This is just pathetic already, and a disgrace to those serving who are dependent on this aid to continue the fight and a slap in the face to those that died in the war protecting this country:

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Like their counterparts in the House, the Senate has larded its version of an "emergency" war spending bill with nearly $20 billion in pork-barrel outlays, including $100 million for the two major political parties' 2008 presidential conventions.

The $121 billion bill includes $102 billion for the troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as $14 billion for Hurricane Katrina aid and more than $4 billion for "emergency farm relief."

"Congress will have to make the choice between booze and balloons or bullets and body armor," John Hart, a spokesman for Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., told The Examiner on Monday. Coburn and a handful of other senators hope to shame their colleagues into stripping the pork out of the war spending bill.

Items in the Iraq War Bill:

The $100 million for the political party conventions -- $50 million for the Democratic convention in Denver and $50 million for the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn. -- is included in a section described as "Katrina recovery, veterans' care and for other purposes."

The new bill also includes $13 million for "ewe replacement and retention," $24 million for sugar beets growers and $95 million for dairy producers.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the bill contains "enough in each of the four food groups for a balanced meal."

And it includes $3.5 million for the Capitol's guided–tour program and $20 million for, in part, insect infestation control in Nevada, thanks to Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Yea, well, the only pest from Nevada that needs to be controlled is Harry "Pinky" Reid.

Christmas Tree bill, literally and figuratively:

Among the other beneficiaries of the Senate "emergency" war bill is the tree assistance program, including, specifically, Christmas trees.

"This bill is both literally and figuratively a Christmas tree," said one Senate staffer who has studied the bill.

How do we stop this nonsense ?

Michael "A.J. Sparxx" Illions is the Co-Executive Director of GOPUSA-NJ Conservatives with Attitude, Professional Wrestler and a blogger at Polipundit.com and has signed on with the Duncan Hunter '08 presidential campaign. He also has a great Myspace page.