ROLLING IN THE DOUGH: A SHORT COVERSATION BETWEEN George W. Bush THE DECIDER AND Dick Cheney THE SHOOTER

“Running around like a madman with a razor blade, waving it around, is not the best way to resolve the situation.”

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin

2.4 trillion on wars projected over next decade

White House brushes off analysis of Iraq, Afghanistan fight as 'speculation'

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MSNBC

6:36 p.m. ET Oct. 24, 2007

WASHINGTON - Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could cost as much as $2.4 trillion through the next decade, according to a new analysis Wednesday that the White House brushed off as "speculation."

The analysis, by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, provides the most comprehensive and far-reaching estimate to date, taking into account costs previously not counted and assuming large number of forces would remain in the regions.

According to CBO, the U.S. has spent about $600 billion to date on both wars, including $39 billion in diplomatic operations and foreign aid.

If the U.S. cuts the number of troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan to 75,000 six years from now, it would cost the U.S. another $1 trillion for military and diplomatic operations and $705 billion in interest payments to pay for the wars through 2017.

The American discussion about Iran has lost all connection to reality. . . . Iran has an economy the size of Finland's. . . It has not invaded a country since the late 18th century. The United States has a GDP that is 68 times larger and defense expenditures that are 110 times greater. Israel and every Arab country (except Syria and Iraq) are allied against Iran. And yet we are to believe that Tehran is about to overturn the international system and replace it with an Islamo-fascist order? What planet are we on?

Fareed Zakaria

[Former editor of Foreign Affairs]

October 20, 2007

GWB: Dick, we're still in charge. I'm the Decider and you're the Shooter

DC: Right Boss.

GWB: We’ve got the country scared sh**less, and so we can do as we like.

DC: Right again Boss.

GWB: Like taking candy away from a baby. Every day is like Halloween.

Boo!

DC: 10-4.

GWB: Just a year or so to go. Let the next moron deal with Iraq.

I’m going to the ranch and catch up on my reading.

DC: Quack!

IT'S THE OIL STUPID!