It's only money

Where, you might ask, does your hard-earned taxpayer money go? Well, in the House version of the 2009 supplemental appropriations bill, Pakistan will get $1.9 billion in various forms of non-military assistance and $400 million to build the counterinsurgency capabilities of the Pakistani security forces.

Meanwhile, Admiral Mike Mullen, the U.S. chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, confirmed that the Pakistani government is increasing its stockpile of nuclear weapons.

Some $665 million in the House appropriations bill is earmarked for bilateral economic, humanitarian and security assistance for the West Bank and Gaza. Additional funds for the West Bank and Gaza will come out of the total of $343 million identified for worldwide refugee assistance.

These funds presumably will remain in despite the fact that Hamas, which controls Gaza, continues to refuse to recognize Israel's right to exist. (Thanks to Jihad Watch.)