87 Billion is more then more

November 3, 2003 2:36 PM

U.s. Congress approves U$87 Billion emergency aid package for Iraq and Afghanistan. Having problems figuring how much U$87 Billion is ? Try this link .The White House had threatened to veto the entire bill if it required any repayment. Rumor is Dom Champagne production for the next 10 years pre-sold to a number of happy businessmen, taxpayers spotted begging for water.
posted by elpapacito (5 comments total)

Read the conference report on THOMAS for details.
posted by MrMoonPie at 2:42 PM on November 3, 2003

See also House Nixes Anti-Profiteering Penalties in Iraq Spending Bill.
posted by Armitage Shanks at 2:43 PM on November 3, 2003

While the "this link" thing is interesting, showing the physical volume the money takes up - I don't see how they're making a point about how spending $87 billion is bad...

It's really too bad when good causes are detracted from by pointless arguments... but hey, it was interesting little science factoids, so.. at least I got that out of it...
posted by twiggy at 2:45 PM on November 3, 2003

meta
posted by quonsar at 2:48 PM on November 3, 2003

Looking at the breakdown, I'm just astonished at how general it is. Almost every specific subcategory is labeled "MILITARY PERSONNEL" without explaining why additional personnel are needed, or where they'll be allocated.

Just what the hell is an Iraq Freedom fund? And why spend $73 million on an Afghan-only Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, Defense fund when we supposedly eliminated the opium poppy crop? $21.5 million for an "Intelligence Community Management Account?" Who's getting payola there?
posted by ed at 3:10 PM on November 3, 2003