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Ask a Vet
Author: TriSec
Date: 05/23/2017 09:36:02
Good Morning.
It's been quite some time since we reviewed the Cost of War.
Even though there has been little actual shooting of late, we're still gallivanting around the world sticking our nose in everyone's business.
So, we find this morning's cost of war passing through:
$1, 762, 970, 650, 000.00
I did time it, and it seems to be rising about $28,000 every ten seconds.
I was skimming for some stories this morning, and the next two were the first ones in my usual locations today. I found the sequencing somewhat jarring.
First, it's the Pentagon - they have apparently amassed a vast, secret, cache of cash.
Due to the sequencing of the stories this morning, it sure looked to me like giving our soldiers a pay raise is a distraction - not that they don't deserve it, but it just struck me as an odd juxtaposition.
Remember those $900 toilet seats we used to complain about during the Reagan era? There's always some way to defraud the American taxpayer, isn't there?
It's been quite some time since we reviewed the Cost of War.
Even though there has been little actual shooting of late, we're still gallivanting around the world sticking our nose in everyone's business.
So, we find this morning's cost of war passing through:
I did time it, and it seems to be rising about $28,000 every ten seconds.
I was skimming for some stories this morning, and the next two were the first ones in my usual locations today. I found the sequencing somewhat jarring.
First, it's the Pentagon - they have apparently amassed a vast, secret, cache of cash.
The Pentagon is being accused of amassing billions of dollars by overcharging the military on fuel.
According to the Washington Post, which broke the story on Saturday, "The Pentagon has generated almost $6 billion over the past seven years by charging the armed forces excessive prices for fuel and has used the money — called the 'bishop's fund' by some critics — to bolster mismanaged or underfunded military programs, documents show."
The report notes that, in the past couple of years, money from this account has gone towards various projects including, "$450 million to shore up a prescription-drug program riddled with fraud and $1.4 billion to cover unanticipated expenses from the war in Afghanistan, according to military accounting records."
Based on standard protocols, the Pentagon's Defense Logistics Agency is in charge of purchasing fuel from major oil companies like Exxon and reselling it to the various military branches and others, notes the Wall Street Journal.
Concerns about the high fuel cost paid by for the armed services have been raised before; a 2014 CNBC report found that the branches end up spending multiple times more than civilians do. However, other factors reportedly figure into the cost, including the challenges in securing and transporting the material.
Due to the sequencing of the stories this morning, it sure looked to me like giving our soldiers a pay raise is a distraction - not that they don't deserve it, but it just struck me as an odd juxtaposition.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s pledge to boost defense spending and rebuild the American military in coming years will likely entail only modest pay and benefits adjustments for men and women in uniform.
Earlier this year, White House officials said their budget proposal (specifics of which are due out May 23) “ends the arbitrary depletion of our strength and security and begins to rebuild the U.S. armed forces.†But Trump’s proposed defense budget of $603 billion has limited fiscal flexibility. Much of the money is already spoken for in the form of expanded personnel and equipment bills coming due next year.
As a result, hikes in troops’ pay, housing stipends and related benefits will be pitted against equipment replacement, munitions upgrades and other hardware expenses. If next year's pay raise is linked to anticipated private-sector wage growth, long the standard for the military’s annual increase, it'll mean a paycheck jump of about 1.9 percent.
How would a 1.9 percent pay raise affect your income? Download a chart here showing every paygrade.
Lawmakers have already hinted they’re looking at that amount starting next January, which would translate into about $50 more per month for enlisted troops with four years service and about $115 a month for officers with six years.
On Capitol Hill, congressional Republicans hope to push the defense budget higher than the White House request. Both House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, and his Senate counterpart, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., have proposed a $640 billion base for defense, and will begin their legislative budget work with that number in mind.
Remember those $900 toilet seats we used to complain about during the Reagan era? There's always some way to defraud the American taxpayer, isn't there?
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
TriSec on 05/23/2017 12:33:40
TriSec on 05/23/2017 12:33:40
And I regret to have learned of Manchester after I had posted this. The story 'twas not present in my military news feeds.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 05/23/2017 13:11:48
wickedpam on 05/23/2017 13:11:48
Morning 
I fucking hate everything right now
I fucking hate everything right now
Comment by 
Scoopster on 05/23/2017 13:20:16
Scoopster on 05/23/2017 13:20:16
Mornin' all.. 
Comment by 
Raine on 05/23/2017 13:23:16
Raine on 05/23/2017 13:23:16
WTF - The man is afucking complete idiot.
good morning.
good morning.
Comment by Scoopster on 05/23/2017 13:29:32
Scoopster on 05/23/2017 13:29:32
A reminder: Dan Coats and John Brennan will be testifying today before Congress. Starting.. about now!
Comment by Scoopster on 05/23/2017 13:33:21
Scoopster on 05/23/2017 13:33:21
Sir Roger Moore has died.
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 13:36:13
Damn.
Raine on 05/23/2017 13:36:13
Quote by Scoopster:
Sir Roger Moore has died.
Damn.
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 13:37:13
I need a little momma right now -- and that is barely helping.
Raine on 05/23/2017 13:37:13
Quote by Scoopster:
A reminder: Dan Coats and John Brennan will be testifying today before Congress. Starting.. about now!
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 13:39:10
PRIMAL SCREAM
Raine on 05/23/2017 13:39:10
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 13:48:26
Raine on 05/23/2017 13:48:26
This seems like an extremely terrible idea -- it reminds me of B*sh getting rid of the surplus Clinton left behind.
Comment by 
BobR on 05/23/2017 13:53:48
pResident tRump's Plan to Rid the World of Terrorism
1) Call them all "losers"
2) Play golf
BobR on 05/23/2017 13:53:48
Quote by Raine:
I cannot believe this was his statement
pResident tRump's Plan to Rid the World of Terrorism
1) Call them all "losers"
2) Play golf
Comment by wickedpam on 05/23/2017 13:56:54
you forget they are "evil losers"
wickedpam on 05/23/2017 13:56:54
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
I cannot believe this was his statement
pResident tRump's Plan to Rid the World of Terrorism
1) Call them all "losers"
2) Play golf
you forget they are "evil losers"
Comment by wickedpam on 05/23/2017 13:58:17
are you f-ing serious?! Its why our gas is still low. I swear he's not going to be happy until everyone under the 1% is dead.
wickedpam on 05/23/2017 13:58:17
Quote by Raine:
This seems like an extremely terrible idea -- it reminds me of B*sh getting rid of the surplus Clinton left behind.
are you f-ing serious?! Its why our gas is still low. I swear he's not going to be happy until everyone under the 1% is dead.
Comment by Scoopster on 05/23/2017 13:58:37
I'm totally disappointed.
He made a HUGE FUCKING DEAL about saying "radical islamic terror" all during the campaign. And now he wants to say "evil losers"???
Scoopster on 05/23/2017 13:58:37
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
I cannot believe this was his statement
pResident tRump's Plan to Rid the World of Terrorism
1) Call them all "losers"
2) Play golf
you forget they are "evil losers"
I'm totally disappointed.
He made a HUGE FUCKING DEAL about saying "radical islamic terror" all during the campaign. And now he wants to say "evil losers"???
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 14:02:15
He's a dangerous idiot.
Raine on 05/23/2017 14:02:15
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
This seems like an extremely terrible idea -- it reminds me of B*sh getting rid of the surplus Clinton left behind.
are you f-ing serious?! Its why our gas is still low. I swear he's not going to be happy until everyone under the 1% is dead.
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 14:05:43
Raine on 05/23/2017 14:05:43
Whoa - Coats refuses to comment on whether Trump pressured him when McCain asks at SASC hearing.
— Eric Garland (@ericgarland) May 23, 2017
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 05/23/2017 14:26:18
I am so tired of doing this. EVERY GOD DAMN DAY! AT LEAST ONCE A DAY!
Mondobubba on 05/23/2017 14:26:18
Quote by Raine:
This seems like an extremely terrible idea -- it reminds me of B*sh getting rid of the surplus Clinton left behind.
I am so tired of doing this. EVERY GOD DAMN DAY! AT LEAST ONCE A DAY!
Comment by Scoopster on 05/23/2017 14:38:02
Scoopster on 05/23/2017 14:38:02
As requested Raine. Jump to the 1:10 mark for the quote:
Comment by Scoopster on 05/23/2017 14:43:22
Scoopster on 05/23/2017 14:43:22
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 15:03:25
I adore you, My friend!
Raine on 05/23/2017 15:03:25
Quote by Scoopster:
As requested Raine. Jump to the 1:10 mark for the quote:
I adore you, My friend!
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 15:03:42
Raine on 05/23/2017 15:03:42
Did evidence exist of collusion between Trump campaign and Russia? Here's ex-CIA director John Brennan's response. https://t.co/GaAtDDMSNT pic.twitter.com/ERxft1Szj9
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) May 23, 2017
Comment by Will in Chicago on 05/23/2017 15:24:56
Will in Chicago on 05/23/2017 15:24:56
Hello, bloggers!!
Why do I fear that we are caught up in something that someone else in a parallel universe would view as a bad comedy movie?
Why do I fear that we are caught up in something that someone else in a parallel universe would view as a bad comedy movie?
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 15:27:49
Raine on 05/23/2017 15:27:49
The gang of eight were told.
McConnell KNEW, knows, lied and is still lying about it.
Brennan: FSB head said he would relay my warning to Putin. I also personally briefed "Gang of 8" Dems and GOP in August-Sept 2016.
— Sarah Kendzior (@sarahkendzior) May 23, 2017
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/23/2017 15:27:58
So, that is a hard yes?
Mondobubba on 05/23/2017 15:27:58
Quote by Raine:Did evidence exist of collusion between Trump campaign and Russia? Here's ex-CIA director John Brennan's response. https://t.co/GaAtDDMSNT pic.twitter.com/ERxft1Szj9
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) May 23, 2017
So, that is a hard yes?
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/23/2017 15:28:47
Mondobubba on 05/23/2017 15:28:47
Quote by Scoopster:
Comment by wickedpam on 05/23/2017 15:30:20
Was that the meeting that Maxine Waters came out thoroughly pissed off?
wickedpam on 05/23/2017 15:30:20
Quote by Raine:
The gang of eight were told.Brennan: FSB head said he would relay my warning to Putin. I also personally briefed "Gang of 8" Dems and GOP in August-Sept 2016.
— Sarah Kendzior (@sarahkendzior) May 23, 2017McConnell KNEW, knows, lied and is still lying about it.
Was that the meeting that Maxine Waters came out thoroughly pissed off?
Comment by Will in Chicago on 05/23/2017 15:34:35
I am going to practice saying, President Orrin Hatch. This scandal may end up making Watergate look like amateur hour.
Will in Chicago on 05/23/2017 15:34:35
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
The gang of eight were told.Brennan: FSB head said he would relay my warning to Putin. I also personally briefed "Gang of 8" Dems and GOP in August-Sept 2016.
— Sarah Kendzior (@sarahkendzior) May 23, 2017McConnell KNEW, knows, lied and is still lying about it.
Was that the meeting that Maxine Waters came out thoroughly pissed off?
I am going to practice saying, President Orrin Hatch. This scandal may end up making Watergate look like amateur hour.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 05/23/2017 15:50:08
Will in Chicago on 05/23/2017 15:50:08
Let us remember those who died in the Manchester bombing. Not all are listed, but I have to wonder what these people would have done with full lives.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 05/23/2017 16:53:35
Will in Chicago on 05/23/2017 16:53:35
The New York Magazine has an interesting article on the HUGE math mistake at the heart of Trump's budget proposal.
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 17:31:14
That's not a mistake, Will. That is by design.
Raine on 05/23/2017 17:31:14
Quote by Will in Chicago:
The New York Magazine has an interesting article on the HUGE math mistake at the heart of Trump's budget proposal.
That's not a mistake, Will. That is by design.
But then the budget assumes $2 trillion in higher revenue from growth in order to achieve balance after ten years. So the $2 trillion from higher growth is a double-count. It pays for the Trump cuts, and then it pays again for balancing the budget. Or, alternatively, Trump could be assuming that his tax cuts will not only pay for themselves but generate $2 trillion in higher revenue. But Trump has not claimed his tax cuts will recoup more than 100 percent of their lost revenue, so it’s simply an embarrassing mistake.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 05/23/2017 17:41:42
This is indeed by design. I suspect that Trump is again showing his cluelessness. I heard that Senator John Cornyn called this budget to be a non-starter.
Will in Chicago on 05/23/2017 17:41:42
Quote by Raine:Quote by Will in Chicago:
The New York Magazine has an interesting article on the HUGE math mistake at the heart of Trump's budget proposal.
That's not a mistake, Will. That is by design.But then the budget assumes $2 trillion in higher revenue from growth in order to achieve balance after ten years. So the $2 trillion from higher growth is a double-count. It pays for the Trump cuts, and then it pays again for balancing the budget. Or, alternatively, Trump could be assuming that his tax cuts will not only pay for themselves but generate $2 trillion in higher revenue. But Trump has not claimed his tax cuts will recoup more than 100 percent of their lost revenue, so it’s simply an embarrassing mistake.
This is indeed by design. I suspect that Trump is again showing his cluelessness. I heard that Senator John Cornyn called this budget to be a non-starter.
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 18:10:42
Raine on 05/23/2017 18:10:42
More evidence #TrumpCare is a bigly disaster. GOP Rep who made bill even worse just resigned his leadership position https://t.co/WTLlzwv4ln
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) May 23, 2017
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 18:13:15
Raine on 05/23/2017 18:13:15
SHADE (again!)
Trump and Melania arrive to Rome AF1 👋 pic.twitter.com/JjXzgM6Ox3
— Daniella Diaz (@DaniellaMicaela) May 23, 2017
Comment by Will in Chicago on 05/23/2017 18:15:48
I have not seen in this country such turmoil in the Congress and the White House. I suspect that we are going to see a lot of Republicans worried that they made a HUGE mistake last year.
Will in Chicago on 05/23/2017 18:15:48
Quote by Raine:More evidence #TrumpCare is a bigly disaster. GOP Rep who made bill even worse just resigned his leadership position https://t.co/WTLlzwv4ln
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) May 23, 2017
I have not seen in this country such turmoil in the Congress and the White House. I suspect that we are going to see a lot of Republicans worried that they made a HUGE mistake last year.
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 18:18:55
HE was pretty much kicked out by the tuesday group -- they are supposed to be the moderates.
I find it interesting that they were not having his bullshit of playing footsie with the teabaggers.
Raine on 05/23/2017 18:18:55
Quote by Will in Chicago:Quote by Raine:More evidence #TrumpCare is a bigly disaster. GOP Rep who made bill even worse just resigned his leadership position https://t.co/WTLlzwv4ln
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) May 23, 2017
I have not seen in this country such turmoil in the Congress and the White House. I suspect that we are going to see a lot of Republicans worried that they made a HUGE mistake last year.
I find it interesting that they were not having his bullshit of playing footsie with the teabaggers.
Comment by wickedpam on 05/23/2017 18:31:21
Ugh - I almost long for the days of Bohner at this point.
wickedpam on 05/23/2017 18:31:21
Quote by Raine:HE was pretty much kicked out by the tuesday group -- they are supposed to be the moderates.Quote by Will in Chicago:Quote by Raine:More evidence #TrumpCare is a bigly disaster. GOP Rep who made bill even worse just resigned his leadership position https://t.co/WTLlzwv4ln
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) May 23, 2017
I have not seen in this country such turmoil in the Congress and the White House. I suspect that we are going to see a lot of Republicans worried that they made a HUGE mistake last year.
I find it interesting that they were not having his bullshit of playing footsie with the teabaggers.
Ugh - I almost long for the days of Bohner at this point.
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 18:32:52
Longer version in case people think it was a cut too soon:
Raine on 05/23/2017 18:32:52
Quote by Raine:
SHADE (again!)Trump and Melania arrive to Rome AF1 👋 pic.twitter.com/JjXzgM6Ox3
— Daniella Diaz (@DaniellaMicaela) May 23, 2017
Longer version in case people think it was a cut too soon:
President Trump arrives in Rome ahead of his first audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican tomorrow. https://t.co/6NOMBCt02j pic.twitter.com/4yC2q12B9c
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) May 23, 2017
Comment by Will in Chicago on 05/23/2017 18:41:46
We had more laughs back then -- and a MUCH better presidential administration. Honestly, I don't think that Team Trump has the know-how to run a small town.
Will in Chicago on 05/23/2017 18:41:46
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:HE was pretty much kicked out by the tuesday group -- they are supposed to be the moderates.Quote by Will in Chicago:Quote by Raine:More evidence #TrumpCare is a bigly disaster. GOP Rep who made bill even worse just resigned his leadership position https://t.co/WTLlzwv4ln
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) May 23, 2017
I have not seen in this country such turmoil in the Congress and the White House. I suspect that we are going to see a lot of Republicans worried that they made a HUGE mistake last year.
I find it interesting that they were not having his bullshit of playing footsie with the teabaggers.
Ugh - I almost long for the days of Bohner at this point.
We had more laughs back then -- and a MUCH better presidential administration. Honestly, I don't think that Team Trump has the know-how to run a small town.
Comment by wickedpam on 05/23/2017 18:49:18
wickedpam on 05/23/2017 18:49:18
WHo's he waving at? I don't hear any crowds cheering in the background.
Her whole posture is pretty stiff.
Her whole posture is pretty stiff.
Comment by 
livingonli on 05/23/2017 18:56:06
livingonli on 05/23/2017 18:56:06
I guess the Pope is not going to tell him how great he is compared to the Saudi Royal family.
Comment by wickedpam on 05/23/2017 18:57:38
I hope the Pope kicks in him the ass.
wickedpam on 05/23/2017 18:57:38
Quote by livingonli:
I guess the Pope is not going to tell him how great he is compared to the Saudi Royal family.
I hope the Pope kicks in him the ass.
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 19:23:33
Spiritually, of course.
Raine on 05/23/2017 19:23:33
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by livingonli:
I guess the Pope is not going to tell him how great he is compared to the Saudi Royal family.
I hope the Pope kicks in him the ass.
Spiritually, of course.
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 19:24:16
Her posture is that of a very pissed off woman.
Raine on 05/23/2017 19:24:16
Quote by wickedpam:
WHo's he waving at? I don't hear any crowds cheering in the background.
Her whole posture is pretty stiff.
Her posture is that of a very pissed off woman.
Comment by wickedpam on 05/23/2017 19:29:49
Part of me really wants a headline that says Pope Gets Biblical on tRump, but yes spiritually - I'm in that kind of mood.
wickedpam on 05/23/2017 19:29:49
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by livingonli:
I guess the Pope is not going to tell him how great he is compared to the Saudi Royal family.
I hope the Pope kicks in him the ass.
Spiritually, of course.
Part of me really wants a headline that says Pope Gets Biblical on tRump, but yes spiritually - I'm in that kind of mood.
Comment by Raine on 05/23/2017 20:58:02
you and me both -- I want some serious bible thumping.
Raine on 05/23/2017 20:58:02
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by livingonli:
I guess the Pope is not going to tell him how great he is compared to the Saudi Royal family.
I hope the Pope kicks in him the ass.
Spiritually, of course.
Part of me really wants a headline that says Pope Gets Biblical on tRump, but yes spiritually - I'm in that kind of mood.
Comment by Mondobubba on 05/23/2017 21:59:27
:The Pope picks a bible the size of a Manhattan phonebook and smacks Trump against the back of his head, knocking out of his seat:
Mondobubba on 05/23/2017 21:59:27
Quote by Raine:you and me both -- I want some serious bible thumping.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by livingonli:
I guess the Pope is not going to tell him how great he is compared to the Saudi Royal family.
I hope the Pope kicks in him the ass.
Spiritually, of course.
Part of me really wants a headline that says Pope Gets Biblical on tRump, but yes spiritually - I'm in that kind of mood.
:The Pope picks a bible the size of a Manhattan phonebook and smacks Trump against the back of his head, knocking out of his seat:
Comment by TriSec on 05/23/2017 23:31:24
TriSec on 05/23/2017 23:31:24
Hi all. Inching closer to certification. I have my CDL road test date (June 6), and Cambridge passed my CORI and approved my jitney license. We had the safety officer riding with us today. My tour is factually correct, but my timing needs work. Ever onward!