As The Libyan Stalemate Gets Stale

The NY Times reports that France and Britain want NATO to bomb more and faster in Libya.  They also shock us with the news that Obama's lack of a plan has caused strains in Washington:

Possible Libya Stalemate Puts Stress on U.S. Policy

By DAVID E. SANGER

WASHINGTON — Three weeks ago, President Obama  ordered American troops into the first “humanitarian war” on his watch, vowing to stop the forces loyal to Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi from massacring their own people. Mr. Obama’s hope was that a quick application of power from the air would tip the balance, and the Libyan rebels would do the rest.

Now with the Qaddafi forces weathering episodic attacks, and sometimes even gaining, the question in Washington has boiled down to this: Can Mr. Obama live with a stalemate?

 Asked on Monday whether the United States could accept a cease-fire proposed by the African Union that would effectively leave Colonel Qaddafi in control of part of the country, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton hedged. First, she said, the Libyan government would have to allow food, water and electricity into cities it has cut off and allow in humanitarian assistance. Then, she added, “These terms are nonnegotiable.”

But she immediately reiterated that ultimately nothing could be resolved without “the departure of Qaddafi from power, and from Libya.” The statement seemed to underscore the limbo the administration finds itself in, with the rebels unable to achieve regime change on their own, and Washington and its NATO allies hesitant to leap deeper into a civil war.

Mr. Obama’s decision to join the military intervention in Libya may well be judged a failure if the initial result is a muddle or a partition of the country, an outcome that his own secretary of defense, Robert M. Gates,  declared less than a month ago would be a “a real formula for insecurity.”  If the country’s civil war drags on, Mr. Obama will almost certainly have to answer a rising chorus of critics that he entered the battle too late, began to exit too early, and overestimated a very inexperienced, disorganized rebel movement. 

The Times joins in the cheap-shotting:

In interviews, senior administration officials urge patience. The first NATO strikes, they note, were only 23 days ago. Colonel Qaddafi, they say, has been badly wounded by the rebellion and is still reeling from the defection of a few key allies and the loss of billions in revenue that he used buy loyalty. Tommy Vietor, the spokesman for the National Security Council, argues that the key to ultimate success is “continued messaging to Qaddafi’s inner circle that the writing is on the wall.”

But, Mr. Vietor added: “Unilateral, open-ended military action to pursue regime change isn’t good strategy, and wouldn’t advance American credibility anywhere. Stopping a massacre, building an international coalition, and tightening the squeeze on Qaddafi as a part of an international coalition is in our interest, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Over time, that strategy might yet work. But clearly the administration is gambling on catching a break — perhaps  an army uprising, the gradual starvation of a regime addicted to cash, maybe a stray bullet or lucky missile strike that ends a dictator’s 40-year rule.

But as Mr. Obama frequently noted when he was in the Senate criticizing the American approach to Iraq and Afghanistan, hope is not a strategy.

Hope is not a strategy?  Now they tell us.

Comments

[Melinda Romanoff]

But it could have been a stupid plan to force oil prices up, and make the green revolution a bit easier.

Domestic policies always come first.

[narciso]

Maybe if they sent the Delorean from 1985. The good news the rebels are losing near Hoth, I mean Beghazi, so that part will soon be over.

[Danube of Thought]

Can Mr. Obama live with a stalemate?

For the sake of the country I hope he can. I don't want one single American guy to get shot in this cuckoo adventure.

[Porchlight]

Can Mr. Obama live with a stalemate?

Mr. Obama will tell his people to work something out and write him a speech, which is the extent of his leadership on any issue, so yes, he can live with whatever.

[clarice]

That's his strategy:Drawing to an inside straight.

Always works if you have the audacity to hope.

[narciso]

Maybe, if Sarkozi sent a hit team from GIGN, Barril's old outfit.

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

DOT,

I asked you a military question in the other thread.

[Captain Hate]

Porch the WaPo agrees with you: Letting others take the lead on complex problems has become a hallmark of the Obama presidency. On health care, last year’s tax deal and the recent battle over 2011 spending cuts, Obama has repeatedly waited as others set the parameters of the debate, swooping in late to cut a deal. The tactic has produced significant victories but exposed Obama to criticism that he has shown a lack of leadership.

[Danube of Thought]

Jane--

When the guys at the top think the CIC is a moron, who do they say it to?

I know that they discuss it among themselves (with very close colleagues), and it is understood among all that nothing goes public. They also discuss it discreetly with close friends in the retired community, who are discreet but who have their methods. When you see, e.g., Gen. Tom McInerny saying something critical of administration policy, you can be assured that what he says it informed by what he hears from some guys on active duty.

Very rarely will any retired flag or general officer make any ad hominem attack. It's just part of the ethos.

[Ranger]

Obama is lucky that Americans pay little attention to international news. The contrast between Obama's grand adventure in Libya and the French operation in Ivory Coast is stark. In Libya we are backing rebels we know can't win at this point, but barely enough (and maybe even not enought) to keep them from losing. In Ivory Coast, the French quickly and decisivly ended the impass once it was clear the local "rebels" didn't have the juice in the tank to pull it off.

[clarice]

What "significant victories"? Obamacare? That albatross around his neck? The grand adventure in Libya? I know--the decision to try KSM at Gitmo..

[Captain Hate]

It is hilarious, c; even when they offer mild criticism they do it by putting the most unrealistically positive spin on it.

[The French showed some elan however; alas.]

er, Ranger, not sure I'd call those ones rebels. Whaddya think of Inhofe's claim that the election was stolen? Also, isn't this one ethnic, with nativist indigenous being slowly overrun by Muslim encroachers?
=================

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

It's an admirable ethos DOT, particularly because you don't want it bleeding down to the troops.

I couldn't do it. I'm sure of that.

[I R A Darth Aggie]

Nothing says "writing on the wall" quite like "the Marines have landed and are ripping our mercenaries like a hot knife thru butter".

But that's not going to happen. Besides, Uncle Muammar has put Zombie Rommel on the payroll.

[We know better, but does the muddle?]

Well, c, his watercarriers in the MSM seem to be promoting him as the agent of deadlock breaking.
===========

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

This is a really interesting article by Nate Silver on the debt ceiling battle.

I think I agree with McConnell that it should not be filibustered - altho I will say, the predicted consequences of failure to increase the debt ceiling do not bother me that much.

[Officially apolitical. Officially.]

Heh, Jane, rest assured some of it bleeds up from the troops.
========================

[Ignatz]

--Porch the WaPo agrees with you: Letting others take the lead on complex problems has become a hallmark of the Obama presidency. On health care, last year’s tax deal and the recent battle over 2011 spending cuts, Obama has repeatedly waited as others set the parameters of the debate, swooping in late to cut a deal.--

Rasmussen's numbers would seem to indicate most people understand he swoops in late to take the credit for the work of others if a deal is done while retaining the ability to stay "above the fray" [and golf] if a deal is not forthcoming.
Classic narcissist behavior; you're entitled to all the credit when things go right and there's always a fall-guy when things go wrong.

[narciso]

Like I've said before, if either side wins, it's a loss for the country, the rebels seem more tied to Burkina Faso, than to the Cote'
Ivoire.

For more examples of such 'logical' thinking:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/%E2%80%98the-majority-of-white-people-believe-those-people-are-taking-our-money-and-taxes%E2%80%99-dnc-interim-chair-donna-brazile-says-racist-fearful-whites-are-why-the-dems-don%E2%80%99t-do-better/

[Ignatz]

--Also, isn't this one ethnic, with nativist indigenous being slowly overrun by Muslim encroachers?--

kim,
I suspect the French interest has nothing to do with ethnicity but everything to do with who was willing to play ball with the French.
It's impossible to be too cynical about France's behavior in Africa.
Or anywhere else.

[Danube of Thought]

When I get a chance, Jane, I will tell the story of what senior military officers were confronted with in the LBJ/McNamara era as the Vietnam war expanded. It will stay with me all my life.

[maryrose]

Donna Brazile needs to stop throwing out red herrings. There is no racist fear on the part of white voters.

[Ranger]

Well, I did use ""s around the term rebel in Ivory Coast. And I really don't think anyone knows who won the election there, I was just pointing out the differnce if effectiveness between Barry and the French in getting the geo-political outcomes they want.

[Neo]

strategy for curbing borrowing

The new code word (phrase) of the day. It means "raise taxes".

[MarkO]

Come on. They were winning when Obama had to come out of the game. Ingrates. You loan them a plane, give them a map and they complain. What more could they want?

This is pitiful. But, I have no pity.

[Dave (in MA)]

I thought I first heard "Hope is not a strategy" from Sen. Pantsuit when she was complaining to Gen. Abizaid about how Iraq was going, but there's apparently a 2001 book carrying that title that was directed at sales weasels and marketing pukes.

[Cecil Turner]

From the Times article:

While the pace of NATO air attacks appeared to pick up Monday in the battleground between Ajdabiya and the oil town of Brega in eastern Libya, rebel leaders have complained bitterly of a lull that seemed to coincide with the handoff of responsibility from the allied coalition to NATO, about 10 days ago.

It's hard to find reliable sortie data from before NATO takeover (though from what I can glean from earlier reports there weren't dramatically more beforehand), but the strike sortie rate since has been relatively flat:

31-Mar		74

1-Apr		74

2-Apr		70

3-Apr		58

4-Apr		58

5-Apr		66

6-Apr		73

7-Apr		54

8-Apr		60

9-Apr		56

10-Apr		70

11-Apr		59

You could fly that many sorties easily with a single squadron, though, so the tempo isn't exactly blistering.

When the guys at the top think the CIC is a moron, who do they say it to?

Remember, the UCMJ makes such speech a crime:

“Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

So I think the best answer is: only people they really really trust.

[narciso]

Do not ever forget that Nate is a Journolister, then ask your self why is he taking that argument

[Army of Davids]

Government Sachs...Golden Slacks...

It's good to own a seat at Obama's table.

Worth remembering that president's guy at the CFTC, Gary Gensler...18 years at Goldman. Has done quite well.

[lyle]

Can Mr. Obama live with a stalemate?

He lives with Michelle, doesn't he?

[With BF, heh, too.]

Got it Ranger, and I agree.
============

[DebinNC]

WaPo op ed has some interesting nuggests re restrictions on Libya actions various NATO countries have. Obama didn't just take himself out of the game; he left the building and has remained unavailable for comment until Gadhafi leaves, at which point Obama will reappear to claim dibs on the game ball.

[Blue]

"...what senior military officers were confronted with in the LBJ/McNamara era as the Vietnam war expanded."

Compared to those two, Ms Fonda was just a stage prop.

That said, the silence of "senior military officers" has, at times, been deafening.

[GS Patton]

The House of Representatives controls the debt ceiling debate. If 281 votes are cast in favor of not raising the ceiling, then that is it. Game over. Neither the President nor the Senate or God can overrule that vote. QE2 ends. ObamaCare ends. Everything the President SnowJob had Pelosi Galore and Bending Reid spend money on (more money than had been spent since George Washington was President through Bush2)is non-payable. Every budget chief in DC has to live within the means they already have. No new spending. No more layers of earmarks and pork from a fresh new budget cycle. No more money printing.

And it forces the budget to be cut OR THEN DEFAULT occurs. Raising the debt ceiling just continues the money printing. The world will welcome that to stop. And the "inflate away the debt" strategy of Democrats and RINOS alike is over. That is why the leadership is lip synching the same tune--- one more time with the warning that cuts have to be made because this is the last time.

Insiders know the celing *CANNOT* be raised or the ensuing financial meltdown will be worse because it says Uncle Sam needs to borrow another TRILLION DOLLARS. That would collapse the bond market altogether in a hurry. Japan damn near made sure of that and it wasnt by choice.

Look for a revolt inside the House to control the day and take the bullet that the media is saying they have when they talk about who will be blamed.

That is an empty threat that is empty as the one in the White House. McConnell is barking about nothing. The Senate is irrelevant in the Debt Ceiling Debate. There is no debate. The House decides.

The House gets no love either way. And the Tea Party will assert itself on this decision. Boehner the Boner is toast. He's weak. So is Cantor. Ryan's star is rising and the Chicken Shit In Chief is setting that table with this retarded speech he will give on "taming the deficit", his Dukakis moment sans the tank helmet.

Prediction: the debt ceiling doesn't get raised, the markets will soar, and budget blood will run red in DC as budget chiefs around the Cabinet wheel have to cut to the bone just to keep their doors open.

It's going to make Wisconsin look like a country church social by comparison. And Soetoro will effectively be made a lame duck.

All these naysayers about how weak the Tea Party is have no idea what is coming. Just like Rommel. Heh heh heh.

Oh, and Mo-Q in Libya? He's toast too. It's just a matter of time. The stress of this NATO boondoggle is going to finish off his health. Stroke. You watch. Then the fun begins with al-Qaeda...there and in Yemen. Say goodnite to Saudi Arabia, chillunz. And say hello to US reserves in oil shale driving the cost of a gallon of gas down to a buck.... after the 2012 elections. The winner in 2012 will be the one who makes the one dollar per gallon gas promise to the American people.

We are a bunch that is easy to please. The green movement in the USA is toast.

[Danube of Thought]

Note Cecil's UCMJ excerpt. A few years back some naval officers got hammered under that provision for some (richly desreved) derogatory comments about Patsy Schroeder.

[narciso]

Where are the Mutineers, Baptiste, Eaton, and company, who were given free rein, to attack Rumsfeld and Bush, now they are quiet as church mice, I know it's like the civility
sham.

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

I will tell the story of what senior military officers were confronted with in the LBJ/McNamara era as the Vietnam war expanded.

Please do.

[Danube of Thought]

"Mark Levin

"Trump is NOT the real deal. He will get Obama re-elected. This is not a game. This is not a circus. He is not a conservative. He was happy to donate to Schumer, Weiner, & Emanuel campaigns last year. He was pro-choice recently and now claims to be pro-life. He sounds more & more like Ross Perot. If he runs as an Independent, Obama wins. We should not encourage this."

Bring a very, very long spoon to sup with this bombastic mountebank.

[Jim,MtnViewCA,USA]

"Prediction: the debt ceiling doesn't get raised..."

Would be nice. Why would you think it will happen though?

[Army of Davids]

Obama playing extend and pretend on ObamaCare?

Republicans should start calling for a fast-track to the SCOTUS.

The bill needs to go away.

[MarkO]

Perhaps named after Bombastic Bushkin?

[Neo]

NATO adopts a unique form of the "rules of engagement" ...

Even those who support the mission aren’t doing much about it. With a certain flourish, the Swedish parliament approved the deployment of Swedish planes abroad for first time in more than 40 years. Alas, the Swedish jets are allowed only to enforce the no-fly zone: That means they can shoot down Libyan government planes but cannot bomb ground targets. Since there aren’t any more Libyan government planes, this shouldn’t be too difficult.
But then, Dutch planes operate under the same restrictions. Norwegian planes, meanwhile, are apparently allowed to bomb air bases but nothing else. Italy’s planes have flown more than 100 missions but have not yet dropped a single bomb. The Canadians are doing a bit more, it is true — though Canadian politicians are bending over backward to avoid talking too much about it.

[Yellow Cake, Yellow Cake, Bake me a Meme.]

Hey, Ranger, I just remembered that energy security for France means yellowcake, and the famous cotton bale barrels of Plame Game Fame were in a warehouse in the Ivory Coast.
============

[Porchlight]

So is Levin's thesis that Trump is basically a Dem plant to split the anti-Obama vote?

[Jack is Back!]

DoT,

I have been wondering if Trump isn't a Axelrod plant. Strategy:

1. Use your egomaniac personality - magnetic at first to the MFM - to raise false flag questions about Obama, like what is on the COLB he doesn't want us to see!

2. Take on issues Obama can't take on (China, Oil) because he doesn't want to tweak the noses of Hu and the Saudis.

3. Start teasing about running - get yourself elevated in the polls - then let it be known you will run as an independent if the RNC doesn't hand the nomination to you.

Now if that hasn't got Axelrod written all over it then Trump is smarter and more loyal to Bami than I thought.

[Mark Folkestad]

Hey, if anyone wants a good ice cream cone and a chance to reduce the disposable income of a couple of left-wing flakes, Ben & Jerry's "scooperies" are giving out free cones today, April 12. I'm stuck in Fargo until tomorrow, and there is no store up here. Stampede the stores, friends.

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

I think the whole birther thing belies the conjecture that Trump is an Obama plant. Bambi can't stand criticism.

I think Trump is Trump.

[Danube of Thought]

I feel very strongly that Trump is acting entirely on his own. And I don't think he'll ultimately run, either as a Republican or an Independent.

But I sure do detest that phony bastard.

[Melinda Romanoff]

JiB-

Axelrod has never been THAT good.

[Rocco]

Doesn't Trump realize that by running as an Independent he's guaranteeing a Democrat win? Could he be that stupid? I don't think he's that dumb, so what is his motive? To help Obama win? I don't believe that either. Maybe he's just a rich guy who has everything except political power. I might believe that except his liberal past has me in conspiracy mode. I have to doubt Obama would agree to let him pound him the way he's doing, even to guarantee a second term.

[BR]

I remember Niger using the port of Benin and the US Navy finding yellow cake in a warehouse there prior to Wilson's trip. Ivory Coast also?

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

It is way too early to worry about Trump, IMO. And I wouldn't be surprised if the left wanted us to get nervous about him so he would be forced to stop asking the questions.

Today's polls reflect nothing but name recognition.

[Danube of Thought]

Doesn't Trump realize that by running as an Independent he's guaranteeing a Democrat win? Could he be that stupid?

He's no more a Republican than he is a Democrat, and I doubt he cares a whit about which party wins. Everything is about him--always has been, always will be.

[rse]

Does anyone hear remember reading about how Edward Said was BO's mentor at Columbia?

Just finished 2 different books, each more than 15 years old and one written in Australia, on the bad higher ed theories that have decimated both literature and history throughout the English speaking world and Western Europe.

Both books just could not say enough bad things about how ridiculous and short-sighted Said was.

Apparently and unfortunately BO must have been listening.

[Danube of Thought]

This is as OT as one can go (except hell, we're talking about air power, aren't we?), but it is nothing short of spectacular.

[rse]

I guess that typo would suggest "Horton Heres a Who".

Ooops.

[Captain Hate]

Trump won't run because he'll have to disclose his finances.

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

WOW DOT!

[henry]

Thanks Danube.

[RebeccaH]

Let's face it: Obama thought bombing QDaffy's forces would make QDaffy quit in terror, just like he did before, but it blew up in Obama's face because he can't see the difference between then and now.

[Walter]

In the news, a Democrat (a turncoat Republican even) has rejected Obamacare.

The first paragraph of his amicus brief filed with the 11th Circuit in partial support of Judge Vinson:

When Henry Thoreau set about to idly chronicle the summer of 1845 alongside Walden Pond, could Congress assert that Thoreau's season of reflection was, in fact, an active decision not to fish Waldens's waters, regulate his negative decision under the Commerce Clause, and thereafter penalize his failure to fish under the theory that everyone has to eat?

I didn't vote for the dude, but I love that opening question.

[Walter]

Happy Anniversary, Janet!

[Donald Sensing]

"I don't care. Obama is awesome!"

[Donald Sensing]

"Hope is not a method and wishes are not plans.

[Rocco]

From the SSCI PDF Page 69 / 521

On November 25, 2002, The Naval | ^ ^ H H issued a very brief report {Alleged Storage of Uranium Destined for Iraq \ HHI^^^I^^Ii^^lllHll^^^mi that a large quantity of uranium from Niger was being stored in a warehouse in Cotonou, Benin. The uranium was reportedly sold to Iraq by Niger's President. The report provided the name and telephone numbers for the individual, a West African businessman, who was responsible for coordinating the alleged uranium transaction and indicated that he was willing to provide information about the transaction. CIA's DO told Committee staff that the businessman has never been contacted and the DO has not made an effort to determine whether this individual had any useful information. The DO told Committee staff that they saw no reason to contact him and noted that "no one even thought to do that." The Defense Humint Service (DHS) and the Navy also told Committee staff that they did not try to contact the businessman. The Navy told the Committee that because they were not further tasked regarding their report, they did not pursue the matter further. The DHS told Committee staff that because the DHS examined the warehouse on December 17, 2002 and saw only what appeared to be bales of cotton in the warehouse, they did not see a reason to contact the businessman. The report on the DHS's findings was not published until February 10, 2003.

[glasater]

Incredible DOT! Even though I have a lapsed private pilots license--the idea of flying in close formation is terrifying to me.
Beautiful photography/video which is more my line of thinking nowadays.

[Shoulda known better.]

Thank you BR, and Rocco. I think I'm wrong and I think I got it from Eriposte.
==========

[Extraneus]

I used to watch them from my back yard, practicing over the water between Staten Island and Coney Island, late 60's.

[Neo]

The Guy Who Says He Owns 50% Of Facebook Just Filed A Boatload Of New Evidence -- And It's Breathtaking

[Janet]

I think Trump is Trump.

Me too. IMO this is all about the MFM never vetting Obama & the entire phony narrative. Trump said something about whichever reporter broke the mystery, they would be famous.
Anyway...If this resonates with so many Americans...why not look into it rather than cut Trump down? I appreciate him bringing it up...who else is?

Thanks Walter!

[clarice]

I wish I were competent enough to pilot a plane.

[JWE]

I feel very strongly that Trump is acting entirely on his own. And I don't think he'll ultimately run, either as a Republican or an Independent.

But I sure do detest that phony bastard.

Posted by: Danube of Thought | April 12, 2011 at 01:47 PM

And what do you think of Trump?

[BR]

Thank you, Rocco! And Hi, Kim :)
Wouldn't it be something if that businessman had ties to Wilson himself. I remember Wilson had made an earlier trip to Niger and much other data which made me suspicious that Wilson and Plame may themselves have been involved in facilitating WMD to Iraq, instead of preventing it, and that his "wife-ordered" not "Cheney-ordered" trip was damage control to hide their own business operations.

[Janet]

DoT,
Thanks for the Blue Angels video link. Very cool. We used to go out to the Naval Air Station in Kingsville & watch them...sitting on the hoods of our cars.
The Blue Angels & the annual county ag. show (with a carnival) were 2 big events in my hometown.

[(Another) Barbara]

Is anyone reassessing his/her enthusiasm about Republican success in the budget deal?

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

AB,

WEll it certainly looks like it wasn't all we expected. But I still think we have to win the political battle in order to win the fiscal battle. And I think it was a political win.

[Melinda Romanoff]

J-Pod saying the votes aren't there for Boehner on the budget deal.

[lyle]

Pyrrhic victory for me, AB.

[He'll get his.]

Yep, BR, it is my impression that Wilson might have done as you say. He was, and is, certainly developing African energy contacts, and Muslim ones.
==========

[(Another) Barbara]

And I think it was a political win.

Not according to the CNN poll just out, showing Obama gets most of the credit for saving the day. Sure, just one poll and of the general pop, not voters only, but it shouldn't be a surprise.

[glasater]

Re:Trump-

I heard him say there isn't a union he doesn't "luv".

One can take that any way one wants:-)

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

WEll the political win I mean is that the entire country is now thinking about cutting spending, while 2 weeks ago no one on the left was. If we are going to accomplish anything we need people on the same page.

[centralcal]

AB: I went to bed very depressed the night the deal was announced. Next day, comments here and around the web worked on my frame of mind, and I thought I just wasn't enough of a pragmatist. Today, I feel like I did the night it happened.

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vnjagvet]

I took daughter, HG and Grandma for a birthday lunch and am just catching up.

Happy Anniversary Jane and thanks for the good wishes to HG.

Thanks to DOT for that spectacular Blue Angels video.

Trump is still a blowhard, but unless he turns into a Perot, I like his taking on the more controversial issues.

Except for highly political senior officers, I would be surprised if most of the rest are not incensed about the lack of coherent strategy and objectives for our troops in the field.

[Thomas Collins]

I would say that Trump is the Don King of real estate developers, reality show honchos and Presidential candidates, but that would be unfair to Mr. King.

[Extraneus]

The annual deficit is around $1.5T. Divided by 365 days, that's around $4B of borrowing per day. The Budget Deal cut spending by $38.5B, which means it saved us less than ten days of deficit spending. A drop in the bucket. By this time next week, we get back to borrowing $4B per day.

Rush is right that all the belly-aching by the MSM about how severe these cuts are is just strategic battlefield preparation for the real budget fight to come, and it's probably working.

[daddy]

Cavuto just had on some guy (sorry missed his name) who said that looking now closely at what actually is being cut in the Budget deal, that it is much less real cuts than advertised. He says that it is going to cause much angst among Tea Party folks and that to get this deal voted to Pass in the House they are going to have to get many Dem's to cross the aisle to pass it.

The follow-up guest is Senator John Thune who still thinks its as good as we could expect. Are you guys hearing anything on the nuts and bolts of what is cut in this Budget Agreement that jibes with Cavuto's first guest's impression?

[Sue]

AB,

No, since I thought it was a lousy deal to begin with. And got the hell beaten out of me for thinking it.

[Soylent Red]

All:

FYI, made it to Kuwait.

[centralcal]

Oh dear, the First and Second wives are not looking so darn good lately.

So tiring to be a celebrity.

[Sue]

Yippee!

[Janet]

Great!!! Oh Soylent, sooo good to hear!

[centralcal]

Wonderful, Soylent.

[MayBee]

Yay, Soylent!

[MayBee]

(Another)Barbara- have you seen the reports that Hawaii has now made it true that you cannot receive a copy of your long form birth certificate>

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vnjagvet]

I would say that Trump is the Don King of real estate developers, reality show honchos and Presidential candidates, but that would be unfair to Mr. King.

And they still have the same hair stylist.

[daddy]

On the topic of Officers speaking their mind about the CIC:

I recall when going through training in Kingsville in @1980 that a Senior Officer in the Squadron came into the Ready-Room and did an impromptu but sort of formal speech to all us students in their studying and briefing. He got up and asked for our attention, and then went off on a 3 or 4 minute lecture on why we had to vote for Ronny Reagan for President in the upcoming Election and why Jimmy Carter was awful for the country. We students (pretty much fresh out of college) hadn't seen such a thing before and made a few muted jokes about him being the Political Officer. I recall that some of our Instructor pilots (who had already been in the fleet and so were mid-level Officer's (unlike we JO nuggets), thought it inappropriate, and notified the old man. The CO then had an immediate closed door meeting with the speechmaker and the speechmaker had to come out to the ReadyRoom and publicly apologize for his inappropriate political remarks and said he was wrong to have said it in that forum. I thought that was well handled, and I remember one of my instructors later elaborating on why that was inappropriate to do that in such a forum. He said the place for that sort of discussion was off duty and between folks when both guys wanted to talk about it and felt free to express their honest opinions to each other about Carter and Reagan. All that made sense to me.

[Frau Rumpelstilzchen]

It seems the PR machine has shifted into high gear on the budget deal making it seem *now* as if Clever Hans Barry pulled a fast one. There's more spinning going on than in a room full of whirling dervishes.

[(Another) Barbara]

No, since I thought it was a lousy deal to begin with.

Yup. And as details emerge, "lousy" is almost an understatement. I hope tea partiers around the country will scream themselves hoarse over this.