Annoying

This article in today's Washington Post really annoyed me.

It is about how the Department's costs are skyrocketing now that it is being asked to take over much of the military's role in Iraq as the military withdraws. and how Congress is annoyed about it and is slashing our budget.

Really? It is okay for DOD to spend a bazillion dollars on security in Iraq but not for the State Department to need an additional $400 million because costs have gone up (and maybe they have gone up because the situation there has changed?)?

What really griped me was this quote: "'They need a dose of fiscal reality,' a senior Senate aide said, speaking on the condition of anonymity amid ongoing negotiations over the State Department funding."

So brave that he would say that without giving his name. And such a crock that he would say we need to learn fiscal responsibility, unlike say, Congress? Or even DOD, which is really trying to move away from single bidder contracts that result in $4000 toilet seats and hammers?

We have a job to do in Iraq. We want to do it. But doing it costs money.