$400 Million for War Allies ("remembering" Poland)

[Rose Siding]

The $80 billion war-funding request that President Bush plans to send Congress next week will include $400 million to help nations that have troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Poland, a staunch ally in Iraq, is earmarked to receive one-fourth of the money.

The White House announced the fund, dubbed the "solidarity initiative," after Bush's meeting yesterday with Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski.

"These funds . . . reflect the principle that an investment in a partner in freedom today will help ensure that America will stand united with stronger partners in the future," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said in a statement. "This assistance will support nations that have deployed troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as other partners promoting freedom around the world."
...
"Poland has been a fantastic ally because the president and the people of Poland love freedom," Bush said in announcing that Poland is earmarked to receive $100 million.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12168-2005Feb9.html

[Todd B]

1. Oops, screw helping out own citizens.. we can't forget about Poland!

"Poland has been a fantastic ally because the president and the people of Poland love freedom," Bush said in announcing that Poland is earmarked to receive $100 million.

Argh, so anyone who doesn't support the Republi-nazi's don't love freedom now?

Amazing, isn't it?

We have to cut our funding to America's first responders, medicare/medicaid, and thousands of more programs just so Poland can get $100 million dollars and we can pump another $80 billion dollars into Vietnam II?!

{Sigh} I keep hoping that this is really bizarro world and I'll wake up realizing that this is just a horrible dream and we actually have a REAL President sitting in the White House and our country ISN'T going to hell.

Well I'm on this subject - is it completely wrong of me to hope that at least some Senators stand up and NOT vote for this funding bill (Iraq)? I know that we "have to support the troops" and all, but can't we just put our foot down and tell Bush... "No, STOP throwing our money away you DOLT!"?

[asjr]

2. Do you think the Poles will ever really

see the money? Bush is full of rich rhetoric, but really cheap with us.

[NC_Nate]

3. hummm...

[moondust]

4. Sycophancy has its rewards.

Which could conceivably be offset by war crimes trials for naked international aggression.

[pinniped]

5. Blood $$$$.

Another source:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2005/02/09/national/w151431S61.DTL

--Presidunce Bush is asking Congress to set up a $400 million fund to reward nations that have taken political and economic risks to join U.S.-led coalitions in Iraq and Afghanistan.--

I guess all the other countries in the world hate freedom.:eyes:

--"Poland has been a fantastic ally because the president and the people of Poland love freedom,"--

[emad]

6. US plans $400m reward for allies

BBC

US President George W Bush is asking Congress for $400m (£215m) to reward a number of countries that sent troops to Afghanistan and Iraq.

A White House spokesman said the money would "assist nations which have taken political and economic risks".

The fund is part of a $80bn war funding request President Bush will send to Congress next week.

It is thought the money could prove an incentive for countries to stay in Iraq. Several nations have withdrawn.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4252601.stm

[cthrumatrix]

7. I thought it was coaltion of the willing --- not the "paid/bribed"

[emad]

8. Mercenaries anonymous....

[underpants]

9. Sounds like a lowball number

They should threaten to leave and hold out for more.

[applegrove]

10. Canada went to Korea!!

$$$$$$$$

[GiovanniC]

12. And Vietnam Too, According to Ann the Man!

The U.S. should pay up immediately!

What a fucking joke this administration is.

[applegrove]

13. I know, I know. There, there - it will be okay. Some day your country

I know, I know. There, there - it will be okay.

Some day your country will belong to the people again. And if not - we will welcome all the blue folk to Canada with open arms.

It will be okay!:grouphug:

[GiovanniC]

16. I Live an Hour From the Border

Be ready for me.

[DavidDvorkin]

11. Allies are so hard to find

That we have to offer a $400 million reward to anyone who can find us one!

An alternate interpretation of the headline. But not really all that alternate.

[applegrove]

14. ROTFLMAO! Good one!

:bounce:

[Supersedeas]

17. Frat Boy culture -- buying friends is a way of life

[Redstone]

15. Too bad about those hungry kids

in America, and their schools, and people who need medicine, and Amtrak, and highway repairs, and on and on and on and on.

There's no money for THEM, but almost half a billion to "reward our friends."

Excuse me while I go barf up my breakfast.

Redstone