN CARRIER AIR WING TWO (CVW-2) IN APRIL. THIS WILL INITIATE THE PREPARATIONS TO GRADUALLY STAND-DOWN FLYING IN AT LEAST
THREE ADDITIONAL AIR WINGS WITH TWO MORE AIR WINGS BEING REDUCED TO MINIMUM SAFE FLYING LEVELS BY THE END OF THE YEAR;
B. DEFER USNS COMFORT HUMANITARIAN DEPLOYMENT TO CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, “CONTINUING PROMISE 2013″, INCLUDING SUPPORTING SHIPS,
SEABEES, AND MEDICAL UNITS;
C. CANCEL OR DEFER THE DEPLOYMENTS OF UP TO SIX SHIPS TO VARIOUS AORS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF APRIL;
D. LAY UP FOUR COMBAT LOGISTICS FORCE (CLF) UNITS IN PACOM STARTING IN APRIL;
E. RETURN USS SHOUP (DDG 86) TO HOMEPORT EARLY AND NOT PROCEED AS USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) ESCORT TO CENTCOM;
F. RETURN USS THACH (FFG 43) TO HOMEPORT EARLY FROM DEPLOYMENT TO SOUTHCOM.
3. WE WILL ALSO IMMEDIATELY:
A. BEGIN NEGOTIATING CONTRACT MODIFICATIONS TO DE-OBLIGATE EFFORTS FOR ANY INVESTMENT PROGRAMS FOR WHICH THE REMAINING UNOBLIGATED BALANCE WILL BE INSUFFICIENT AFTER THE SEQUESTRATION REDUCTION IS APPLIED. MAJOR PROGRAMS AFFECTED INCLUDE VIRGINIA-CLASS SSN ADVANCE PROCUREMENT, REACTOR POWER UNITS AND JOINT HIGH SPEED VESSEL (JHSV 10);
B. COMMENCE FINAL PLANNING TO SLOW MARINE CORPS DEPOT MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING REDUCTIONS IN THE NON-PERMANENT WORKFORCE;
C. CANCEL MARCH INTRODUCTORY FLIGHT SCREENING FOR FUTURE PILOTS/NFOS;
D. ANNOUNCE INTENT TO CANCEL BLUE ANGELS SHOWS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 2013 [FOUR SHOWS: MACDILL AFB (TAMPA, FL), NAS CORPUS CHRISTI TX, VIDALIA GA, MCAS BEAUFORT SC];
E. CEASE NEW USMC ENROLLMENTS IN VOLUNTARY EDUCATION TUITION ASSISTANCE;
F. CANCEL MARCH NAVY RECRUITING MEDIA SUPPORT AND REDUCE THE MAJORITY OF ADVERTISING CONTRACTS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE UNDER CONTRACTUAL CONDITIONS.
4. THESE ACTIONS ARE BEING TAKEN TO PRESERVE SUPPORT FOR THOSE FORCES STATIONED OVERSEAS AND CURRENTLY FORWARD-DEPLOYED. REDUCTIONS IN LOWER-PRIORITY FORWARD OPERATIONS, AND SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN ALL OTHER OPERATIONS, TRAINING, AND MAINTENANCE ARE THE RESULTS OF THIS SELECTION PROCESS. WE MADE THESE CHOICES CAREFULLY, WHILE TRYING TO PRESERVE OUR ABILITY TO REVERSE OR QUICKLY RESTORE NEGATIVE EFFECTS IF AND WHEN FUNDING IS RESTORED.
5. ACTIONS WE HAVE TAKEN TO DATE WILL CONTINUE, TO INCLUDE THOSE AFFECTING THE DEFERRAL OF MAINTENANCE FOR USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72); THE DEFERRAL OF REPAIR WORK FOR USS MIAMI (SSN 755) AND USS PORTER (DDG 78); THE DELAYED DEPLOYMENT OF USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN 75) AND USS GETTYSBURG (CG 64); THE CIVILIAN HIRING FREEZE; THE PLANNING FOR CIVILIAN FURLOUGHS; AND THE REDUCTION OF ALL TRAINING NOT RELATED TO THE READINESS OF DEPLOYED OR NEXT-TO-DEPLOY FORCES.
6. NAVY DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP UNDERSTANDS THE UNCERTAINTY THAT THESE AND OTHER DECISIONS CREATE BOTH AMONGST OUR PEOPLE AND IN THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY UPON WHICH WE RELY. THE LACK OF A LEGISLATIVE SOLUTION TO AVOID SEQUESTRATION IS DEEPLY REGRETTABLE. THAT SAID, WE MUST ENDEAVOR TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION AS WE FACE IT, NOT AS WE WISH IT COULD OTHERWISE BE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PEOPLE FOREMOST IN MIND, EVEN AS WE TRY HARD TO KEEP WHOLE THE FORCE STRUCTURE WHICH SUPPORTS THEM. WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO KEEP THE FLEET AND FLEET MARINE FORCE FULLY INFORMED AS FOLLOW-ON DECISIONS ARE MADE.
7. RELEASED BY RAY MABUS, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.//
BT

Source:-
Department of the Navy Response to Sequestration (http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2013/03/02/department-of-the-navy-response-to-sequestration/)

Carrier Air Wing Two - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrier_Air_Wing_Two)

[SASless]

I see the genius that wanted to name a ship after the most corrupt Congressman, who slandered and libeled Young Marines BEFORE any investigation, has seen fit to cut the most used assets of the US Navy.

Among the list.....I did not see a single Admiral getting his walking papers!

SecNav is an absolute Dork! But....he and Barry Boy have a mutual admiration thing going.

Did they cut the VIP fleet of Airplanes?

Did they cut the numbers of Admirals commensurate with the cut in assets?

[Bushranger 71]

This snippet re the US economy is from another forum:

'I think the best way to look at the effect of the $85 Bn sequester is to look at fiscal year 2012 which finished 30th September 2012:

Spent $3,538billion, Taxes $2,241billion,Deficit $1,297billion
So the $85billion sequester would have affected fiscal 2012 thus:
Spent $3,453billion,Taxes $2,241billion, Deficit $1,212billion

So the $85billion sequester would have shaved 2.4% from spending and 6.55% from the deficit, but the deficit would still be 35% of spending and 54% of taxes. Obviously there is still a very long way to go.'

As the $85billion is spread across the US economy, it should not cripple their defenc(s)e capacity. In 2010, the US defence-related spend was about $700billion representing around 31 percent of near $2,300billion federal revenue. Seems like plenty of scope for efficiencies.

The same hysteria re defence budget constraints is ongoing in Australia because defence spending was reduced by about 10 percent for this year; although now at around $24billion, still represents 7.5 to 8 percent of estimated government revenue and that is among the top 15 spenders on defence worldwide. See: http://www.comw.org/pda/fulltext/120618-Military-Spending-Comparison.pdf

The emotive hype re economic constraints seems to be emerging from those lobbying on behalf of big spend defence industry. They are largely pricing some military hardware beyond affordability of many nations and are really disregarding the increasingly parlous state of some economies.

[high spirits]

Emotive hype. Perhaps, but don't forget that just like SDSR cuts, sequestration has a disproportionate effect on one group of citizens ie the military. This knocks on to morale, fears for job security, civilians employed at bases, families etc.

From an outsiders perspective, it looks like both sides are playing at brinkmanship with an institution that is revered by its citizens. The British government and perhaps the Oz government could get away with it. Not so sure with the American government. Even if smoke and mirrors are used to blame the other side....

[melmothtw]

RR ... Do you know if the Americans log Flying Time as Brakes Off To Brakes On ? If so then the cunning plan introduced by a certain Air Force during the 70's Fuel Crises to log Flying Time as Airbourne to Touchdown might save that 18% right away http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/thumbs.gif


Surely that would only work if this were an exercise in cutting flight hours, rather than cutting costs. If you redefined what a flight hour was to make it look like you were flying fewer of them, you would then in fact have to cut more of them to get the desired level of savings, no?

[Lonewolf_50]

Senator McCain was engaging in a bit of hyperbole. I think Bushranger has the right idea.

[Blue Bottle]

This is a great link, nice to see a spin like this on the subject

DoD To Charge Admission Fee For Base Access To Fix Budget Shortfalls | The Duffel Blog (http://www.duffelblog.com/2013/03/dod-to-charge-admission-fee-for-installations-access-to-fix-budget-shortfalls/)

[Baron 58P]

This piece is from Bloomberg today. It is very interesting in that it gives a view as to why US Defence spending is so out of control. :ugh::ugh:

Five Military Cuts That Would Fix Sequestration - Businessweek (http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-02-25/five-military-cuts-that-would-fix-sequestration#r=rss)

[Whenurhappy]

What will affect some of my colleagues the most is the introduction of 'Furlough' in April - 4 day week for US GS, with a 20% reduction in pay!

[SASless]

Forget the Furlough....the Base Access Fee that Hagel is pushing is the thing to get upset over!

DoD To Charge Admission Fee For Base Access To Fix Budget Shortfalls | The Duffel Blog (http://www.duffelblog.com/2013/03/dod-to-charge-admission-fee-for-installations-access-to-fix-budget-shortfalls/)

[BEagle]

How did they ever get to the Moon??

:rolleyes:

[Biggus]

BEagle,

They didn't - it was all mocked up in a hangar in Area 51, with built in time delays on comms. Where have you been? Even the greenest member of the "Grassy knoll society" knows that! :ok:

[orca]

Surely the people most likely to get (have got) to the moon are those with a single minded intent to develop and procure a capability whilst at the same time not paying too much attention to the sums involved.

In both respects the US are the only show in town. Laudable on the one hand whilst a little careless on the other.

And no matter how deep these cuts bite, they're still going to be one of perhaps two military super powers in our lifetimes.

[Whenurhappy]

Stab Aug Syst - Off : I hope you are being ironic over the base access fee proposal - after alln it's on the Duffel Blog!

ORCA - ignore the cost of the moon shot and similarly ignore/actively erase the wartime background of key German technicians, primus inter pares being the poster boy of the 'space race', SS-Sturmbannfuhrer Wernher von Braun (promoted to SS-Major in June 1943)

[busdriver02]

Imagine it works like this(I'm going to make up some numbers but they're reasonably close): Of the entire DoD budget, 75% is non-discretionary spending(health care, retirement, etc) so you actually operate with 25%. Well, let's say we've spent 12.5% already since we assumed Congress would sort this thing out, so we've got 12.5% remaining. So once a 10% cut is taken in the remaining 6 months left, 2.5% is remaining for the next 6 months and somethings are contractually obligated (JSF) so operations and maintenance takes the hit.

[SASless]

Gosh....you go fishing....throw out the bait....get your finger around the line and some guy comes along and chunks a great big ol' Rock into the middle of your Pond for you.