The Shame of Nations

The Shame of Nations by LAWRENCE S. WITTNER

"In case Americans were wondering where most of their tax money — and the tax money of other nations — went in the previous year, the answer from SIPRI was clear: to war and preparations for war. World military spending reached a record $1,738 billion in 2011 — an increase of $138 billion over the previous year. The United States accounted for 41 percent of that, or $711 billion."

...

"In the United States, an estimated 58 percent of the U.S. government’s discretionary tax dollars go to war and preparations for war. “Almost every country with a military is on an insane path, spending more and more on missiles, aircraft, and guns,” remarked John Feffer, co-director of Foreign Policy in Focus. “These countries should be confronting the real threats of climate change, hunger, disease, and oppression, not wasting taxpayers’ money on their military.” "

Bill

What If the Greedy Rich Paid Their Share?

What If the Greedy Rich Paid Their Share? 8 Things to Know About Wealth and Poverty in the US By Les Leopold

"America is loaded. We are not a struggling nation ready to go under. We are not facing an enormous debt crisis despite what the politicians and pundits proclaim. We are not the next Greece.Rather, we have an enormous concentration-of-wealth problem -- one that must be solved for the good of our commonwealth. We are a very rich nation but it doesn’t seem that way because our wealth is so concentrated in the hands of a few. This is America’s disaster."

Bill

The Babylonian Captivity of Washington

The Babylonian Captivity of Washington by Philip Giraldi

"So Israel can start a war and the United States can do nothing to stop it and will become a major victim of whatever plays out. If that is true, why is the mainstream media ignoring the story?"

This is exactly the question I've pursued for so long: exactly how is it possible that such editorial control can exist over the American information supply? Philip is one writer who isn't afraid to talk about this, but others, incredibly, have been cowering and following orders from the latest incarnation of jackboots.

"War in the Middle East and Asia have destroyed the US economy and moved America closer to a police state. Telling Israel clearly and emphatically that it is on its own if it wishes to dominate its neighbors and go to war would restore much need perspective and would do much to right the ship of state back here in the US."

Right on, Philip! I will add that if we can fix the 1st problem (media control) the 2nd problem (Middle East war) will be solvable.


Bill

Hating the haters

Every now and then I must pause to reflect on the positions I've taken, lest I stray too far from the core reasons for my own existence.

It is true that I hate the haters and the warmongers with a passion that extends deep, wide and long term. But it's more true, relevant and far more important that I love people who wish no harm to others far more then I hate those who cause the harm.

But peace, love and tranquility are hard to jump up and down about. They are core values we live each day of our life by, but we must do so quietly or we run the risk of being cast as hypocritical as those who preach war to accomplish peace.


Bill