Hagel Gives Dire Assessment of Choices He Expects Cuts to Force on the Pentagon

Evan Vucci/Associated Press

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel speaking on Wednesday at the Pentagon about looming across-the-board spending cuts.

THOM SHANKER | New York Times | July 31, 2013

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned on Wednesday that if across-the-board budget cuts were not lifted, the United States would have to reduce its global security objectives by trading away the size of its armed forces or its edge in technology as the Pentagon seeks to remain solvent.

In a dire assessment of the financial challenges facing the military, Mr. Hagel said the political stalemate between the White House and Congress over a comprehensive deal for taxes and spending has required the Defense Department to plan for a range of cuts, since a deal to lift the across-the-board budget cuts known as the sequester remains elusive.

Under the largest cuts the Pentagon is considering, Mr. Hagel described a trade-off: The military, he said, could maintain its size — as measured in the number of Army brigades, Navy warships, Air Force fighter squadrons and Marine expeditionary units — but not buy the most advanced new weapons. Or, he said, the Pentagon could shrink the force and put money into the next generation of weaponry.

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DEA raids pot shops in state where marijuana is legal

Operation Mallorca, US Drug Enforcement Administration, 2005 “News from DEA, News Releases, 06/14/05”. Usdoj.gov . . Retrieved 2011-03-27 . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Stephen C. Webster | Raw Story | July 25, 2013

The Drug Enforcement Administration swooped in on several medical marijuana storefronts in Washington on Wednesday, despite the state’s law allowing marijuana possession.

Raids took place in Pierce, King and Thurston counties, a DEA spokesperson told The Associated Press. They were reportedly targeted by a two-year investigation into dispensaries thought to be laundering money and selling marijuana under the table to unlicensed buyers.

Three shops raided on Wednesday include Seattle Cross, Tacoma Cross and Bayside Collective, according to defense attorney Douglas Hiatt, who spoke to KING-TV. He said at least one other shop was targeted, but added that one of his clients was told up to 18 raids might take place.

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