Iraq war could cost taxpayers $2.7 trillion

• At the beginning of the conflict in 2003, the Bush administration gave Congress a cost estimate of $60 billion to $100 billion for the entirety of the war. But the battle has been dragging on much longer than most in the government expected, and costs have ballooned to nearly ten times the original estimate.

In fact, somebody was fired from the Administration for saying it would cost $200 billion. (Will get back to you on that one)

• "Many service members are currently reluctant to seek mental health treatment due to fear of negative career repercussions," said Eibner. "Policies must be changed so that there are no perceived or real adverse career consequences for individuals who seek treatment." .. .Among veterans who completed their service within the last 1 to 3 years, 18% were unemployed, and 25% earned less than $21,840 a year, according to a recent report commissioned by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Maybe there is hope...instead of rubber-stamping an agreement to let the US establish almost 60 permanent bases in Iraq, the "sovereign nation" of Iraq may not agree to any Status of Forces agreement with the US. What then would be our justification for remaining as an occupying power in Iraq?

• Top Iraqi officials are calling for a dramatic reduction of the U.S. role in Iraq later this year.

If an elected government elects not to extend us the rights to establish bases, we are going to respect that, right?

1.20.09
- posted by john @ 5:50 PM