AND NOW THE DETAILS – AT 6:14 P.M. ET:  We can talk about cutting the budget, but we must be careful of what we cut:

OTTAWA, Canada (AP) — Defense Secretary Robert Gates is accusing Congress of dumping what he calls a "crisis on my doorstep" by holding the Pentagon to last year's spending levels.

He said this has the potential to create a $23 billion budget gap this year that could weaken a wartime military.

Gates says it is increasingly likely that Congress will not act on the Pentagon's 2011 budget request — which would have the effect of forcing the Pentagon to make do with last year's amount.

Gates is warning of emergency cuts to make ends meet.

COMMENT:  Gates is one of the grownups in this administration.  When he speaks, we should listen.  Irresponsible cuts in defense only mortgage our future, and bring us back to the pre- World War II days.  Yes, the defense budget must be examined for excess and unneeded acquisitions, but when Bob Gates says he has a problem that could weaken our defenses, responsible people must listen.

January 27, 2011