[Bedford Forrest]

Consider the source.

[TopQuark]

If true, this is indeed blackmail. Regardless of legality, it's truly unbecoming to see this in our government.

And the worst part is, no other senators give a d--n.

[FairWitness]

The Senate is really one screwed up organization, what with this and filibusters.

[Dave S]

Time for Bush to cut him off at the knees. Eliminate all pork for his state and make sure he dont get Jack Shit.

Either that or activate all Idaho National Guard units and send them overseas UNTIL Craig relents. Maybe after 2 or 3 years of overseas duty he will want his people back rather than a few planes.

[Drango]

Senator Craig has no right to take his beef out on the men and women of the Air Force. Shame on him, and more shame on the Senate that allows this BS.

[Jhoffa_]

I don't think this is right.. Even if the AF did go back on their word, that's not the fault of those men who earned their promotions.

They earned it, so give them their damn promotions already and stop punishing them for the sins of their superiors..

[McGavin999]

I'm going to wait before I pass judgement on Senator Craig, but if it turns out to be true, it's beyond disgraceful, it's absolutely reprehensable.

[Teacher317]

Oh joy. Now the GOP has discovered the wonders of obstructionism to further individual goals.

[thegreatbeast]

A number of things:
The Air Force today has nothing to do with the Air Force extant seven years ago, thank God! Craig is presenting a bill to a new management that has no responsibility for the bill.
Craig should be spoken to quietly. I don't doubt that Secretary Rumsfeld can make this guy an offer he can't refuse. Hopefully, it will be behind closed doors as you don't want the kids to see this!
Geez Louise, how many times are we going to have these base reductions? Where did this idea of having 5 or 6 companies(AOLTIMEWARNERSEARSSONYTARGETCOKE.com) or 5 or 6 bases is the best way to go? This base closing process has been going on for an awful long time.
A lot of analysis is still going on regarding the War in Iraq. We are hardly over the first blush of a campaign well executed. A little time might serve while we digest who did what over ther and over here. I don't see rushing to give high brass more brass. It'll keep.

[Chu Gary]

Orders are orders. A set of orders could be cut, 4 130's land and the crew unpacks, etc. Two days later after this idiot changes his stance, the 130's get TAD orders to another location or PCS orders depending on the status of the moron's position.

[Cicero]

This strikes me as really bizarre. He may have some reason for doing this that the NY Times isn't reporting, but I can't imagine what it is.

I usually say "consider the source," but this kind of conduct just won't wash.

[FairOpinion]

"Under a Senate practice intended to encourage consensus, any senator can block action indefinitely and anonymously on a nomination, promotion or legislation."

---

This is preposterous. ONE Senator can hold up the entire Senate INDEFINITELY, and anonymously, yet!!!

It's time to change the rules.

[Lucy Lake]

Ping

[DakotaGator]

If this is true, it's an outrage!

One of the things that makes the country strong is that our Armed Forces are not political. If Senator Craig is doing this he is politicizing the Armed Forces. And he should be recalled now!

[optik_b]

It is pathetic that these hick states like Idaho can hold sway and get money out of all the other states because of the institution of the Senate that rewards them with 2 senators despite the fact they have 1/100th the population of states like California and Texas.

[SCHROLL]

Tell Mr. Craig in no uncertain terms either he backs off or is in line for the Trafficant treatment. No more committee asignments, no more pork, and no more of his BS.

[dogbyte12]

Think of those 850 officers, and their families. Many of them risking their lives in combat, and their reward is to be a blackmail threat from a Senator. I don't give a crap if he is a republican. We can't play that nonsense. This is wrong, wrong, wrong.

I hope the Idaho members here send some nasty calls and letters Craig's way.

Picture this... a pilot has just flown several dangerous runs, gets back, is due a promotion. Maybe he and the wife can take a little vacation, buy a house with the extra income that was well deserved. There are stories like that going on right now.

Craig obviously thinks that his pork is more important than these families. Honestly though, I would bet that 90 out of 100 senators feel the same way though. Most of the lot are bastards. They do not represent we the people anymore, if they ever did.

Think about that next time as you travel out of W. Virginia on the Robert Byrd Highway, or the Trent Lott shipbuilding boondoggle that you all are paying for by working longer hours, spending less time with your family in the process.

Hey Senator Craig, I know a good place to shove one of your planes. It's where the sun don't shine.

[leadpenny]

With the Estrada Filibuster, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

I celebrate gridlock.

[technomage]

IF this is true it is yet another prime example of the only thing that can hurt Republicans in the upcoming election: THEMSELVES!!

[Centurion2000]

Senator Larry E. Craig of Idaho

.... notice ..... no political affliation listed. 100 to 1 he's a demoncrat.