·:[ Sound and Fury ]:·
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Congressional reaction from the Pentagon’s list of bases to be closed was what we expected. According to key players, the military knows nothing about how to run a military.

Are we to really believe that the people preparing the recommendations are incompetent? And that the Senators who are losing jobs in their states are the truly competent ones, with only the best interest of the country at heart? And that they are the only ones who can save the misguided military from themselves? How good of them.

Samplings follow:

• Maine:
  • Losing: DFAS Limestone, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
  • Senator Olympia Snow says, “Today’s decision … is nothing short of stunning, devastating and, above all, outrageous.”
  • Senator Snowe, Senator Collins, Rep. Allen, and Rep. Michaud say, “Including DFAS Limestone on the BRAC list is yet another example of an ill-advised military closure, which we will protest.”
• South Dakota:
  • Losing: Ellsworth Air Force Base
  • Senator Tim Johnson says, “Secretary Rumsfeld and the Department of Defense have failed to recognize the invaluable contribution Ellsworth Air Force Base makes to our national security”
• Texas:
  • Losing: 2,624 jobs at Sheppard Air Force base(although some are remaining in-state).
  • Senator John Cornyn says, “It is entirely conceivable that they made mistakes in the original inquiry.”
  • Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison says, “I can’t imagine any place better to relocate missions than Sheppard Air Force Base.”