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What Cost Freedom???

The United States approved arms exports and military
aid to 170 countries in 2001, delivering $13.1
billion in commercial and government-to-government
arms sales to 154 of those countries.

In 2001, 60 countries were the lucky recipients of
$3.5 billion in U.S. foreign military financing, allowing the United States to dole out money for purchasing U.S. weapons, military service, and training. All but 5.4 percent of 2001 financing went to Israel, Egypt, and Jordan, as a reward for making peace with one another.

In 2001, the United States gave 113 nations $57.7
million for “international military education and
training” (IMET)—aid to foreign governments to
teach their military personnel (think of it as “Military 101”). The U.S. military offers more than 2,000 courses, including classes in combat skills, military management, civilian-military relations, and the use of U.S. weapons systems.

Total security assistance to India since 9/11:
$78 million.
Total security assistance to Pakistan since 9/11:
$1.3 billion.
The Philippines received about $100 million in U.S.
security assistance

The United States gave the republic of Georgia $64
million to train and equip its military to hunt Al Qaeda members living among Chechen rebels on its Russian border.

Congress wants to give $403 million in military aid
and assistance to Central Asian war-on-terror allies—
despite these regimes’ failure to democratize or to respect human rights.

There have been some interesting surprises in the “war,” including its major beneficiaries. The table shows U.S. war on terror-related aid to certain lucky countries before and after September 11, 2001. The “before” totals include aid appropriated under the 2001 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act; “after” totals include aid in two supplemental appropriations acts passed after September 11, 2001 and aid requested as part of the 2003 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act. on military transfers. Some of the more significant changes and proposals so far include:
Before After
Djibouti $0.6 $6.4
Indonesia $49.9 $76.9
Kyrgyzstan $35.3 $87.8
Nepal $0.2 $29.5
Pakistan $3.5 $1,293.5
Philippines $7.4 $82.9
Tajikistan $16.7 $70.4
Turkmenistan $7.3 $19.2
Uzbekistan $28.1 $171.7
Yemen $5.3 $38.6

This does not even Include the Billions we are giving to Russia so they can dismantle there Nukes... and keep the Uranium and such out of the hands of Terrorists.. and I haven't even Included the Price on the Foriegn Aid for Food Medicins Etc. that we dump out to these Countries Year after Year... France being one of them, When they have there hand out for some more Free Aid then they are our Friends...But when we hold our hand out for a Handshake and Backing to have them support Ousting a Mad Man... then they don't think they can Help...
Well you want to cut taxes??
I say we start with France.. Call up the Money's we have dolled out to them over the years.. freeze what we were going to give them this year... and then give them until the 15th of Feb. to repay there war debt left over from WW 2.. then head right on over to Japan... give them the same Altamatum... then Russia...
Right on Down the Line... I would say we would have our Deficit pretty much balanced out by the time we are done putting our foot down and no more hand outs...
then we can tell the UN to Kiss Ahem... NM...
it's a damn good thing I'm not the Pres... there would be some Sorry SOB'N Countries out there....

and to think.. These Counties Still hate us?? Go Figure

I even Heard on the News while eating supper tonight.. (I have allot of good Friends in Canada and also Brothers of the Leaf) but I heard on the Norad Northern Missile Defence deal we are wanting Canada to allow us to put in there country.. they more less point blank asked what kind of Benefits are in order for them??? Excuse me but we are like Family here... and this is a Global War on Terror... these Missiles are not only going into use just to Benefit the US but Your A$$'s also!!!!

Sorry for such a long Post... just thought some of you might want to know... and I got my .02 cents worth Out!!!!

Hog

Sounds like a great time for more massive tax cuts! Heck, we don't need the revenue, do we? Or are we going down the path of what Bush the First called 'voodoo economics'?

Yeah, sure. That'll work.

Wake up, usahog, you just stumbled on some serious Bush the Second (deficit boy) critique information. Put two and two together...I hope you get four!

John

usahog,

'back off'? then this whole forum thing gets boring! ha ha.

you have me wrong if you think i am a clinton lover. he was a moron, but at least the economy wasn't in the tank. war in iraq, bad economy...just like the father, no? these folks, dems and repubs, have the interests of the wealthy only in mind. why americans don't get that, i'll never know. enlighten me.

We spend a lot in foreign affairs. And your point? That these countries must do whatever we say? What? They are autonomous nations. They are not U.S. colonies.

I will say this about Bush's new tax cut proposals: he seems deeply committed to the ideal of leaving no millionaire behind. How admirable.

John

You are lying to yourself if you think the people of most of these countries want our 'help.'

"Gee, U.S. people, thanks for giving more military hardware and training to our brutal dictator!"

or

"Gee, U.S. people, thanks for turning a corner of our country into a big, drunken brothel while supporting our dictator."

The "people" are not their government in so many places we support. Actually, the people we support are usually bad for the people. Thus, we don't get praise from countries when we support the military that terrorizes them. Why don't y'all see that? Why is that so complex?

John

I don't get the connection. We aren't talking about protesting the war in Iraq. You haven't a clue what I think about that war, or if or how I think it should be protested.

"If you reeeealllly want to make your point," Robby, make a topical comment.

No offense, I mean that in a good way.

John

easy there cowboy...

I also didn't say I supported going to war with Iraq. I merely said that I hadn't said anything about this war.

For the record, if you are interested, I think that if the oil billionaires want this war so much, they should either finance it themselves or send their own children to die. I don't want my people to die and kill for the interests of oil barons in the u.s.

John

Indeed. We disagree, but I defend peoples right to do so. No such luck in MANY other countries... Including Iraq.

jd,

Plan on being visited by white hooded individuals on horseback because of your un-american attitude. How dare you dissent and not agree with the administration!

CJBully,

OK, if the hoods are stained with oil, I'll know they come on behalf of the current administration.

Thanks for the heads up! Ha ha.

John