In his presentation, Gen Farrell will discuss how Defense spending and budget issues 
important as they are, are part of the larger economic and budget priorities of the 
country at the highest level, and significantly they stand as an early warning of 
bigger problems either extant and/or to come.  So in one sense, defense is the canary 
in the coal mine, but also an agency whose issues and problems are inextricably bound 
up in our national priorities and economic dry powder.  To understand all of this 
requires one to lift his or her eyes from a focus on defense to the higher order 
issues and priorities expressed and supported by congressional, executive and special 
interest urgings.  It is ultimately necessary to consider international issues, along 
with the current state of US competitiveness and economic strength vis a vis the rest 
of the world.  A major question is:  Where and/or what is the end state of our present 
policies, and what should we do about it.