Turning to Iraqi deaths, expert studies support as many as 1.2 million dead Iraqis, almost entirely civilians. Another 2 million Iraqis have fled their country, and there are 2 million displaced Iraqis within Iraq.
Afghan casualties are unknown.
Both Afghanistan and Iraq have suffered unconscionable civilian deaths and damage to housing, infrastructure and environment. Iraq is afflicted with depleted uranium and open sewers.
Then there are the economic costs to the US. Nobel economist Joseph Stiglitz estimates the full cost of the invasion and attempted occupation of Iraq to be between $3 trillion and $5 trillion. The dollar price of oil and gasoline have tripled, and the dollar has lost value against other currencies, declining dramatically even against the lowly Thai baht. Before Bush launched his wars of aggression, one US dollar was worth 45 baht. Today the dollar is only worth 30 baht.
The US cannot afford these costs. Prior to his resignation last month, US Comptroller General David Walker reported that the accumulated unfunded liabilities of the US government total $53 trillion dollars. The US government cannot cover these liabilities. The Bush Regime even has to borrow the money from foreigners to pay for its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is no more certain way to bankrupt the country and dethrone the dollar as world reserve currency.

Yes, and now I am asking why you think there is a political angle to the issue.

My argument was pretty clearly laid out. Did you read it?

I made several points. Even used “first” and “second”

Gave some examples. Even had a conclusion.

I dunno if it’s PTSD or Depression or what. But your thing about guns, your thing about attack dogs, your thing about God and willingness to set yourself up as the judge of another Christian’s Christianity add up to an individual who has some issues.

You have had supporters post on this forum that you’re no crazier now than you were before you went to the Sand Box. I’ll never know for sure.

But please check it out. Alread 300,000 other vets are considered at risk from PTSD after Iraqi War service. You’ll blend into the crowd if you seek help and will be readily recognized as not mentally affected by your service if you’re not.

Then why the statement?

“There is a grain of truth to them, but the way we are given the numbers here is purely political.”

Are you arguing that the numbers are wrong or that the numbers are meaningless or what?

KANSAS just passed a law bringing us in line with the federal law on owning a machine gun.

Most of those servicemen you are talking about were already able to buy a machine gununder federal law in the many other states they all live in.

I must have missed where anyone of them did something wrong with a machine gun.

Do you have any EVIDENCE to offer us here or only your irrational and emotional rhetoric?

“How is a concern for the health of returning combat veterans a “political” issue?”

It’s not. Any other questions?

How is a concern for the health of returning combat veterans a “political” issue?

Depression is much more serious and by lumping the two numbers together it is rather deceptive.

Second, If I am not mistaken, they are getting these numbers from the Post Deployment Surveys that all Service members fill out several times upon completion of a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan.

When you are filling out those forms, you check the TBI box if you were involved in ANY type of explosion regardless of how much injury you actually took.

It is done as a precaution so that you are on record as being in an explosion just in case you do have problems.

So the numbers of those with TBI (for real) I have questions about if they are based on the survey.

Same goes with PTSD. You are encouraged to fill out the survey as having this if you were involved in ANY type of Traumatic experience.

Once again, this is just in case you do need medical help for depression you are on record and can get it much easier.

That is probably why only about 50% of those who said they have it actually sought medical help. Because the others didn’t need medical help.

Sure, the numbers are there. Those who interpret those numbers should do a better job at being objective with them.

There is a grain of truth to them, but the way we are given the numbers here is purely political.

So, international competition. Reward private companies that develop renewable clean energy products from a global fund. Finance the fund through private contributions.

Let’s see if the GW alarmists are for real. Instead of the Ponzi Carbon Credit scam, direct the Carbon Credit funds into this fund. Allow private citizens and corporations to donate.

Yeah, sounds plausible. Very doable.

I’ll back you in a intellectual property suit

I was making my comment on the basis of my experience of meeting people in person, whom I’ve first “met” here. In real life they usually seem much different than what I assumed they would be like. This doesn’t hold true in every single case, but most of the time, it does.

Mr. S.E.Davis,
Very perceptive. Now maybe I’m just saying that simply because your comment reinforces just what I was thinking the other day after, believe it or not , I reacted overly aggressively, out of my character I hope, to a ‘put-down’ by someone on the other side of my political philosophy. As I have done on more than one occasion unfortunately. And then at a later time, intentionally, out of both a desire to help and curiosity, jumped in to try and help that same person with a question posed that brought a completely different, and much more pleasant, response from them.
This is all pretty sophomoric I suppose but…sometimes we forget.
PS: I still feel that person I referred too badly misunderstands politics, the economy, society and social responsibility….so there!!!

Damn fine idea Phantom. I suggest letters to senate and congress persons. Damn fine idea.