Did you feel the earth move this week?

Defense Secretary Gates proposed the reduction or cancellation of several weapons systems in order to re-order spending priorities to better address the wars we are more likely to fight.

I have two links for you. One will be to a December 21, 2008 NY Times Editorial about what they recommended be done in the budget. Many of those things came to be. The other is a Google search offering you a variety of  news reports of what actually happened.

Regarding the first link, I'll tell you I find their recommendations about personnel expansion in the Army and Marines unrealistic unless we go back to a lottery draft.  I also find their recommendations for a reduced Navy and Air Force short sighted.

With regard to weapon system and other cuts, I know there are those who say we have no need for these weapons. Allow me a bit of Araments 101 education.

In World War II, we had the luxury of the protection of two oceans. Those oceans gave us the time and distance to catch up with our opponents. We no longer have that protection. Wars are come as you are affairs and we cannot create superior weapons systems overnight. Maintaining weapons superiority means active and continuous research and development, as well as the maintenance of a warm industrial base capable of producing those weapons. They are the insurance policy that deters aggressors.

Simultaneously, we can have such a commitment to weapons we provide a drag on our ability to do other things providing for our welfare. As I have said before, the way to find the balance between the two is to have honest debate. The way to have honest debate is to ensure all members of our society find their children equally at risk to go and fight with the equipment we provide.

To do otherwise is to invite abuse and wrong headedness.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/opinion/21sun1.html?_r=2&th&emc=th

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=2010+Defense+Budget+%2B+Secretary+Gates&aq=f&oq=