+/-?

So is this defense budget a cut or an increase? I have been calling it a "cut" because I have been including the two FY2008 supplemental budgets in with the FY2008 budget. And I understand those supplemental budgets are going away in FY2009 (to the greatest degree possible). But angry readers are writing in claiming this is an increase in defense spending and that I am part of some right-wing conspiracy for not admitting this. So who is right? Someone please put me out of my misery. Because I know that if I just go by the annual budget figures, it's an increase. But! If one includes the supplemental budgets ... Anyway, see this .pdf to see what I have been sifting through and go to p.6 for the figures I have been using. I think I am right here. But there is a disconnect between the budget authority and the outlays that I would like someone smart on budgeting to explain. Dammit, where is Tom Donnelly when you really need him?