Read the News Today and Learned a New Phrase 
by R. Miles Mendenhall
www.dissidentvoice.org
February 8, 2007



 

While discussing the military budget for 2008 with an LA Times reporter, Admiral Michael Mullins said, "At 3.8 percent" (of GDP) "it just isn't enough for the strategic appetite, and the strategic appetite is directly tied to the world we're living in."

Strategic Appetite? Hmm, that's a new one for me. I'm admittedly no military policy wonk, so perhaps it's a term of art that I'm not familiar with? But what most struck me was its brutal honesty and moral implications. From the mouth of an expert, we get the truth.

The good 'ol U.S. of A. has a strategic appetite, meaning that our military force structure, and its cost, is directly supportive of our need and desire to CONSUME the rest of the world. If that isn't an admission to raw imperialism, I don't know what is. Is Admiral Mullins our new Smedley Butler?

The argument among the military experts and politicians, as outlined in the article ("$481 billion defense budget request near historic high; Iraq cost to surpass Vietnam," Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 2/5/07, A1 above the fold.) is whether spending 3.8 percent of GDP is enough, it's less than in the past, or, if this proposed record gross spending is too much? Military experts ding strategic (appetite?) planners for buying expensive technology that costs more than earlier conventional technology, and that new technology is being chewed up faster in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan than its replacement budget can handle.

In other words, even this record spending request will not cover projected costs.

The planners and pols on both "sides" of the aisle are using the emotional leverage of "supporting our troops" to make sure the gravy train keeps flowing. Anything less by the new Democratic majority will be painted with the "you abandoned them!" brush. That sufficient body armor and hardened Humvees for world domination was not in the budget both under Clinton and Bushes I and II is not being emphasized.

Whatever one thinks of military spending, and imperial adventures in the heart of the birthplace of western civilization, isn't it good to know that we have a strategic appetite and that its needs are being planned for? Isn't it?

Miles Mendenhall comes from a military family that goes back four generations and has been an anti-war/peace, anti-militarism activist for 32 years. He can be reached at: miles_mendenhall@hotmail.com.

Other Articles by Miles Mendenhall

* The State of the Anti-War Movement: Post Surge Commencement January 2007
* Late 60s Early 70s Vietnam Déjà Vu

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