Defense Secretary Robert Gates today tried to put the best face on the White House’s decision to enforce on the military additional cuts beyond an already stringent defense budget, and beyond the reductions Gates had already volunteered. So the military, having uniquely in the government received almost no stimulus funds, and having uniquely already volunteered some spending cuts, now faces a reduction in the end strength of the Army and the Marine Corps, among other things. 

Well, hey, it’s a peace dividend. Only we’re not at peace.