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Annual US Intelligence Bill Tops $80 Billion

Posted by Soulskill on from the annual-US-stupidity-bill-much-higher dept.

Ponca City writes "The LA Times reports that the US government has disclosed its annual intel budget for the first time in more than a decade: $80.1 billion on intelligence gathering, representing about 12% of the nation's $664-billion defense budget. The government revealed the total intelligence budget twice before, in 1997 and 1998, in response to a lawsuit. It was $26.6 billion and $26.7 billion, respectively, meaning the budget has tripled in 12 years. 'It is clear that the overall spending on intelligence has blossomed to an unacceptable level in the past decade,' says Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee. Dana Priest reported that more than 1,200 government agencies or offices and almost 2,000 outside contractors are involved in counter-terrorism activities, producing about 50,000 intelligence reports each year, far more than the government can effectively digest. The US is running so many secret programs that James R. Clapper Jr., director of national intelligence, said during his confirmation hearings that 'only one entity in the entire universe' knows what they're all doing, and 'that's God.'"

7 of 230 comments (clear)

  1. Why not just scarp US Intelligence by Murdoch5 · · Score: 1, Funny

    Here's what they should do, Take 10 Billion have a massive pizza party for all of the US and then give 20 Billion to Intelligence and put the rest in the economy.

    1. Re:Why not just scarp US Intelligence by mrsteveman1 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Nah, we should level an American city that isn't being useful anymore and build a waterpark. For future reference, this is the same solution I have proposed to end the israeli-palestinian conflict.

      No I don't have a newsletter.

  2. Statistics work both ways.... by johnlcallaway · · Score: 3, Funny

    Thanks for posting this. Now we now that Diane Feinstein has no business being on this committee and that James R. Clapper Jr. isn't doing his job either.

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    I rarely read replies, it's my opinion and if you thought about your opinion a little more, I'm OK with that.
  3. Re:Coicidentally, in the news today by oldspewey · · Score: 2, Funny

    I blame Stephen Colbert ... after all, the March to Keep Fear Alive is tomorrow.

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    If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
  4. And this is how it is broken down by petes_PoV · · Score: 2, Funny

    Administration: 12%

    Mistakes: 9%

    Useful work: 8%

    Coverups: 11%

    Pork:60%

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    politicians are like babies' nappies: they should both be changed regularly and for the same reasons
  5. Re:No bomb. by oldspewey · · Score: 2, Funny

    The war on toner has begun.

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    If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
  6. wasteful! by pak9rabid · · Score: 2, Funny

    Man..they should just do what I do. Send out an SCV out every once in awhile to gather intel for you. They only cost 50 minerals a pop (no gas).