Not really. When you’re facing multiple nations with citizens who will gladdly blow themselves up to kill you, military strength is needed. Ergo, budget is needed.

Plus, the military requires far more sophisticated, complex and plentiful equipment than negotiators, therefore a larger budget is required.

The military also requires more people, supplies and all the accessories that go with (housing, transportation, storage etc) which ups the budget.

Congress of course is taking the Maxwell Smart route by downgrading from a full batallion down to one squadron down to two angry boy scouts.

When someone is holding a gun to your head and is intent on killing you because they believe you are the devil, talking to them and “making nice” is not in the cards.

If the democrats want to negotiate however, I think that is a fantastic idea. Send them all over after they sign a waiver that will instruct all military persons to stay away from them and their discussions. They will be on their own with nothing but their diplomacy to help them. After all, that’s all they need right?

Just before the swords hit their throats they should have a good idea of what Jihadists want.

“Diplomacy is the art of telling someone to go to hell and making them look forward to the trip.”