Re: The Pentagon and Poverty

[Sven R Larson <slarson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

And how should the Pentagon go about doing that? I know! They could
oust oppressive dictators that steal billions from their country's
resources and rob their people... wait, they already did that in Iraq.
Or maybe they could end terror rule that is based on medieval
anti-civilization doctrines and keeps women from working and men from
starting businesses... wait, they did that in Afghanistan. But here's
one: why not try an arms race with a Communist regime that deprives
its people of freedom and prosperity... oh, darn it - they did that
with the Soviets!

/srl

Harry Veeder wrote:
>
> It is too bad the Pentagon isn't planning a global war on poverty.
> (I am not kidding). The civilian arm of government hasn't been very
> successful. The military arm of a government has the command and control
> structure to ensure it gets done.
>
> Harry
>
> > Key findings of the Pentagon
> >
> > Sunday February 22, 2004: (The Observer)
> >
> > · Future wars will be fought over the issue of survival rather than religion,
> > ideology or national honour.
> > · By 2007 violent storms smash coastal barriers rendering large parts of the
> > Netherlands inhabitable. Cities like The Hague are abandoned. In California
> > the delta island levees in the Sacramento river area are breached, disrupting
> > the aqueduct system transporting water from north to south.
> >
> > · Between 2010 and 2020 Europe is hardest hit by climatic change with an
> > average annual temperature drop of 6F. Climate in Britain becomes colder and
> > drier as weather patterns begin to resemble Siberia.
> >
> > · Deaths from war and famine run into the millions until the planet's
> > population is reduced by such an extent the Earth can cope.
> >
> > · Riots and internal conflict tear apart India, South Africa and Indonesia.
> >
> > · Access to water becomes a major battleground. The Nile, Danube and Amazon
> > are all mentioned as being high risk.
> >
> > · A 'significant drop' in the planet's ability to sustain its present
> > population will become apparent over the next 20 years.
> >
> > · Rich areas like the US and Europe would become 'virtual fortresses' to
> > prevent millions of migrants from entering after being forced from land
> > drowned by sea-level rise or no longer able to grow crops. Waves of boatpeople
> > pose significant problems.
> >
> > · Nuclear arms proliferation is inevitable. Japan, South Korea, and Germany
> > develop nuclear-weapons capabilities, as do Iran, Egypt and North Korea.
> > Israel, China, India and Pakistan also are poised to use the bomb.
> >
> > · By 2010 the US and Europe will experience a third more days with peak
> > temperatures above 90F. Climate becomes an 'economic nuisance' as storms,
> > droughts and hot spells create havoc for farmers.
> >
> > · More than 400m people in subtropical regions at grave risk.
> >
> > · Europe will face huge internal struggles as it copes with massive numbers of
> > migrants washing up on its shores. Immigrants from Scandinavia seek warmer
> > climes to the south. Southern Europe is beleaguered by refugees from hard-hit
> > countries in Africa.
> >
> > · Mega-droughts affect the world's major breadbaskets, including America's
> > Midwest, where strong winds bring soil loss.
> >
> > · China's huge population and food demand make it particularly vulnerable.
> > Bangladesh becomes nearly uninhabitable because of a rising sea level, which
> > contaminates the inland water supplies.
> >
> > © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

--
Dr. Sven R Larson
Department of Economics
Skidmore College
815, North Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 580-5278