Despite the huge demands on the resources of the half of Americans who pay tribute to Washington, the military always requires “emergency” funding when it goes to war. The military budget keeps the planes in the air, the ships steaming around, and the troops saluting, but it doesn’t cover making war or, it seems, even being prepared to make war. Today there’s a report that U.S. military planners have asked Congress for more funding for the potential war theatre in the Strait of Hormuz.
They want money “to place mine detection and clearing equipment in and around the Strait and to boost surveillance capabilities in the Gulf.” You mean to tell me that they do not already have those capacities? Where does the money go? We all know. It costs humongous amounts to keep one soldier or staff person in a place like Afghanistan and supply them. Like $1.2 million for one person for one year.
