For all those who complain about spending money on that expensive Iraq War, but support the non-stimulating stimulus failure that was passed by Barry & The Dim-Dems:
CBO: Eight Years of Iraq War Cost Less Than Stimulus Act
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I'm not defending the stimulus, as it was a gigantic waste of money. That being said, the CBO has been way off before, and there are numerous economists who place the cost of the Iraq War at much, much higher numbers.
Dont forget to include the cost of Operations in Astan. And, the cost of all the vehicles and equipment that we are about to donate to the people of Iraq, so we can buy all new stuff.
But really, whats few few $900,000Million among friends? Imagine, if BushII had fought a covert, asymmetric war, he could have cut the national debt instead of almost doubling same. Luckily, he did end productive stem cell research in this country.
But really, whats few few $900,000Million among friends? Imagine, if BushII had fought a covert, asymmetric war, he could have cut the national debt instead of almost doubling same. Luckily, he did end productive stem cell research in this country.
quote:Originally posted by JuanHunt:
Luckily, he did end productive stem cell research in this country.
Stem Cell research could someday prove helpful by giving Republicans a brain and Democrats a spine.
quote:Originally posted by seeweed:quote:Originally posted by JuanHunt:
Luckily, he did end productive stem cell research in this country.
Stem Cell research could someday prove helpful by giving Republicans a brain and Democrats a spine.
Which, we all know would not work on Democrats, as their systems would reject brains and spines.
LOL.
Obama has achieved something no other President has. He has an ongoing war and a recession. WWI, WWII, and Viet Nam sparked the economy because the unexpected spending stimulated the economy.
Both Iraq and Afghanistan cost about $82 to $85 billion annually. Most of the funds were spent internally on new equipment, combat pay for troops, and domestic contractors. Only the pay for non-US workers stayed overseas. Total amount for nation building Iraq was about $53 billion. A large amount, but Obama spends that in a week -- literally./
As I stated before, I would have approved of a careful use of excise taxes on luxuries to pay for the war. I would suggest such taxes on larger diamonds and other stones, gold jewelry (not coins), platinum jewelry, expensive watches, and such. Furs would be nice, but the enviros have damaged furriers and trappers enough already. The trick is to tax at point of sell enough to raise funds, but not drive the buyers out of the nation to buy it cheaper. Too large taxes drove the domestic yacht makers out of business. Also, the taxes should be time limited - ten years or so. The telephone excise tax paid for the Spanish-American War. Then, hung on for a hundred years.
Both Iraq and Afghanistan cost about $82 to $85 billion annually. Most of the funds were spent internally on new equipment, combat pay for troops, and domestic contractors. Only the pay for non-US workers stayed overseas. Total amount for nation building Iraq was about $53 billion. A large amount, but Obama spends that in a week -- literally./
As I stated before, I would have approved of a careful use of excise taxes on luxuries to pay for the war. I would suggest such taxes on larger diamonds and other stones, gold jewelry (not coins), platinum jewelry, expensive watches, and such. Furs would be nice, but the enviros have damaged furriers and trappers enough already. The trick is to tax at point of sell enough to raise funds, but not drive the buyers out of the nation to buy it cheaper. Too large taxes drove the domestic yacht makers out of business. Also, the taxes should be time limited - ten years or so. The telephone excise tax paid for the Spanish-American War. Then, hung on for a hundred years.
We have no business trying to do nation building, especially in the Mideast or Persian Gulf region.
The majority of the contractors in Iraq are not Americans. Over 1000 contractors have been killed so far.
I wish there was one quantifiable result from the expenditure of $1,000Billion of borrowed money that we will have to pay interest on FOREVER.
The majority of the contractors in Iraq are not Americans. Over 1000 contractors have been killed so far.
I wish there was one quantifiable result from the expenditure of $1,000Billion of borrowed money that we will have to pay interest on FOREVER.
quote:Originally posted by JuanHunt:
I wish there was one quantifiable result from the expenditure of $1,000Billion of borrowed money that we will have to pay interest on FOREVER.
Saddam Hussein's rape rooms were closed, his murderous terror regime was not only shut down but captured and, ahem, punished for their crimes. Oh, and his fake WMD program that he was using as leverage to get money and oppress his people was exposed and closed. Iraq has a new government run by it's people, and democracy reigns in an area of the world that was paralyzed by murderous dictators for centuries. And "Al Quaida In Iraq" is severly damaged and nearly out of the business of training people to kill our innocent civilians.
That's more than one. You're welcome.
Iraq has had elections but still has no government as they factions cannot even agree on a site and a timeframe on when to meet and organize a government.
THe atrocities in Africa that have been occuring for decades are far worse than what happened in Iraq.
al-qaeda has left Iraq for Astan, and has moved to Pstan and Kstan. The US is trying to fight a conventional war against people that have no particular piece of land they care to defend. The US general should ask the old USSR generals about the tactics they tried when fighting in Astan for 10 years. The USSR sent 150,000 men, lost 15,000 KIA, 150,000 WIA, after cycling 600,000 through there. They lost 1500 aircraft and 10,000 vehicles and made exactly zero progress. Our results will be similar.
I'm just glad that when Iran chooses to attack Iraq, we wont have to be involved.
THe atrocities in Africa that have been occuring for decades are far worse than what happened in Iraq.
al-qaeda has left Iraq for Astan, and has moved to Pstan and Kstan. The US is trying to fight a conventional war against people that have no particular piece of land they care to defend. The US general should ask the old USSR generals about the tactics they tried when fighting in Astan for 10 years. The USSR sent 150,000 men, lost 15,000 KIA, 150,000 WIA, after cycling 600,000 through there. They lost 1500 aircraft and 10,000 vehicles and made exactly zero progress. Our results will be similar.
I'm just glad that when Iran chooses to attack Iraq, we wont have to be involved.
quote:Originally posted by JuanHunt:
Iraq has had elections but still has no government as they factions cannot even agree on a site and a timeframe on when to meet and organize a government.
THe atrocities in Africa that have been occuring for decades are far worse than what happened in Iraq.
al-qaeda has left Iraq for Astan, and has moved to Pstan and Kstan. The US is trying to fight a conventional war against people that have no particular piece of land they care to defend. The US general should ask the old USSR generals about the tactics they tried when fighting in Astan for 10 years. The USSR sent 150,000 men, lost 15,000 KIA, 150,000 WIA, after cycling 600,000 through there. They lost 1500 aircraft and 10,000 vehicles and made exactly zero progress. Our results will be similar.
I'm just glad that when Iran chooses to attack Iraq, we wont have to be involved.
I think we're doing a little better than the Russians did even though we have strict ROE that the Russians did not. Do you really think that if Iran tried to invade Iraq that we would not get involved?
quote:Originally posted by JuanHunt:
Iraq has had elections but still has no government as they factions cannot even agree on a site and a timeframe on when to meet and organize a government.
THe atrocities in Africa that have been occuring for decades are far worse than what happened in Iraq.
al-qaeda has left Iraq for Astan, and has moved to Pstan and Kstan. The US is trying to fight a conventional war against people that have no particular piece of land they care to defend. The US general should ask the old USSR generals about the tactics they tried when fighting in Astan for 10 years. The USSR sent 150,000 men, lost 15,000 KIA, 150,000 WIA, after cycling 600,000 through there. They lost 1500 aircraft and 10,000 vehicles and made exactly zero progress. Our results will be similar.
I'm just glad that when Iran chooses to attack Iraq, we wont have to be involved.
1) They no longer have a murderous dictator. Now they are implementing a democracy;
2) Atrocities taking place in Africa have nothing to do with the fact that atrocities were going on in Iraq and are not any longer.
3) We kicked the Taliban out of power in Afghanistan in a matter of days, even though everyone (except Bush) said it was impossible.
Why the negative spin there, Juan?
The Taliban did not attack us.
The real source of the financing for terrorism is Saudi Arabia, yet we do nothing and merely look the other way.
If you're going to make the argument that we need to go around the world and stomp out murderous dictators, then shouldnt we go to the places that would have the greatest impact on the largest number of people? It is in our best interest to maintain a viable world market for oil, and we have made an improvement in that regard.
The real source of the financing for terrorism is Saudi Arabia, yet we do nothing and merely look the other way.
If you're going to make the argument that we need to go around the world and stomp out murderous dictators, then shouldnt we go to the places that would have the greatest impact on the largest number of people? It is in our best interest to maintain a viable world market for oil, and we have made an improvement in that regard.
Maybe I missed it but I did not see where anyone said anything about what this war cost us in human lives.
On both sides.
I have a young nephew who was part of this war.
My neighbor's grandson was killed and he a young father and the father of an unborn child.
I believe when you look at the human face of it the cost in dollars pales.
On both sides.
I have a young nephew who was part of this war.
My neighbor's grandson was killed and he a young father and the father of an unborn child.
I believe when you look at the human face of it the cost in dollars pales.
quote:Originally posted by JuanHunt:
The Taliban did not attack us.
You brought up Afghanistan and did your Eeyore routine about how bad we were going to get blown out there, and I just pointed out that we've already been successful there at a level much higher than anyone else, including your Russia, has ever been. Nice spin, but no matter how you shake it the American military is the most powerful and capable force in the world and we use that force for good. Sorry to bust your bubble.
quote:If you're going to make the argument that we need to go around the world and stomp out murderous dictators, then shouldnt we go to the places that would have the greatest impact on the largest number of people? It is in our best interest to maintain a viable world market for oil, and we have made an improvement in that regard.
Didn't make that argument and you know it. You said there wasn't a single good thing to show for what we did once we got over there, and I listed several. Again, nice try, but your negativity can't stamp out the good that the forces of freedom accomplish.
And Okie, you are correct about the toll in lives. I find it shameful that the media treats military casualties as if they don't happen unless there's a specific opportunity to use a death to promote a political cause. Since Obama became president the MSM has even stopped counting (thankfully they've stopped shamefully "celebrating") the milestones in the body count like they did when they were after Bush. The men who give their lives deserve to be honored much much more than Lindsey Lohan.
quote:Originally posted by Henhouse Prowler:
... we've already been successful there at a level much higher than anyone else, including your Russia...
What facts is that conclusion based on?
quote:I'm just glad that when Iran chooses to attack Iraq, we wont have to be involved.
That's a very callous attitude Juan.
How about when Israel nukes Iran? Care about that?
Think the US won't get involved?
Israel wont nuke Iran. Ever. Israel may attack Iran, and soon, if Iran is able to acquire the S-300 antiaircraft system that they paid Russia for months ago. The cause of the delay in Russia fulfilling the contract is an interesting question.
Israel sat out both Gulf wars, let them take this one.
I sincerely hope we are not involved as Iran has an actual army and significant stores, nothing like Iraq had in 2003. A ground war with Iran will take 250,000 troops.
Israel sat out both Gulf wars, let them take this one.
I sincerely hope we are not involved as Iran has an actual army and significant stores, nothing like Iraq had in 2003. A ground war with Iran will take 250,000 troops.
quote:Originally posted by JuanHunt:
The Taliban did not attack us.
The real source of the financing for terrorism is Saudi Arabia, yet we do nothing and merely look the other way.
If you're going to make the argument that we need to go around the world and stomp out murderous dictators, then shouldnt we go to the places that would have the greatest impact on the largest number of people? It is in our best interest to maintain a viable world market for oil, and we have made an improvement in that regard.
The Talib provided safe haven for the attackers. That was provocation, enough. Suggest you study Clausewitz.
quote:Originally posted by JuanHunt:
We have no business trying to do nation building, especially in the Mideast or Persian Gulf region.
The majority of the contractors in Iraq are not Americans. Over 1000 contractors have been killed so far.
I wish there was one quantifiable result from the expenditure of $1,000Billion of borrowed money that we will have to pay interest on FOREVER.
As opposed to the annual $1.6 trillion deficits Obama is running and scheduled to run ad infintum.