Inside Story - Cost of Iraq War - 12 Mar 08 - Pt. 1

[electrodes1300]

How about the damage done to the Iraqi people to include the 1.35 Million Iraqi's that died? How do you value that in economic terms? Every part of Iraq was dismantled. Sadam was a U.S. puppet, would you want to live under Sadam? He wanted the Iraqi oil reserves for his people who now have nothing. They would have been better off under Sadam... The Iraqi's are worse off. The U.S. is worse off, the Middle East is worse off. Resource misallocation.

[electrodes1300]

"It's not a lot of money for an economy like this..." Remember Finance 101 when interest was determined to be exponential?

"There is a time to fight if you want to be Rome," Roman Empire fell and that wasn't positive for Rome.

The U.S. has to bear the cost of collective security on its own?" Corruption, lies, poor foreign policy, killing innocent people does not promote security. Nobody feels more safe. Democracy isn't at work, only taxes. Those that benefit from this are moving to Dubai.

[electrodes1300]

It was fiscal year end when the accounting offices in the Pentagon was hit on 9-11 and then they said they could not account for $2.3 Trillion dollars in spends. This $3 Trillion is a separate issue. Since Stiglitz wrote the book we have started a new war with Afghanistan and spent more money. When you print money you don't have, you borrow it, you debase what already exisits which devalues everything, even your house...

[dave777blaster]

The Pentigon spends it's money efficiently

Last I heard they lost 2.3 trillion dollars !

where do they get a moron like this guy

[dave777blaster]

Terrorist do not target Canada why should they pay for American adventurism

Infact America is only a target directly because of their foriegn policies.

High school students are dumber than dumb in USA because you have not turned your swords into plough shears

America is now viewed across the planet as a rogue state.

[dave777blaster]

1/2 the Oil is being stolen outright

but even this amount will not matter in the long haul America is just as destroyed as Iraq and with 200 trillion hanging over the heads of the US banks Americans can expect to be in the third world in the coming years.

Americans are lied to thus Americans are ignorant they do not have any pertinent information it is all based on lies. America = toxic religion toxic government and toxic population

thats is why 99% Americans cried war war war in 2003

[1Christianity]

a waste of money

[semo2010]

to that republican idiot: Saddam was ruling an utopia in Iraq compared to what it has become. You piece of scumbag are not qualified to think whats best for Iraqis.

[slicked25]

Who cares what Republicans think now?  We done won the Triple Crown. There's absolutely nothing they can say now that makes a damn. The people have spoken. They just can't take it that they got their ass kicked in the elections and they can't take it. So when they start bitching say "SCOREBOARD."

[QuikDJ]

fucking republican asshole

[procommenter]

America's economic blockade of Iraq, the so-called sanctions, were responsible for far more deaths than all the acts of terrorists in the past 100 yrs. Our benevolent govt. dropped 90,000 tons of bombs on this relatively small country during the tenure of Bush, Sr. We knocked out the water works, electrical grids, and bridges. We even forbade the importation of chlorine into the embattled country resulting in massive outbreaks of cholera because the people now lacked the means to sanitize water.

[QuikDJ]

Agreed

[2emc]

The *true* cost of this war will live on into changing the reality of the world.

In the name of *freedom* MURDER is happening. STOP IT!!!!

July 12, 2008 ~ march on Washington DC ...

[tito45]

Jack Burkman was on the DC madam phone list. No wonder she got killed.

[hellomynameisjet]

With the exception of drinking camel piss, all of those things happen in your own country. Go back to your trailer and watch some wrasslin' billy bob.

[csrocker101]

That Jack guy is a DUMBASS. I love it how he uses the same Republican Propaganda bullshit. "Would you rather live under Saddam?!" and "It was a necessary war" and "it's not costing us that much!!" Even though he has no idea about economics. Typical Republican Ignorance.

[dane5589]

That Jack is a fukin yank bastard

[ofInterestNZ]

Here we talk to Professor Joseph Stiglitz. He is a Columbia University professor and a Nobel Prize winner in economics who has co-written a book tallying up the true cost of the Iraq War to US taxpayers and the US economy. The book titled the Three Trillion Dollar War explains how the 5 year old war was expected to cost US$50 billion and has instead ended up costing at least US$3 trillion.

[trakkaton]

The fact of the matter is that the US is bankrupt.

David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the US and head of the Government Accountability Office, pointed out that the accrued liabilities of the federal government "totaled approximately $53 trillion as of September 30, 2007."

No funds have been set aside against this mind boggling liability.

[JihadPenn]

USA's genocide-4-oil is still a success coz of lack of accountability. No war damages 4 Vietnam same nothing 4 Iraq. Planted Iraqi puppets sing the hyms of USA.

Impotent UN made Libya foot 3 billion for micro Lockerbie at the vbehest of USA. & uSA pays zero for complete devastation of sovereign countries.

OIL was $25 when USA decided to capture oil. Americans will still survive at oil $200 but poor world has suffered immensely 4 USA's jungle aggression. USA must pay war damages

[venji8]

Hey dazenman why don't you just grab a gun and go fight for your cause instead of polluting the internet? If we are lucky you will be killed there.

[MELAYUKAPIAK]

USA PLEASE killed the dirty bastard islam. Islam means terrorist. Islam will goes to hell only. Everyone hates Islam. If anyone tell you are muslim everyone will stay away from you.

[pininfarina164]

There were at least 6,256 suicides among returning soldiers in 2007 alone... America lost the war long time ago.. Get out from IRAQ!!

[danthg]

as pointed out by juan cole, it is interesting to notice how the discussion includes a Republican spokesman, a left intellectual, and an Iraqi voice.

These are something you can't just see in US media, especially the latter

[jlm3456]

And again, I do speak your language and I am probably more aware of your own race's history than you will ever be. But good luck with your petty intellect and trying to figure out this oh so complex world in a fashion that will suit your Racist ego. Perhaps a little white washing would help with that ;)

[jlm3456]

I am very aware of where those terminologies came from. You are ignorant; typical of your kind. Before you "pulled" us out of our so called dark ages, we had made all the scientific discoveries that triggered Europe out of its dark ages and into your redundant renaissance, that you worship so heartily.

What amazes me, is that the rate of (White) ignorance in the free world by choice is endemic; you are an icon of this.

I cant fly a plane better than you, but a 911 slur like that is sick.

[jlm3456]

I happen to be one of those "sand niggers" you so eloquently refer to. And i speak your language better than you do...ulterior*

Alterior-dumb ass.

[jlm3456]

china has a nuke arsenal that chances are is older than you are...same with russia, and Nkorea.

[nekedemus]

Just stop lending you money might do it I think.

[shashi13m]

Your country was in Civil war after 50 years. Please give credit, where credit is due. You are an Idiot, not because you are ignorant and perfectly fitting of the average American stereotype but because you use arguments like "low caste curry eater". It proves beyond doubt that you don't have much of a brain.

[shashi13m]

YOU DONT OWN ANYTHING! Get this straight, YOU DONT! 67% of GDP is on CREDIT. If the east pulls out, you die. ALL OF YOU! So please acknowledge that even though its in the bst interest of both parties to collaborate, it does not mean that China will be hurt by the loss of ties - YOU WILL, deal with it. You need to bring ourself to terms with reality, you have millions impoverished in your country as well, India is remarkable in being able to be where it is 50 years from scratch with a billion.

[Remixer96]

I agree as well that I would've liked to hear the response to the "would you have preferred living under Saddam" question. Not that it would invalidate the Iraqi's point, but rather because it would undermine that type of conversation-stopping wedge question. Education is the cure for simple-mindedness.

[shashi13m]

Here's a nice fact you would want know, The national debt of America is 7 trillion, up 17% since bush took over. Don't be a idiot like the rest of the population in your country and acknowledge that this war ultimately hurts YOU. YOUR ECONOMY IS GETTING WORSE! PPP is worse off than all western countries. Declining quickly with respect to the east. Also, what you think is "defence spending" is all bullshit. All the money is going into the pockets of CEO's of corporations.

[shashi13m]

Nothing that you said refutes my argument that your notion that "What the fuck can any nation do to stop us?", it is not in the best interest of America to play with other countries. Whether you would like to admit it or not, USA cannot and will not fuck with world powers like China, Russia and India. Its a symbiotic relationship, you can see it really well right now with America begging for the nuclear deal with India. Yes, you are as tied as China or India by your OWN interests, surely MORE

[shashi13m]

Don't be a fool, recognize that no country is all powerful, you are not a political pundit, if china decides to attack America, they will destroy you, they have the largest military and the biggest budget. India is not far behind with the third largest army. If the European countries deny you space to build your anti-missile shield then you will NOTHING to protect you. Yes Cuba can still holds russian missiles aimed at you. Stop living in a dream world, no one is invincible.Stop being an IDIOT!

[shashi13m]

A lot, for one they might ask you for all the money you owe them, you are the most indebt country...you owe money to mexico. Then, the countries like China and India from where you import all your goods decide to stop selling to you you will be naked. Check where what you are making is manufactured in.You will also be starving if the food import is halted. Your economy will crash if the 38% indians decide to stop working in silicon valley, if boycott your weapons then you will not make ANYTHING!

[LuminiferousAether]

Jack Burkman, wow, what a tool. "If you want to be Rome, if you want to be Britain..." what? You want to be like Britain was during its tenure as the superpower? Does he know how much bloodshed the imperialism of Britain has on its hands?

And the "Free rider" comment. Global security? Iraq war has left us all less safe. And other countries ARE helping in legitimate places like Afghanistan. You know, the place where the Taliban actually came from...

Jack Burkman is an idiot.

[bahrana]

jack will make a cool flinstone character

[OlderPete]

Jack is an asshat!

[bgturk]

Israel just banned Al Jazeera correspondents.

[luxcretia2]

everywhere?in youtube also?

[luxcretia2]

that`s freedom of press and speech, I suppose.

[afrircans1970]

3 trillion dollars could also pay for the development of alternative energy. THAT would actually make a difference in the future. To Hell with giving money to teachers or giving houses away. Take care of the soldiers and develop a new energy plan!

Would the average Iraqi want to live under Saddam? NO! but they need to either pay a fair share or the US needs to get that money back. Will the US get that money back? I think so....

[Democrats08]

BUSH = FINANCIAL MELTDOWN!

[8075xOsKeDxF33]

isn't that normal... i mean the cost of FREEDOM is not cheap. In the beginning they didn't say that the War in Iraq was to make benefits, it was to FREE the people (??) how dumb a** i sound :((

[raulitech]

even debt can't stop america.

[kingkush]

what are you? a turd head

[kam3Oen]

Don't worry AlJazeera, we'll manage to find the money...when we take all your oil. :)

[lyden2006]

Lol god damn we suck ass! damnit!

[Tupiii89]

That rebublican is SOOO ignorant that it drives me crazy

[amazingjames311]

if you want to be Rome...

who said we wanted to be Rome?

don't most nations not want to be Rome, since their civilization collapsed? from over extending the finances of the "empire" fighting in jerusalem, africa, etc...only to have the heart of the republic taken by barbarians.