War Trumps Our Social Contracts

[WinkyDink]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2011/08/us-military-intervention-in-libya-cost-at-least-896-million-.html

ABC News’ Luis Martinez (@LMartinezABC) reports: The cost of U.S. military intervention in Libya has cost American taxpayers an estimated $896 million through July 31, the Pentagon said today.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/checkpoint-washington/post/afghanistan-set-to-get-massive-supply-of-military-gear/2011/08/22/gIQA7ovWYJ_blog.html

KABUL — NATO’s war planners call it the “iron mountain,” the $2.7 billion mass of military equipment that will be dropped on Afghanistan over the next eight months. But will the mountain be tall enough?
Between now and next March, the U.S.-led coalition will deliver 22,000 vehicles, including 514 new four-wheeled “mobile strike force” armored vehicles yet to be used in Afghanistan, 44 airplanes and helicopters, 40,000 weapons, and tens of thousands of radios and other pieces of communications gear. “It’s an enormous amount of equipment, vehicles and weapons,” said one U.S. military official.
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http://usliberals.about.com/od/homelandsecurit1/a/IraqNumbers.htm

Spent & Approved War-Spending - About $900 billion of US taxpayers' funds spent or approved for spending through November 2010.

Lost & Unaccounted for in Iraq - $9 billion of US taxpayers' money and $549.7 milion in spare parts shipped in 2004 to US contractors. Also, per ABC News, 190,000 guns, including 110,000 AK-47 rifles.

Lost and Reported Stolen - $6.6 billion of U.S. taxpayers' money earmarked for Iraq reconstruction, reported on June 14, 2011 by Special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction Stuart Bowen who called it (Source - CBS News) Last known holder of the $6.6 billion lost: the U.S. government.

[gratuitous]

1. But it's for War!

Our sacred obligation to the High Church of Redemptive Violence. Who would be so gauche as to count the cost? It's not like we have anything else to spend that $2.7 billion or even $896 million on. Besides, everyone is feeling so very good about Libya right now, don't spoil it.

[Octafish]

2. K&R and yet it stayed at ''0''! Way to go warmongers!

How'd you like it if the so-and-sos were using your children to make a buck?

[City Lights]

3. K&R. eom

[FirstLight]

4. Gah!

....WHY!?!? :banghead:

This is the sole reason we are in the HOLE right now. Can't they see it? are they that addicted to war?
...is it really about Oil, or is it power and the MIC?

and deep inside me i think if we kill the "head vampire" they will all fade......CHENEY!

[CleanGreenFuture]

6. is it really about Oil, or is it power and the MIC?

It's all three.

And I have a peripheral question: If the world has so much oil still left in the ground, as many people (even here on DU) claim, then why is everybody fighting for it?

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. Gitmo is still in business too.

Why?

[Octafish]

7. Warrantless Domestic Surveillance is still in business.

Hasn't caught a single domestic terrorist, but hey, it sure keeps tabs on whistleblowers and concerned citizens alike.

[KansDem]

8. Until 1949 the "Department of Defense" was called the "Department of War"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_War

Although now it's called the "Department of Defense," it's all about making war, unless anyone cares to argue that killing Iraqi children or their parents is all about "defense"...

[Dragonfli]

9. Amazing also how so many anti-war Democrats are now Pro war just because of one man

War is now double plus good, and social contracts are now a burden on our great country, hell I know the Third Way Republicans felt that way all along but what is going on with the now pro war rank and file here at DU?

Is the power of personality really so strong as to completely change so many peoples core principles?
Are we really just hairless apes after all willing to follow an alpha male off of a cliff?

[BlueIris]

10. Not pretty, is it?

Yikers.

[Initech]

11. This is America - the war nation. We were founded in war, and war will be our downfall.