Ellsworth AFB and Sen. Thune Granted an Eleventh-Hour Reprieve

I have posted previously on the Bush Administration's egregious mishandling of the Ellsworth AFB-BRAC affair and how the President needlessly alienated one of the Senate's brightest up-and-coming GOP members.

However, almost miraculously, a total loss for all concerned was averted when the BRAC Commission -- against all odds -- voted to reprieve Ellsworth AFB from closure (and by extension, to save Senator Thune's gravely endangered political career). Links here. And also here. (Hat tip: realclearpolitics.)

In retrospect, one can only wonder at the ineptitude of the Bush Administration for the way they handled this matter.

Moreoer, one can only wonder at the stupidity of the Air Force bean-counters, who, for two BRAC Commissions in a row, have advocated for (and lost on) closure of Ellsworth AFB -- the ONLY active duty military installation in the entire State of South Dakota. The BRAC Commission found that the AF had no good logic (either financial or military) for closing the base.

Finally, one can only wonder at the absolute absurdity of even allowing a BRAC Commission to meet and to decide on the closure of ANY installations during a time of war! It makes no sense to me. The bean counters in Washington live in a reality all their own.