Katrina cited as deficit likely to top $400B (Uhh, Iraq? CNN/Reuters?)

[evilkumquat]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The White House said on Thursday deficit spending in the 2006 budget would soar above $400 billion, well over a July forecast, and the election-year jolt was blamed largely on Hurricane Katrina costs.

The new deficit projection was likely to further intensify a debate leading up to mid-term elections in November on whether to renew President George W. Bush's tax cuts that he says are essential for economic growth but which Democrats say are a drain on the budget.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/12/bush.budget.reut/index.html

Nowhere in the article did the word "Iraq" appear.

I even did a search to make certain.

[BOSSHOG]

1. And the ignorant lemmings will go merrily on their way

spouting the latest talking point. Money spent on katrina relief is an investment in America, money we are spending in Iraq is a waste of tax dollars to satisfy the war lust of "christian conservatives." And tax cuts for millionaires won't be mentioned as a cause of the deficit (by the white house,) because conservative republicans are never responsible for anything. Listen for a conservative near to you blame katrina victims for the deficit, in other words bush has nothing to do with it. Is there happiness and pleasure in life being an ignorant slave buffoon of a political machine?

[CottonBear]

4. Blaming the victim is the GOP's favorite tactic.

You know, it works so well for them. :(

[uppityperson]

2. But you see Katrina was not expected.

I mean, who would ever have thought such a thing could occur, hence no money was put aside just in case, while the Iraq freedom struggle is a commitment that we cannot hold against any monies so there you are.
:sarcasm:

[BOSSHOG]

6. I appreciate your sarcasm, but

the FEMA budget is easily cited as "money put aside just in case." Its the governments "rainy day" fund if you will, although in the hands of heartless conservative bastards it does result in waste and the corresponding blame game is part of their plan. That can not be argued away.

[uppityperson]

9. Yup, waste and blame and yes I know what FEMA money is

I live across the country from you but we here are faced with impending doom which will most likely result in results like you had, with responses like you got, to a certain extent. FEMA money is put away for "rainy days" (earthquakes) but much of it has been wasted, used incompetentally, and I don't see this as being what puts the budget over budget. I should have said "not enough money put away and not enough compatent people in place to appropriate it and use it correctly".

[BOSSHOG]

13. Isn't it amazing

that the party of small government, conservatism, and fiduciary responsibility could fuck up a budget so easily? I spend a couple hours a month working on our household budget to ensure we stay in the black, accounting for rainy days and all. Its relatively easy if you stay on top of it. Republicans are incredibly wreckless with our money. If I weren't so trusting I'd suspect it was an intentional act?!?

[CottonBear]

3. I heard that on AAR Radio News this morning & I almost ran off the road.

Of course, the announcer was simply repeating the Bush Administration statement verbatim.

Good god, I'm sure that the ignorant sheeple will fall for this hook, line and sinker as the US falls further into the biggest financial hole we've ever dug for ourselves. :(

[hatrack]

5. They're absolutely correct - Iraq spending is all "supplementals"

Therefore it doesn't appear in the budget at all.

This means that the total debt load - budget deficit PLUS all those military supplementals for Iraq and Afghanistan is probably closer to, oh, I dunno, $600 billion? $650 billion?

[central scrutinizer]

7. The new trifecta

Katrina, Rita and bird flu. These will help cover up the billions stolen by Bushco cronies.

[lies and propaganda]

8. cant wait for the first time

Bushco fucks up and Says Katrina instead of 911, or vice versa.

Scumbags have flushed my whole fucking homestate down the dtrain.
I planned on raising my oneday children in NOLA.

[bluestateguy]

10. The excuse presidency

Katrina, 9/11, recession, Iraq war, and every other excuse.

We have not had a balanced buget under a Republican president since 1969.

[wookie294]

16. Yeah, but the debt has grown exponentially since 1980

[gizmo1979]

11. How much have they spent on katrina?

From the pictures I've seen lately not much.

[Zenlitened]

12. Excellent point re: no mention of Iraq. I've been doing the same thing...

... searching for any mention of Iraq spending.

Without that, these so-called "news stories" are COMPLETELY without meaning.

Completely.

This "discussion" of the federal budget has NO MEANING.

I'm still amazed -- although it should have sunk in by now -- how utterly worthless the media has become.

That something like this could even make it out of the newsroom... it's unbelievable. :grr:

[Rambis]

14. This is the thread

there was a report that had the details of Bush and Gore's proposed spending programs if elected.
Gore 1.3 Trillion Bush 1.9 Trillion.
There was also a report from some budget office that said without 911 and the Iraq War bush would spend us into oblivion. I have no idea where I saw it. Help?

[wookie294]

15. Notice MSM never blames Iraq for high gas prices

High gas prices are blamed entirely on China, not Iraq.

[Zenlitened]

17. Contact Reuters' Washington Bureau:

Since they lack the integrity to put a byline on their shabby reporting, you might wish to contact the Washington Bureau Chief, Rob Doherty, directly:

E-mail: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]


All they have to do -- the bare minimum -- in order to satisfy the requirements of basic journalism is add a line to the effect of "The budget figures do not include Iraq spending."

That's all. It's that simple.

[depakid]

18. You're expecting CNN to report the truth?

They've been running cover for Bush and the Republicans since day one. And they'll keep on doing it- as long as people watch them or click on their site.

You might as well watch Fox. or read the National Enquirer. The corporate media isn't going to give you any honest analysis on how our money's being spent.

[shraby]

19. The Iraq war is off-budget, remember?