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Bill Authorizes Celebration of Unrealized Victory

Even as U.S. military leaders voice their concerns that the conflict in Iraq continues to devolve into all-out civil war, a recent bill passed by the United States Congress before the end of its latest calendar year authorized the spending of $20 million for a "commemoration of success" in the War on Terror. The provisions have caused concern among Democrats who say the GOP snuck the language into legislation. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid`s(D-NV) office said, "If the Bush administration is planning victory celebrations, Americans deserve to know what their plan is to get us to a victory in Iraq."

However, Republicans dispute the claim that victory is far off, with Carolyn Weyforth, a spokeswoman for Bill Frist (R-TN), the Senate Majority Leader, stating "Republicans are confident we will be victorious in the ongoing war on terror, and we look forward to a time when those funds can be used to honor the men and women who have risked and given their lives." Under the language of the provisin, the president could "designate a day of celebration" to honor troops serving in the two wars.

President Bush also could call on the nation "to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities", issue awards to troops who have served honorably, and enables the Pentagon - scene of an ongoing "rebellion" of sorts against Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld over alleged mishandling of the war in Iraq - could spend up to $20 million of its $532 billion budget in 2007 for the "celebration", minus any private contributions it might receive for such an event.