[MARTIAL MONK]

"What we would do in this bill is effectively fund the purchase of new aircraft that we neither need nor can afford with critical sustainment money," he said. "That would have a significant impact on our ability to provide the day-to-day operational funding that our servicemen and women and their families deserve."

The article mentions Kit Bonds (R - Gooberville) but I know that McCain is being pressed hard by Retired Air Force guys out of Prescott and also getting a lot of feedback from Luke. They are more concerned about maintaining the Force as a functional unit than new hardware or toys.

[NonValueAdded]

Yep, I think our FRiends are jumping to the wrong conclusion. The Senate is chopping $4B from Obama's request and Lord knows how much Obama chopped from what was needed in the first place. More planes but no fuel to fly 'em, no maintenance budget to maintain 'em, and not enough troops to be carried by 'em.