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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Bald Eagle who wrote (213471)	12/31/2001 7:58:44 AM
From: John Carragher	Respond to of 769670

President Signs Bills Boosting Intelligence, Defense Spending Associated Press CRAWFORD, Texas -- President Bush signed a bill Friday to raise intelligence spending, but warned Congress he won't turn over documents that he thinks could compromise national security. The president also signed a $343 billion defense bill that gives what he wanted for his missile defense program, provides the largest military pay raises in two decades and sets up a new round of base closures. Bases will be closed in 2005, two years later than Mr. Bush had wanted. He said in a written statement that he regretted the postponement. In signing the intelligence bill, Mr. Bush objected to a provision that he said "purports to require" the administration to file written reports to congressional committees on intelligence failures. He said in a separate statement that he reserved the authority to "withhold information the disclosure of which could impair foreign relations, the national security, the deliberative processes of the executive (branch) or the performance of the executive's constitutional duties." He said his intent was to "protect intelligence sources and methods and other exceptionally sensitive matters" and did not rule out providing verbal briefings to congressional panels. The intelligence bill places new emphasis on traditional human spy networks in combating terrorism. It would increase spending by 8%, compared with the 7% increase Mr. Bush sought. Besides focusing new attention and money on spies, the new law aims to increase the portion of collected data to be analyzed and turned into useful information. Intelligence spending levels generally are kept secret. In 1998, the CIA revealed in response to a lawsuit filed by the Federation of American Scientists that spending totaled $26.6 billion in 1997 and $26.7 billion in 1998, the federation's Steven Aftergood said. Since then, it's been estimated at about $30 billion a year. The new law sets out four intelligence priorities: Revitalizing the National Security Agency, which gathers and analyzes information from broadcasts, computers and other electronic communication. It shifts the agency's focus from intercepting broadcasts to tapping fiber-optic communication lines. Correcting deficiencies in human spy networks. Increasing the percentage of data collected that is converted into useful intelligence. Financing a research and development initiative, which will reverse declining investment in these areas. The law also facilitates getting roving wiretaps by amending a law that requires agents to tap individual instruments at a given location. Modern communications have brought to widespread use moving targets such as cellular phones, with locations that keep changing. Under the law, if an agent is unaware of a target's location, it does not have to be listed. The defense legislation Mr. Bush signed authorizes spending for the budget year that began Oct. 1 for the Defense Department and military programs of the Energy Department. It contains a $33 billion increase, up 10.6%, over 2001 spending, which matches Mr. Bush's request. A separate appropriations bill must be passed before the money can be spent. Military service members would get pay raises of 5% to 10%, effective next Tuesday. The bill provides more help with housing costs and a major boost in construction spending, including improvements to family housing. On missile defense, Mr. Bush would get his full $8.3 billion request, a $3.1 billion increase over 2001. Mr. Bush also signed off on plans to create a national museum to recognize the contributions of black Americans. The law creates a presidential commission to handle planning and logistics for a National Museum of African-American History and Culture. Copyright © 2001 Associated Press

To: Bald Eagle who wrote (213471)	12/31/2001 9:29:40 AM
From: JDN	Respond to of 769670

Dear Baldie: Better than any other observer of the Clintons, Barbara understood that it was all about self-indulgence, SELF INDULGENCE, when it comes to the Clinton's that one statement SAYS IT ALL. I think many of us must admit, it even caught us up in it with the ballooning stock market and all. Now its time to PAY THE PIPER. Isnt that always the way it is? jdn

To: Bald Eagle who wrote (213471)	12/31/2001 10:29:05 AM
From: rich4eagle	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 769670

I quit reading your post when you credited Clinton with the responsibility for our terrorist problems. Mr. Clinton just as Mr. Bush did what he could to stop terrorism. Do you really think the right wingers would have supported Clinton bombing the crap out of Afghan for two months without getting Osama. He would be unmercifully attacked. The point is that Sept 11 occurred on Bush's watch. It is not Clinton's fault but our Government was asleep at the switch under Bush's rule. I certainly cannot blame Clinton nor do I blame Bush. But if some folks here would put totally biased asinine petty politics aside perhaps the US would have been more prepared and also respond properly to needs of our Country and our fragile tiny planet in the future. Clinton tried to go forward, he was rejected, Bush is trying, let's see whether we go backward or forward. May the world find lasting peace and have a Happy New Year and please look at all the two year olds before you are so ready to begin lobbing nukes at every potential enemy