Real Security
Debunked: Ten Conservative Myths About National Security
September 12th, 2008
In the seven years since the U.S. was hit by a terrorist attack, a few of the myths promulgated in those first few years have hardened firmly into a new conventional wisdom—some so stubbornly that you often won't even find progressives questioning them any more. The time has come to call out a few of these persistent myths that are still being taken as fact and start firing back on them.
Russia's Monroe Doctrine
Russia’s concern is that NATO is creating new dividing lines designed to isolate Russia from the European community. Russians are afraid they’ll wake up one morning and find themselves alone.... more »
Crisis Marks Out New Geopolitical Order
The wreckage of the financial system holds up a mirror to the changing geopolitical balance. It offers advice, and a warning, as to what the west should make of the emerging global order. ... more »
Internationalism and the Progressive Movement
One of the finest traditions of the American left has been its historic commitment to solidarity with the oppressed and poverty-stricken peoples of the world. In the last few years, however, the progressive movement has become far too insular. We have too often neglected our internationalist responsibilities–especially when it comes to confronting the ravages of world poverty.... more »
The Case
Shorter Tours of Duty in Iraq?
"With an effective date of August 1st, this means that not one troop will benefit from this deployment reduction until August 2009--seven months into the next Presidential administration." -- VetVoice's Brandon Friedman, 4/10/08more »
President's Security Budget Shortchanges Security
Actually, the president’s 2009 budget is way out of balance, throwing money at the military and on feared future terrorist threats while shortchanging the everyday security needs of the American people. The budget cuts homeland security grants to state and local governments by 48 percent — a whopping $2 billion. That includes a 79 percent cut in the largest state homeland security grant program, a 60 percent cut to firefighters, a 56 percent cut to transit security grants, and a 48 percent reduction to port security grants. Plus, the office that investigates waste, fraud and abuse in the Department of Homeland Security is being cut $7 million.
If the administration was really focused on homeland security, the Department of Homeland Security, with a proposed 6.8 percent budget increase, to more than $50 billion — would be able to adequately fund programs for first responders who are not only at the front lines of reacting to a disaster, but are at the first lines of prevention as well. The administration would also fund the dozens of other initiatives — from crime-prevention programs at the Department of Justice to youth programs at the Department of Education — that contribute to making our nation safer but whioh have been given the cold shoulder by conservative government.more »
Facts & Resources
Costs of Worn-out Iraq Equipment High
The U.S. Government Accountability Office reports that it will take years and cost about $200 billion to repair or replace equipment that was worn out or broken in the Iraq war.
Defense Budget is Over $1 Trillion a Year
At $700 billion, the defense budget is about equal to the combined military spending of the rest of the world. Add in the cost of caring for our veterans, arms aid in the State Department budget, homeland security measures, and more, and actual spending climbs to over $1 trillion a year.
The News
Canceled Iraq Contracts Cost $600 Billion
November 18th, 2008
State Department "Under-Resourced"
November 17th, 2008
The Voices
No Time to Sing Kumbaya
We cannot just ignore Bush's crimes and incompetence because Obama got elected. more »
Blackwater Busted?
After more than five years of rampant violence and misconduct carried out by the massive army of private corporate contractors in Iraq — actions that have gone totally unpunished under any system of law — the US Justice Department appears to be on the verge of handing down the first indictments against armed private forces for crimes committed in Iraq.more »
Latest from our Bloggers
nov
7
2008
3:45 pm
3:45 pm
oct
20
2008
10:46 am
10:46 am
Sen. Barack Obama will get a small bump from Gen. Colin Powell's endorsement of his presidential campaign. But what's far more intriguing—and potentially troubling—is what Obama's own embrace of Powell means in terms of policy.more »
sep
30
2008
10:27 am
10:27 am
The worst financial crisis since the Great Depression has shattered the conservative illusions about deregulation and market fundamentalism. But the equally costly illusions about America’s role as an “indispensable nation” policing the globe go without challenge. We remain prisoners of war. more »
sep
12
2008
1:18 pm
1:18 pm
My weekly newspaper column, out today in national papers, takes a hard look at the Republican convention, and specifically, at the notion that the GOP puts "country first." You can read it here. more »
jul
31
2008
9:47 am
9:47 am
Our nation’s infrastructure is dying of old age and neglect. The solution is obvious: Repair and rebuild. We can't allow conservatives to have us running scared from this issue.more »
jul
21
2008
11:08 am
11:08 am
Netroots Nations participants have four clear priorities for the next president: ending the war in Iraq, addressing the global warming crisis, obtaining health care for all and clsing the growing gap between the rich and poor, according to a straw poll done by Democracy Corps and the Campaign for America's Future. more »
jun
17
2008
6:06 pm
6:06 pm
MINNEAPOLIS - During this whirlwind book tour, I've had trouble keeping up with the minute-to-minute trajectory of television's political debate. However, I didn't know that it is now considered out of bounds to talk about John McCain's support for staying in Iraq for 100 years. more »
jun
13
2008
11:17 am
11:17 am
McClatchy Newspapers is scheduled on Sunday to release a major investigation of the facts behind the detention of some 66 people in Guantanamo Bay and in Afghanistan by the U.S. government. more »
