To the Point
Amid Stiff Budget Cuts, the Pentagon Gets a Raise
In the rage to cut spending and reduce the deficit, the Pentagon's getting an increase. Critics say it provides both too much and too little of what America needs.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenIn the rage to cut spending and reduce the deficit, one department that's getting an increase is the Pentagon. But critics say it provides both too much and too little of what America needs. We look at the "Military-Industrial-Congressional" Complex. Also, Japan's nuclear accident is now rated 7 on a scale of 7—equaling Chernobyl in 1986. How are they the same? How are they different?
Banner image: US Marine Corps CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters arrive outside Combat Outpost Kharman, Afghanistan, to pick up Marines with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1 and Afghan National Army soldiers to initiate Operation Watchtower on March 23, 2011. DoD photo: Cpl. Orlando Perez, US Marine Corps
In this episode
3 storiesDetails of Budget Cuts Revealed
The $38.5 billion deal to keep the government open was finally agreed to by the President and Congressional leaders only an hour before the midnight deadline on Friday. Not until 11pm last night were the details revealed. Dan Friedman is covering the story for the National Journal .
Read the story8 minIs the Pentagon Worth the Money?
Details of budget cuts that kept the government open are now being revealed. Despite some accounting gimmicks, reductions will cause real pain. Bus as the Senate and Congress decide whether to ratify Friday's budget deal , one department getting an increase spends some 20 percent of America's tax dollars.
Read the story38 minJapanese Government Equates Fukushima Disaster to Chernobyl
The explosion at Chernobyl, Ukraine, in 1986 set the standard as the worst accident in the history of nuclear power. Today, the government of Japan officially upgraded the Fukushima-Daiichi disaster to equal Chernobyl, giving it 7 on a scale of 7.
Read the story5 min
