Iraq War's Price Tag Nears Vietnam's

[RamboLiberal]

Source: CBS News /AP

The total cost of the Iraq war is approaching the Vietnam War's expense, a congressional report estimates, while spending for military operations after 9/11 has exceeded it.

The new report by the Congressional Research Service estimates the U.S. has spent $648 billion on Iraq war operations, putting it in range with the $686 billion, in 2008 dollars, spent on the Vietnam War, the second most expensive war behind World War II. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the U.S. has doled out almost $860 billion for military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere around the world.

All estimates, adjusted for inflation, are based on the costs of military operations and don't include expenses for veterans benefits, interest on war-related debts or assistance to war allies, according to the nonpartisan CRS.

The report underscores how the price tag has been gradually rising for the war in Iraq, which began in March 2003. In late 2002, then-White House budget director Mitch Daniels estimated the Iraq war would cost $50 billion to $60 billion. A year later, L. Paul Bremer, then-chief of the U.S. occupation government in Iraq, said the war would cost $100 billion.



Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/25/national/main4296368.shtml

[Earth_First]

1. $860 BILLION DOLLARS

Just thought I'd reiterate that figure.

[CHIMO]

2. A Trillion Here

A trillion there. Pretty soon in amounts to real money!

[ohio2007]

3. about 60,000 lives were spent in 'Nam....... they use to love throwing the body counts around

during the evening news back then. Go figger the " congressional report estimates " discount human life in their findings by over 90 % :eyes:

[Bandit]

4. I guess Vietnamese lives don't count to you....

I do believe there were a few more lives lost than you indicate.

[ohio2007]

5. You're catching on Bandit. ! The report ignores the human factor,not me.

But if THEY insist in dealing with GDP figures. this is the comparison;


Vietnam War: 2.3 percent
Iraq war: 1 percent


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080725/ap_on_go_co/war_costs_1
It does include all wars since the american revolution at least for GDP comparisons/arguements.

I don't know what the civilian death count in SE Aisia over the ten year period the US replaced the French battle for IndoChina equaled but

in Iraq, this site is the best current record over the past three years
Civilians: 42923
http://icasualties.org/oif/IraqiDeaths.aspx

this one goes back to early 2003;
86,209 – 94,069

with a high spike in the first several weeks.
http://www.iraqbodycount.org/database/

http://www.iraqbodycount.org/graphs/dbtimeline.php

So.
What #'s did you come up with in comparing Iraqi to VNam deaths (over the first five years of VN of course )?

[BrotherBuzz]

6. Who told us this war was going to be financed by Iraq's oil revenue?

The things you hear...:shrug:

[mbperrin]

7. Good thing we were in Nam, too!

Otherwise, they would never have agreed to sew Wranglers for us now!

After I-Rack, they'll be knittin' us sweaters!

If anyone needs a sarcasm tag, please report for re-education.