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$500,000,000,000.00
Author: TriSec    Date: 03/11/2008 10:46:47

Good Morning.

Over the past week, we've finally crossed a devastating financial milestone.

We find today's cost of war passing through $501,570,000,000.00

Such a number is difficult to grasp. That's 500 billion that's been squandered on Bush's folly.

With the current US population at a hair over 300 million, let's do some math.

That's $1,670 for every man, woman and child currently alive in the US, from 100 years to 100 seconds old. Just think of it. The baby emerging from its mother at the very moment you read this is already saddled with almost $1700 of debt. Your elderly grandmother on a fixed income, too.

33 cities in the United States could have a public works project on the scale of Boston's Big Dig.

We could send 2 million students to Harvard University on a full, four-year scholarship.

Or, you could buy about 5 billion barrels of oil, at the current market rates...



At the website referenced above, you can drill down into your community. So let's see what Bush's folly has cost Waltham, MA:

Taxpayers in Waltham, Massachusetts have paid $147.3 million for the Iraq War thus far. For the same amount of money, the following could have been provided:
44,145 People with Health Care OR
229,644 Homes with Renewable Electricity OR
2,889 Public Safety Officers OR
2,522 Music and Arts Teachers OR
15,351 Scholarships for University Students OR
6 New Elementary Schools OR
512 Affordable Housing Units OR
55,231 Children with Health Care OR
17,618 Head Start Places for Children OR
2,108 Elementary School Teachers OR
2,480 Port Container Inspectors




Of course, war has a human cost, too. As always, we'll check the latest casualty figures from the warron terra, courtesy of Antiwar.com:

American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03): 3983
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03): 3844
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 3522
Since Handover (6/29/04): 3124
Since Election (1/31/05): 2546

Other Coalition Troops: 308
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 485


Although it's far less of an impact nationally than the financial toll, that works out to 1 out of every 75,000 Americans that has been killed in this war. Although the estimated number of wounded varies widely (estimated, because the Pentagon has never provided an official figure) that ratio could be as low as 1 out of every 3,000 Americans as a casualty of this war.



War also has a political cost. Never mind our reputation in the world, or our use of torture, or our utter callousness in treating Iraq and the Iraqis as our private military park...just focusing on one item, President Bush's approval rating has sunk to a range of 29-39% (curious, since other outlets are reporting less than 20%). In any case, I'd have to say that the Republicans and their policies have been thoroughly discredited, don't you think?

And if that's not enough, think about something one of our own members said a few days ago. "Voting for McCain is like voting for a third term of Bush."

America can't survive four more years of this.


 

186 comments (Latest Comment: 03/12/2008 04:31:11 by livingonli)
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Comment by TriSec on 03/11/2008 12:44:20
Hmm, did I forget to unlock the blog door this morning?

Comment by jd_in_ny on 03/11/2008 12:55:03
I'm here... great blog post this morning, very thought-provoking. It's mind-boggling -- I'm not sure I really comprehend these numbers.

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2008 13:06:21
Good Morning. What a sad milestone. :(

Comment by TriSec on 03/11/2008 13:31:08
Boeing invented the frickin' aerial tanker. Nice to see they won't be able to keep building them. They've held that contract since WWII.



KC-10 (originally a Douglas product, now owned by Boeing) Currently flying.

KC-135 (Militarized Boeing 707) in service since the 1960s. Currently flying.

KC-97 (Tanker version of the venerable B-29 of WWII fame)



And I think a few more.



*poof*





Comment by starling310 on 03/11/2008 13:31:30
: flips sign in blog window to 'OPEN' :



There ya go Tri. I think that should do it.



500 billion dollars!?!? :headshake:

Comment by starling310 on 03/11/2008 13:41:52






Ah ha! : puts out sidewalk sandwich board - "BLOG OPEN" :



Comment by Raine on 03/11/2008 13:46:23
Quote by starling310:







Ah ha! : puts out sidewalk sandwich board - "BLOG OPEN" :

... I think we need some of this ,



Oh wait...



there .... that oughta do it!



Comment by Raine on 03/11/2008 13:49:14
This show today is a little bit of an unfortunate best of, considering the Spitzer scandal...

Comment by starling310 on 03/11/2008 13:51:11
: jumps into blog window :





Comment by Raine on 03/11/2008 13:55:38
This is horrendous. Knowing Iran's Stance on Homosexuality, I have to wonder what the hell Britian is thinking



An Iranian lesbian who fled to Britain after her girlfriend was arrested and sentenced to death faces being forcibly returned after losing the latest round in her battle to be granted asylum.

[...]



In turning down Ms Emambakhsh and Mr Kazemi's asylum applications, the Home Office has said that, provided Iranians are discreet about their homosexuality, they will not be persecuted. But Omar Kuddus, of Gay Asylum UK, demanded that Britain follow the example of the Netherlands and Germany in imposing a moratorium on all deportations involving gay and lesbian Iranians. He asked: "How many more young Iranians have to die before the British Government takes action?"




Jesus, they are sending her to her death.





Comment by jd_in_ny on 03/11/2008 14:00:25
I know. Very unfortunate -- but at least we can identify his actions as hypocrisy, right?

Comment by BobR on 03/11/2008 14:03:32
Morning folks... :coffee:

Comment by jd_in_ny on 03/11/2008 14:03:57
Quote by Raine:

This is horrendous. Knowing Iran's Stance on Homosexuality, I have to wonder what the hell Britian is thinking



An Iranian lesbian who fled to Britain after her girlfriend was arrested and sentenced to death faces being forcibly returned after losing the latest round in her battle to be granted asylum.

[...]



In turning down Ms Emambakhsh and Mr Kazemi's asylum applications, the Home Office has said that, provided Iranians are discreet about their homosexuality, they will not be persecuted. But Omar Kuddus, of Gay Asylum UK, demanded that Britain follow the example of the Netherlands and Germany in imposing a moratorium on all deportations involving gay and lesbian Iranians. He asked: "How many more young Iranians have to die before the British Government takes action?"




Jesus, they are sending her to her death.





And setting all else aside, how is this at all discreet?



Comment by livingonli on 03/11/2008 14:06:17
Good morning everyone.



Just remember, Sam is filling in for Thom today and at 11 AM he should have his show he does with Marc Maron on the Sammy Cam. I usually don't get to check it out, but I will today with Momma on vacation.

Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2008 14:11:33
Morning :hug:

Comment by starling310 on 03/11/2008 14:12:42
Quote by Raine:

This is horrendous. Knowing Iran's Stance on Homosexuality, I have to wonder what the hell Britian is thinking



An Iranian lesbian who fled to Britain after her girlfriend was arrested and sentenced to death faces being forcibly returned after losing the latest round in her battle to be granted asylum.

[...]



In turning down Ms Emambakhsh and Mr Kazemi's asylum applications, the Home Office has said that, provided Iranians are discreet about their homosexuality, they will not be persecuted. But Omar Kuddus, of Gay Asylum UK, demanded that Britain follow the example of the Netherlands and Germany in imposing a moratorium on all deportations involving gay and lesbian Iranians. He asked: "How many more young Iranians have to die before the British Government takes action?"




Jesus, they are sending her to her death.







As much as I am disheartened by the state of affairs in this country, we are still blessed in some ways. I lead an openly gay life style without fear of death by my Government. Everyone should be entitled to the same freedoms.





Comment by livingonli on 03/11/2008 14:15:55
Good morning Mala. Have you contacted Shelagh C about DC? Hopefully, we can get her in if she bunks with you and HBK.

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2008 14:16:28
I agree with you we have so far to go, but is scares me when I see stuff like this.



And for these peopel, whose names are NOW known, as JD pointed out, this is no longer discreet.

Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2008 14:17:49
Quote by livingonli:

Good morning Mala. Have you contacted Shelagh C about DC? Hopefully, we can get her in if she bunks with you and HBK.






Well, I posted my idea on the DC blog - haven't heard from her about it yet.

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2008 14:23:55
Comment by starling310 on 03/11/2008 14:24:19
: now playing : Ripple / Grateful Dead



With and for all my blog friends - - -



If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine

And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung,

Would you hear my voice come thru the music,

Would you hold it near as it were your own?



It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken,

Perhaps they're better left unsung.

I don't know, don't really care

Let there be songs to fill the air.



Ripple in still water,

When there is no pebble tossed,

Nor wind to blow.



Reach out your hand if your cup be empty,

If your cup is full may it be again,

Let it be known there is a fountain,

That was not made by the hands of men.



There is a road, no simple highway,

Between the dawn and the dark of night,

And if you go no one may follow,

That path is for your steps alone.



Ripple in still water,

When there is no pebble tossed,

Nor wind to blow.



You who choose to lead must follow

But if you fall you fall alone,

If you should stand then who's to guide you?

If I knew the way I would take you home.



Comment by starling310 on 03/11/2008 14:25:08
Quote by Raine:

ok, this is wrong.




http://images.craigslist.org/01150401040501160620080310bd419e37accd95c9ab0025af.jpg
<---------------- :rofl:

Comment by livingonli on 03/11/2008 14:27:36
Quote by starling310:

Quote by Raine:

ok, this is wrong.




http://images.craigslist.org/01150401040501160620080310bd419e37accd95c9ab0025af.jpg
<---------------- :rofl:


Is this dog owned by a member of Korn?

Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2008 14:28:06
Awww - poor doggie!

Comment by livingonli on 03/11/2008 14:29:14
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by livingonli:

Good morning Mala. Have you contacted Shelagh C about DC? Hopefully, we can get her in if she bunks with you and HBK.






Well, I posted my idea on the DC blog - haven't heard from her about it yet.


Shelagh hasn't been on the blog so you might want to PM her too. We got to get her into the growing group.



Actually, we might be too big this time.

Comment by BobR on 03/11/2008 14:29:39
Since Momma & the Mooks™ is on vaca, I am listening to music this morning.



Up now: Rammstein/Herzelied

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2008 14:31:54
Quote by starling310:

: now playing : Ripple / Grateful Dead



With and for all my blog friends - - -



If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine

And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung,

Would you hear my voice come thru the music,

Would you hold it near as it were your own?



It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken,

Perhaps they're better left unsung.

I don't know, don't really care

Let there be songs to fill the air.



Ripple in still water,

When there is no pebble tossed,

Nor wind to blow.



Reach out your hand if your cup be empty,

If your cup is full may it be again,

Let it be known there is a fountain,

That was not made by the hands of men.



There is a road, no simple highway,

Between the dawn and the dark of night,

And if you go no one may follow,

That path is for your steps alone.



Ripple in still water,

When there is no pebble tossed,

Nor wind to blow.



You who choose to lead must follow

But if you fall you fall alone,

If you should stand then who's to guide you?

If I knew the way I would take you home.

:hug: I think that is probably my fave dead tune.



Comment by Raine on 03/11/2008 14:33:03
Ok, I admit, I am listening to the repeat, for the news... I swear! it is for the news!

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2008 14:35:59
Quote by livingonli:

Quote by starling310:

Quote by Raine:

ok, this is wrong.




http://images.craigslist.org/01150401040501160620080310bd419e37accd95c9ab0025af.jpg
<---------------- :rofl:


Is this dog owned by a member of Korn?
Would that make him a KornDog?



Comment by livingonli on 03/11/2008 14:38:02
Who's going to watch Sam and Marc Maron on the Sammy Cam at 11 AM?

Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2008 14:39:48
Quote by livingonli:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by livingonli:

Good morning Mala. Have you contacted Shelagh C about DC? Hopefully, we can get her in if she bunks with you and HBK.






Well, I posted my idea on the DC blog - haven't heard from her about it yet.


Shelagh hasn't been on the blog so you might want to PM her too. We got to get her into the growing group.



Actually, we might be too big this time.




I say the more the merrier :D



I PM'd her.



Comment by livingonli on 03/11/2008 14:41:56
Quote by Raine:

Quote by livingonli:

Quote by starling310:

Quote by Raine:

ok, this is wrong.




http://images.craigslist.org/01150401040501160620080310bd419e37accd95c9ab0025af.jpg
<---------------- :rofl:


Is this dog owned by a member of Korn?
Would that make him a KornDog?



And does he feel like a Freak On a Leash?

Comment by starling310 on 03/11/2008 14:46:33
Quote by Raine: Would that make him a KornDog?











Comment by livingonli on 03/11/2008 14:49:41
Quote by starling310:

Quote by Raine: Would that make him a KornDog?











Your reaction alone is priceless.

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2008 14:50:37
Quote by livingonli:

Who's going to watch Sam and Marc Maron on the Sammy Cam at 11 AM?
I think I will be.



Comment by starling310 on 03/11/2008 14:56:10
No SammyCam at work.



Harumpf. : pouting :



Comment by livingonli on 03/11/2008 14:58:53
Oh, damn. They moved it to 3:30 this week and I have to be at work at 4.



Oh, poop.

Comment by livingonli on 03/11/2008 14:59:20
I guess I won't need the Sammy Cam until Noon then.

Comment by wickedpam on 03/11/2008 15:03:06
Quote by livingonli:

Who's going to watch Sam and Marc Maron on the Sammy Cam at 11 AM?




The delay in what I'm watching and what I hear makes me crazy so I think I'll just listen.



Comment by Raine on 03/11/2008 15:05:24
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by livingonli: Who's going to watch Sam and Marc Maron on the Sammy Cam at 11 AM?
The delay in what I'm watching and what I hear makes me crazy so I think I'll just listen.
I am not getting the cam! Are you able to listen to the AAR stream?

Comment by BobR on 03/11/2008 15:06:00
iTunes moving from Rammstein to Thom Yorke.... that was an abrupt shift...

Comment by livingonli on 03/11/2008 15:07:28
Quote by Raine:

Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by livingonli:

Who's going to watch Sam and Marc Maron on the Sammy Cam at 11 AM?




The delay in what I'm watching and what I hear makes me crazy so I think I'll just listen.

I am not getting the cam!



Are you able to listen to the AAR stream?





The AAR stream would have Lionel.



If you saw my earlier post, Sam's web site has that the team-up with Marc Maron won't be until 3:30 this week so he won't be on until Noon for the Hartmann fill-in.

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2008 15:08:18
Guh... I guess not AAP has Lionel. run way!

Comment by velveeta jones on 03/11/2008 15:15:13
Morning all.



I just wanted to throw this out there.......something that has really struck home with me of late. Now that I'm a "workin' stiff" taking a temp job as a cashier at a grocery store, I am ALARMED at what people are using their credit cards for!



I try to never use my cc for food, though lately I've had to several times. People are not only using them for large grocery purchases but tiny ones as well. I swear, I have rung up many people paying for a cup of coffee - $1.06 - with a CC!!! That is insane, and really shows that people are either quite rich or really hard up. I'm going with the latter.



Sad. :(

Comment by Raine on 03/11/2008 15:19:20
Quote by velveeta jones: Morning all. I just wanted to throw this out there.......something that has really struck home with me of late. Now that I'm a "workin' stiff" taking a temp job as a cashier at a grocery store, I am ALARMED at what people are using their credit cards for! I try to never use my cc for food, though lately I've had to several times. People are not only using them for large grocery purchases but tiny ones as well. I swear, I have rung up many people paying for a cup of coffee - $1.06 - with a CC!!! That is insane, and really shows that people are either quite rich or really hard up. I'm going with the latter. Sad. :(
I would have gone with the LATTE... Are you sure thees are all CC's? Not debit cards?

Comment by velveeta jones on 03/11/2008 15:21:19
Quote by Raine:

Quote by velveeta jones:

Morning all.



I just wanted to throw this out there.......something that has really struck home with me of late. Now that I'm a "workin' stiff" taking a temp job as a cashier at a grocery store, I am ALARMED at what people are using their credit cards for!



I try to never use my cc for food, though lately I've had to several times. People are not only using them for large grocery purchases but tiny ones as well. I swear, I have rung up many people paying for a cup of coffee - $1.06 - with a CC!!! That is insane, and really shows that people are either quite rich or really hard up. I'm going with the latter.



Sad. :(
I would have gone with the LATTE...

Are you sure thees are all CC's? Not debit cards?



Yes, Credit Cards, which require a signature, not debit which uses a PIN. I am shocked - that one dollar coffee might cost $10, $20 or more unless you pay it right away!!



Comment by livingonli on 03/11/2008 15:21:44
It used to be most places had a minimum amount before you could use a credit card, but that seems to be disappearing. Although a few pizza places do require a minimum 10 dollar purchase before you can use a credit card.

Comment by velveeta jones on 03/11/2008 15:23:06
Quote by Raine:

Guh... I guess not AAP has Lionel. run way!




:rofl:



Still have never heard him. Is he that bad? Can he be as bad as Bill Press or Ed Shultz?



Comment by starling310 on 03/11/2008 15:25:11
Quote by Raine:



Sad. :(
I would have gone with the LATTE...







Get out of my head!