Tom Fudge : The cost of defense is still a huge part of the U.S. federal budget. When you ask the question why... it becomes an interesting discussion. Some people argue that America has assumed the role of a world leader and world leaders have to invest in military strength. Just the way it goes.
But that doesn't mean there can't be limits. In fact, the end of the cold war had everybody talking about the peace dividend. What are we going to do with all that money we no longer had to spend on defense? In fact, the question was raised explicitly by President George Bush the First. A reduction in military spending, in fact, had a hard impact on our fair city of San Diego, which at one time, at least, was the nation's largest single military industrial complex.
But some argue that over the past decade the second Bush administration has found a way to keep the military money pump primed. The key was discovering a new enemy: The terrorist.
Robert Scheer will participate in a free public lecture and book signing Monday, July 28, 2008, at 7pm at the Lyceum Theatre at Horton Plaza. The event is being put on by the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties , and the San Diego Public Library.
Guest
- Robert Scheer , is a reporter, columnist and author of "The Pornography of Power: How Defense Hawks Hijacked 9/11 and Weakened America."
