We should very happy about the trigger

not only does it protect the Big 3, but it gives us something we haven't had before... leverage. The GOP during negotiations on the Bush taxes cuts and the debt ceiling has been able to hold hostage Democratic priorities votes on DADT, START Treaty, extending unemployment and not crashing the world economy. But now we have leverage on the one area of government they do care about protecting military spending not even the tea party has been able to get the establishment crowd on this issue. You may remember earlier this year when Boner passed a defense spending bill over cries from the tea party kiddie table. Moreover, the leverage causes immediate pain, before the consquences in GOP's eyes was down the road. If umemployment doesn't get extended they're thinking they have until November 2012 to create a lie about it. Simply, for once, we just won't be trying to protect something we like while the other side could care less.

But an apt one.

Glad I wasn't eating lunch when I read it.

will soon be dismantled. That's why they gave that bargaining chip up. Heads they win, tails they win.

they probably could care less.

cuts they'll have to kill the fatted calf or at least shave it, even if they kill all social spending.

I tend to think they need Pax Americana and want the proceeds from those lucrative Prime contracts, at least for a good while yet so it will be interesting to see how this goes.

reverse any defense cuts triggered by the debt-ceiling bill with supplemental appropriations from this fund?

See http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=1634127&mesg_id=1634278 /

They are probably talking "caving" over defense cuts. If there is one thing they want to spend $$ on, it's that.

of the defense cut trigger

GOP Reps Uneasy About Triggered Defense Cuts
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/08/gop-reps-uneasy-about-triggered-defense-cuts.php