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Will the War in Afghanistan Help Me Get a Job?

Posted by Robert Greenwald, Brave New Foundation at 12:21 PM on April 15, 2009.


Understanding the cost of war in Afghanistan, and just in time for tax day.

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We bring you Cost of War, part three of our Rethink Afghanistan documentary, which delves into the financial costs of this broadening war.

As we pay our tax bills, it seems an appropriate time to urge everyone to Rethink Afghanistan, a war that currently costs over $2 billion a month but hasn't made us any safer. Everyone has a friend or relative who just lost a job. Do we really want to spend over $1 trillion on another war? Everyone knows someone who has lost their home. Do we really want spend our tax dollars on a war that could last a decade or more? The Obama administration has taken some smart steps to counter this economic crisis with its budget request. Do we really want to see that effort wasted by expanding military demands?

Watch Pulitzer Prize-winning authors and journalists, military and foreign policy experts, leading economists, and many more explain just how much the war in Afghanistan will cost us over how many years. View both the trailer and full segment of Cost of War, part three of the Rethink Afghanistan documentary.

Last week, we delivered a petition to Sen. John Kerry and Rep. Howard Berman, demanding oversight hearings. These hearings could raise the critical questions about costs and many other issues. Now, we want to know what questions you would ask in such hearings. Would you want to know how exactly the war is weakening the U.S. economy? What about whether more troops can solve Afghanistan's problems or the escalating instability in Pakistan, subjects explored in parts one and two of this documentary?

  1. Record your questions on your webcam and send them to us! Simple instructions for doing this can be found here. It's easy!
  2. Post your video to our Facebook page! Go to our Facebook page, click in the "Write something" box, and then click the video link.
  3. Vote on the written questions you think are the most critical for oversight hearings and submit your own.

We must urge Congress to raise key questions about this war at once. As FireDogLake blogger Siun recently wrote, "Once again we are planning a surge with no exit plan and a continued lack of concern for the most basic protection of the civilians in the land we claim to liberate."

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Tagged as: economy, al qaeda, military, barack obama, pakistan, brave new foundation, taliban, unemployment, afghanistan war, andrew bacevich, rethink afghanistan, lawrence korb, anand gopal, ahmed rashid, jo comerford

Robert Greenwald is a producer, director and political activist. His new media company, Brave New Films, is currently focused on making short videos like the FOX Attacks (FoxAttacks.com) and The REAL McCain (TheRealMcCain.com), which educate and empower viewers to take action and have been seen by millions.


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"Will the War in Afghanistan Help Me Get a Job?"
Posted by: ~Fiona~ on Apr 15, 2009 2:25 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"Yup!" If you join the Army it will...

Of course you may get your "arse" blown off, but then you will be eligible for benefits such as they are...

(Pssst... I hope y'all know I'm just being sarcastic... I Hate this worthless waste of people's lives...)

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

That was a great video
Posted by: Sister_Lauren on Apr 16, 2009 1:58 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am running for congress. (Lauren Unruh CA10 when Ellen Tauscher vacates the seat, please vote for me.)

Yesterday I told Mike who works for my city about it and he said he supported me, wished me luck.

I asked for his vote but he lives in Miller's district, so I asked him to tell his friends. I was trying to ask him to ask Miller for me but that never got out. I need his support and I think I have it.

I went there to talk to the city mayor. They have a wall of silence so I only get to talk to the receptionist, but she is one of them, so it is still like talking to them. She didn't want to hear what I have to say.

I am a registered minister with the Universal Life Church and boy do I get a kick out of that. So to make myself feel better and because I needed them, I went and bought a frame for my certificate and a bright new skirt. What I don't get a kick out of is cops who conspire to commit crimes.

I was getting followed all day. I knew I would be so I was trying to ignore it. I never made it to Sacramento.

After I got home some ass **** was casing me, on the phone, parked across the street. I put my "Drug War" and "Stop the Abuse" shields out and he moved over.

Then he was visiting with the coconspirator across the street. I saw them chatting along with some woman, maybe from downtown.

It is a conspiracy to commit torture based on religious prejudice.

They were (are?) trying to kill me.

Naturally they would like it if nobody hears my story. I told the receptionist they were reading about me in Spain and to read my blog.

She doesn't want to hear about how officers of her city conspire to commit torture, but I tell her she is taking their paycheck.

I don't think she realizes how serious this is.

She is one of them.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» You know, Posted by: Reader in Japan
WOULD YOU CARE TO BE A GRAVE DIGGER?
Posted by: Sirrwolfgang on Apr 21, 2009 3:13 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Guaranteed Career

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]