 |
The US has spent more than $21T on the military, law enforcement and surveillance systems since the 9/11 attacks, according to a study compiled by the Institute for Policy Studies, a progressive think tank in DC.
Released in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, the report questions whether that massive investment bolstered the safety of Americans.
America’s “turbo-charged” militarism has sparked deep divisions in the country, including the growing threats from white supremacy and authoritarianism.
It also diverted resources to counter threats from climate change, pandemics, and economic inequality.
IPS calculates that the $16.26T spent for the military, which includes $7.2B for contractors, accounted for the bulk of the national security outlays during the past 20 years.
The balance went to veterans’ programs ($3T), homeland security ($949B) and federal law enforcement ($732B).
The Report notes that the vast outlays spent on the military shows the US has the means and political will to act on its priorities.
“The task of the next five, 10 or 20 years will be to shift those priorities to better meet the array of threats we face,” it concludes.
More than half (52 percent) of US employers had already planned to require their workers to get vaccinated prior to president
Biden’s Sept. 9 decision to mandate that companies with more than 100 workers require vaccinations or weekly testing.
That was a finding in a Willis Towers Watson survey that was conducted between Aug. 18 and 25 and released Sept. 1.
A majority (62 percent) of companies plan to require proof of vaccination from workers, such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cards, while 36 percent are willing to take their employees at their word.
The Business Roundtable praised Biden’s vaccine mandate and his continued vigilance in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“America’s business leaders know how critical vaccination and testing are in defeating the pandemic, which is why so many have invested resources in encouraging and incentivizing their customers and employees to get vaccinated, including providing paid time off," said BR president/CEO Joshua Bolten.
He noted that many companies over the past few weeks have decided to implement a vaccine mandate for some or all their employees.
Biden will be cheering them on.
Nike finally throws in the towel and admits that its new MLB uniforms are a flop... A good chunk (34 percent) of TikTokers support a ban on the Chinese app.... "Lede of the Week Award" goes to Wall Street Journal reporter Angus Berwick for story abourt John Jacob Astor IV's gold pocket watch.
Republican tough guys Josh Hawley and Tom Cotton want Biden to send the National Guard to Columbia University to put an end to student protests... Bernie blasts Bibi for insulting America's intelligence by equating criticism of Israel's government with antisemitism... German court convicts former financial PR exec who claims he wasn't aware that trading on tips is illegal. 
Southern governors claim they know what's best for their working class, and it's not pay raises... A Ukrainian human rights group played a key role in convincing House Speaker Mike Johnson to hold a vote to send arms to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan... Trump Media & Technology Group blames short-selling and not lousy outlook for its stock slump.
The techniques deployed by OJ Simpson's defense team in the 'trial of the century' served as a harbinger for those used by Donald Trump... People worry about the politicization of medical science just as much as they fret about another pandemic, according to Edelman Trust Barometer... Book bans aren't restricted to red states as deep blue Illinois, Connecticut and Maryland challenged at least 100 titles in 2023.
The NBA, which promotes legalized gambling 24/7, seems more than hypocritical for banning player for placing bets... Diocese of Brooklyn promises to issue press release the next time one of its priests is charged with sexual abuse... Truth Social aspires to be one of Donald Trump's iconic American brands, just like Trump University or Trump Steaks or Trump Ice Cubes.
Have a comment? Send it to 
Sep. 13, 2021, by Joe Honick
Once more, two stories that deserve attention. The militirization reflects how much employment relies on stuff that destroys people and other stuff and how defense industries live well on wars and often lobby to keep them going. It also raises the question as to whether we can actually afford peace.
As to Biden's campaigning and practically begging for corporations to help people save themselves and their families, had his predecessort pushed for a world-wide organized effort to get and distribute vaccines, Joe might not now be having to defend himself for caring about people here and elsewhere against a Taliban like assault to undermine his administration.