$276,500,000,000 later...

December 17, 2006 7:45 AM

$276,500,000,000 later... and still no cure for cancer. Mefi contributors were already put off by this back in 2001. (via)
posted by travis vocino (17 comments total)

I don't know, I've kind of come around. If we cure cancer, how many more people does that put on the earth, consuming resources? You know, resources that would otherwise be for me. On the other hand, that thing looks like it could totally kill thousands.

THUMBS UP FOR F-35
posted by synaesthetichaze at 7:51 AM on December 17, 2006

Thanks for the rant. Got your own blog?
posted by SeizeTheDay at 7:52 AM on December 17, 2006

I'm pretty sure the 'multirole fighter jet' isn't designed to cure cancer. Well, aside from the way that a bullet to the head cures cancer.

Also, a link to a two sentence article doesn't really a post make.
posted by slimepuppy at 7:53 AM on December 17, 2006

The plane is actually made of cancer, so....
posted by ColdChef at 8:00 AM on December 17, 2006

Are terrorists so well funded that each cell has its own radar system?

Also, what are the odds that the Texas Air National Guard gets one of the first ones off the assembly line?
posted by crashlanding at 8:02 AM on December 17, 2006

I never trust a post by someone whose job title I can't say in one breath.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 8:03 AM on December 17, 2006

This would have been so much cooler if it were a stealth post.
posted by srboisvert at 8:12 AM on December 17, 2006

You forgot the This isn't what Metafilter is for tag.
posted by dobbs at 8:13 AM on December 17, 2006

As far as cancer's concerned, there may not be a panacema, but treatments have certainly improved. So why don't we just say we got money for toys with the help of some other kids in the neighborhood, but now we're too greedy to start sharing.
posted by Smart Dalek at 8:17 AM on December 17, 2006

So, out of curiosity, just how much money did the US spend on cancer research over the same period of time (2001-present)? How much of that budgeted 276 billion has actually been spent? And how much of that money came out of our pocket, vs. the pockets of our partner nations?

Just askin'.
posted by xthlc at 8:24 AM on December 17, 2006

the plane is actually cheaper than the Iraq war, so go for it
posted by matteo at 8:37 AM on December 17, 2006

The health care industry doesn't want a cure for cancer just as the military industrial complex doesn't want peace. Or not.
posted by stbalbach at 8:38 AM on December 17, 2006

take this test, if you worry about money for military:
how many (known) bases does the US operate world-wide?
(hint: over 500) (hint: there are a number of unknown --that is noton maps--bases too)
posted by Postroad at 8:40 AM on December 17, 2006

xthlc: are you asking to produce evidence the money wasn't embezzled or misdirected or misappropriated or not even spent ? You will receive no answer , the gubmint will give you a plausible version of failure, the private investors will hide behind accounting and secrecy of private interest and call you communist and godless if you disagree

Just sayin'
posted by elpapacito at 8:42 AM on December 17, 2006

there may not be a panacema

There definitely isn't a panacema. A panacea, however,is still a possibility...
posted by Hildegarde at 8:48 AM on December 17, 2006

Also, a link to a two sentence article doesn't really a post make.
posted by slimepuppy at 7:53 AM PST on December 17

Pffh. Don't be disingenuous. When I clicked on the link there was also a cool black-silhouetted figure dancing about a mortgage or somesuch. Go silhouette man, go!
posted by Land Stander at 8:52 AM on December 17, 2006

But we are looking at the possibility of a cure for diabetes, so does that make the plane worthwhile?
posted by Astro Zombie at 8:53 AM on December 17, 2006