The Costs of War

The costs of wars are innumerable and the most devastating relate to human suffering and death. The pains to families created by war live on well after any war’s termination.

Without reference to the human tragedy of the war in Iraq, the costs of the war to the American public stood at $330,822,018,254 for a brief second at 6:26PM (EST).

How might these dollars have been spent to alleviate the human suffering of countless Americans who exist in poverty, lacking in adequate food and health care services and who frequently are homeless or have inadequate shelter? And there in America they have democracy and the war in Iraq has been said to be waged in part, to spread democracy.

Is this being realistic or plain stupid? Should “charity” not begin at home?

Now, for a little story coming from the Talking Tree:


The Talking Tree talks about American trust.

Two young Americans go camping with a cooler packed with beer and sandwiches.
After a day of walking they come across a beautiful spot for their camp. Realizing that they have forgotten a bottle opener, the older American says to the younger: “You must go back and get that bottle opener. Without it we can’t drink the beer.” “No way,” says the younger, “by the time I get back all the food will be gone.” I won’t, I promise,” says the older guy, “just hurry.”
Two days pass and there is no sign of the other American. Some what exasperated and quite hungry the older guy bites into a delicious sandwich. Suddenly the younger guy jumps out from behind some big rocks and shouts: “I knew it…and I am not going!”

So much said for American trust, by the "Talking Tree", for a little laugh.

Adapted by “Talking Tree 2006” from an anonymous non-copyright text, which was somewhat racist.