Tomorrow marks the 5th anniversary of Bush's war with Iraq. The costs:
- 3990 US soldiers dead That is more than 2 per day.
- 20,416 US soldiers wounded (badly enough to require air transport). That's more than 11 per day.
- At least 82,240 civilians killed. That's 45 a day and only includes deaths that get reported in the media. One study puts the civilian death toll much, much higher.
- $503 billion. That's 275 million dollars a day, and it doesn't include future obligations, such as veteran's health care. (Nobel laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz argues that the war has already cost 3 trillion dollars.)
The blood of 2 soldiers and $275 million down the drain today and tomorrow and the day after.... With no end in sight.
Our elected representatives seem uninterested in stopping this war, but these candidates for the US House of Representatives have a responsible plan to end the war. It is remarkably sane and it is the only glimmer of hope I've had in a long time.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080311/wl_afp/usiraqwarcost_080311024910
2 a day is almost like peace-time.
James,
Thanks; I've added a link to Stiglitz's book and his $3 trillion figure.
David
Ignorant of you to forget that war is two-sided. The US isn't fighting itself. Funny how we forget what we do to the enemy.
Uhh, multiply the number of US dead by 22.5 and you'll get the amount of Iraquis dead.
Yea... http://www.iraqbodycount.org/database/
Maybe we should reconsider those statistics with more poignant, unbiased ones, eh?
Steve,
I've read your comment several times and I can't figure out what your point is. Are you disagreeing with IBC's methodology? Arguing with me because I put more emphasis on US deaths than Iraqi deaths?
I suppose, however, given your hostile tone and that you think me ignorant that you're a supporter of the war. But whatever your argument in favor of it is, you've lost me.
David
David,
Just a comment about the Stiglitz $3 Trillion figure. This is not the amount "that the war has already cost", but what he predicts it will cost past and future.
David,
You're right that $3 trillion has not been spent yet. My understanding is that we have already committed to spend that money for things like interest on the debt, veterans health care, and high oil prices and that we will spend 3 trillion even if the war ends today.
David
David,
Good point. I just wanted to mention it because "the war has already cost $3 trillion" could sound like that money has already been spent, when really it means that money has been committed to be spent.
David
David,
Who would you vote for in 2008 election?
Your Java, JavaScript and soon Ruby books reader - Kevin