Stark Raving Crazy

Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) has once again embarrassed himself and his constituents if they caught his latest looniness. As the vote on the war supplemental spending bill in the House was on the floor, Stark noticed 20 flag rank Army officers sitting in the Gallery watching the debate and vote. They observed for about two hours. According to the Weekly Standard, Stark said, "At a time when our nation is at war, our troops are over-extended, and the Administration is literally asking for emergency military spending, what good to the "war on terror" is having US Generals and other top ranked officers - who were likely accompanied by staff and escorted by their chauffeurs - spending hours sitting in the gallery of the House of Representatives?" "Please provide for me the name, rank, branch, and duties of each of these officers, as well as the number of additional staff and drivers that were used to facilitate their attendance yesterday. I would like this information by Monday, May 19th."

So, who were these people in question by the anti-war, nasty Congressman from California? A class from the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. Did Stark apologize for his hatred, and bullying screed? No. He issued a statement, as the cowards do : "If these officers were hoping for a lesson in how Congress ought to work, then perhaps the Iraq supplemental wasn't the best debate for them to witness." What an arrogant ass. While he throws his idiocy around, he'll also tell them what they should be watching.

The funding has been held up. No surprise with a Democrat controlled Congress who likes to make the war in Iraq and Afghanistan a political football instead of pulling together for the sake of the troops. Secretary of Defense Gates said before the Senate Appropriations Committee recently, "After June 15, we will run out of funds in the account to pay soldiers, including those in Iraq and Afghanistan." "Around July 5, O&M funds across the services will run out, starting with the Army. This may result in civilian furloughs, limits on training, and curbing family support activities."

Senate Majority Leader (the term leader used lightly here) said that a funding bill for the war in Iraq is not likely before the Memorial Day recess. Don't want to actually get any work done that might support those troops they claim to support or let it interrupt a few vacation days.

Where's all the praise from the we-support-the-troops Democrat leadership over the victory in Sadr City recently performed by the Iraqi troops? The ones trained by the American and coalition troops. The ones the Democrats keep bitching about that aren't trained and taking over quickly enough? And that al-Maliki has camped out in Mosul as the Iraqi troops finish taking over there, too? No, no. In an election year, we must yammer about failed policies and neo-cons. No recognition when recognition is due. That would be what? Oh yeah. Supporting the troops.