Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller for September 15, 2010

The Republicans made the strings.

I can identify three tanks, a jet fighter, one rocket, one boat and… is it a satellite dish installation in the middle of the board? (Not to mention one serious uni-brow.)

Oy. I get enough political commentary from Doonesbury and Candorville; could we please tone it down here?

Good old “civilian control of the military”! The Secret Cabal rules!

(And doesn’t this comic bring out the political haters! My!)

The Osprey didn’t fail…..it is in production and in service.

Wiley’s obviously never spent time in the Pentagon. Just another leftist weenie spoon-fed his hatred by his icons. GIs don’t care much for corporations. They’re just useful to build us necessary (and neat) stuff.

The military budget (including the intelligence budgets) is about 20-23% of the total federal budget. but it’s a damned dangerous world out there, and if you don’t want to pick up a rifle and take their place, then don’t begrudge the troops their paychecks and the means to protect themselves, and you.

The US spends a little under half of the planet’s military budget, but we get a whole lot for it. And the spending has many spin-offs into civilian-ready products. I’d say the defense and space budgets are about the only two parts of the federal budget which come close to a full return on investment. This very internet we’re using was once a defense budget item, for example. So were laptops, hardened computers, solid state anything (along with the space requirements), you name it. Polarizing lenses came from a requirement for better military aerial recon photos, and developed by the Land corporation, for instance. Very robust solid state memory (thumbdrives, etc) was funded research to allow artillery shells and missiles to have computers on them and deal with tremendous g-forces.

Just my left wing, socialist, tree hugging hippy point of view…. but, how much good could the U.S. bring about if it directed some of it’s Military budget towards improving life for their citizens (health, welfare, housing, employment, etc.) instead of using guns to enforce their Fundamentalist Christian, Capitalist, Democratic idea of how other countries should live? The Ekert is desperately needed to change the state of play - we need an end to the idea of keeping the populace under control using fear.

Well, which is it boys? 3% or 23%?

The V22 lands itself -hands off- in a full-tilt, zero visibility sandstorm…. and the list goes on. Nothing but praise from all the marines that fly it. Nothing that can take its place.

This Strip is getting is too Politically Inclined. Please get back to just plane everyday humor. Politics sucks. Im leaving until its toned down..

Powerboy, heh this has always (or for as long as I’ve followed it which is quite some years now) been a mixture of both - I for one quite like the political side. Thanks Wiley!

hawgowar: “Just another leftist weenie spoon-fed his hatred by his icons.”

That attack was inappropriate and totally unnecessary. How does the premise of this strip relate to hatred? The whole idea is a fantasy that Ekert has the power to bring love and good will to anyone who is close enough to pick up his energy. This is a comic strip!!! One of my favorites, I might add.

@pouncingtiger

“The Republicans made the strings.”

I guess that’s why Democrats maneuvered us into World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

The only difference between Repubs and Democs is which special interest group profits. The strings remain unchanged, and our puppet politicians still follow orders.

I’m of weasel-monkey’s frame of mind. While I’m no believer that the bible was written by god, I do love the passage which states: · “Isaiah 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Why can’t “money” be spent in that fashion alone? (with regard to “the military,” that is)

Hey - you got money - spend it that way … I do!

Just don’t come in with a gun and take mine to spend.

Why do pukes defend the military industrial cartel so much? I have been to both Oil wars and am abashed at our reasons for going to war sometimes. I expect the armed forces to be securing our borders and repel any assaults on our land, but does this really have to extend to hunting down guys in pajamas in third world countries?

I read recently that it’s estimated the United States Military budget is greater than the rest of the world combined. I’m now trying to find this source.

This would put the budget at a LOT more than 3%. I really don’t know where he got that one. And anyone looking at our country and what we do, can see that’s it’s significantly more than 3%.

The later 20% comment sounds more accurate.

Please, when you make up facts and post them here, at least make them SOUND plausible.

Not sure where Nabu got his information, but the CBO puts military spending at around 20% of the overall budget (not including outlays for veterans programs or spending by other departments for defense-related projects).

Where’s the tennis shoe spam when you really need it?!

Weasel-monkey. What good would it do to spend all that money on making our people’s lives better if we could not stop or deter people from other countries coming here and just taking it? Face it. There are a LOT of countries worse off than we are. If the Ekert went overseas then we could reduce our military spending. Until then I am afraid that we will have to continue funding the military.

V22 has only one (100% crew fatality) problem: the osprey turns into a brick if it has an engine-failure during a landing. it has a zero glide rate. small wonder only praise is heard, personnel have been disciplined for referring to it as a Flying Coffin, or divulging crash data. it ¨lands itself¨, alright.

the program was a success only in the aspect of the contractors and congressmen raking in the pork. sort like the ¨brace for shock¨ thing the navy does aboard ship if a nuke detonates nearby. riiiiight. 21 years in the club, and i havent figured that one out yet. anybody ever see what the pacific nuke tests did to the left over ww2 battleships and carriers? same logic, i guess. if you deny there´s a glaring discrepancy, it won´t be one. heh.

does the ekert have a range?

V-22 “lands itself” in a dust storm? yep, just like a Hellfire missile does. Met a now contractor wearing a V-22 shirt. He talked about how good it was, then revealed he’d never been around one.

Which is like those “independent” generals in that revolving door called the Pentagon. This is THE example of corporate controlled government, and Wiley merely points out the obvious- a little political awareness would serve many Americans, like realizing “defense” and debt on defense eats up a huge percentage of our spending- on credit no less.

People complain about military spending, but where exactly do they think the money goes? Into the hands of Americans. It’s sure better than the bank bailout…

Cartoonists always show a general with weapons bristling out from under his arms as if he were the person desiring all the defense spending.

It’s Congress that wants the defense spending. “I don’t give a bleeep about the troops; I just want that big fat defense contract in *MY* district whether the military wants the weapons system or not.”

Ole Nab just about has it nailed!!! I usually find Wiley refreshing, but today I feel he is focusing his insight from the wrong end of his body. He has that condition called opto-rectitis. It’s not the 60’s any more, Wiley. Retire that leaf for good!

If only peace were profitable! If only the soulless corporations - which seem to turn their CEOs and boards into equally soulless automatons! - could see the value of peaceful living, rather than the “profit” of the machinery of death and destruction. If only humans ceased succumbing to FEAR.

Wiley, I always read your comic, but never commented before. Keep up the good work. If ONE human rethinks niceness over hostility (in family, friendships, work, the world) then you’ve done more than 90% of the population will ever do. Long live the ekert!!

Herdleader,, There are a lot of countries that are much better off than the U.S. too. In the past 30 years we have gone downhill on a fat banana peel.

There are no Ekerts. There are no Purple Unicorns Pooping Skittles. TANSTAAFL. Until the Lord returns there will be no Whirled Peas. In order to have peace (as the world gives peace) one must be prepared for war. But such facts are beyond Actors, Leftists, Cartoonists, and other Fantacists.

S’Okay. There are men and women grounded in reality standing guard. We call them “Soldiers,” “Sailors,” “Airmen,” “Marines,” and “Coast Guardsmen.” So stay in your purple haze. We will protect you.

“In order to have peace one must be prepared for war.” Unfortunately, the United States has gone far past the point of just preparing. We have become the starters of wars.

chrismaple - After your first sentence, you went off the topic, and off the cliff. How did you leap from a wry take on the military-industrial complex to a rant on how poverty is all the fault of the poor, with the Federal government as the enabler? Or is that something you always keep in your hip pocket, and throw it in whether it’s germane to the conversation or not?

I hate to bust your bubble - nah, who am I kidding? I’m going to love this.

“Many, perhaps most, people have a level of wealth that they consider adequate and they aren’t willing to work more to exceed that level.” Not to be rude, but: duh. Economics 101.

“For most poor people, that level is very low.” What incredible, condescending arrogance…do you actually know most poor people? Do you actually know any? Or have you simply decided that “poor people” are some lower form of life who remain poor only because they enjoy poverty, and wouldn’t prefer to live as you do if they were given a fair chance?

“If the government provides them with that level, they won’t work at all, so total national production is lower: we’re all poorer.” Why don’t you drop the mask, and simply call them “shiftless”? And even as a matter of logic, if they’re all unproductive drones who would rather not work, how much lower could they possibly be making “national production” by refusing to work if they don’t have to?

I wonder what alternative you would suggest to society providing people in poverty with minimal support. (Not government - society. The government steps in to do what we fail to do as individuals, despite our being called to do it - called, if not by God, then by simple human compassion.) Would you let them and their children starve? Would you round them up into ghettos? Is contributing to “national production” your only criterion for the worth of a human life?

“As a second effect, the people in government (more now, and now highly paid) are spending their time shuffling money around, hindering production with regulations, and stealing from those who actually produce (reducing their incentive to work hard.) They aren’t productive either, and they reduce the productivity of working people.” Wow…spending their time shuffling money around - you’ve got one heck of an imagination, friend. Maybe you’re thinking of tellers in a bank, but not many real-world government employees. The real ones do the same kinds of work as employees in the private sector, but usually for less money (highly paid? ha!) and to no one’s appreciation of their service.

But yes, they are “hindering production with regulations” - stopping unscrupulous businesses from polluting your air and water, putting toxins in your kids’ toys and pathogens in their food, and abusing and exploiting their employees, while generally keeping social philosophers like yourself alive and safe. “They aren’t productive either, and they reduce the productivity of working people”…perhaps you’re thinking of those nonproductive cops who reduce the productivity of criminals, or the ones in the military who put themselves in harm’s way to reduce the productivity of terrorists.

“Thus, the result of government ‘helping the poor’ is more poor people and a nation poorer overall.” Illogical, mean-spirited, and wrong. But thanks for playing.

Political rants aside, aren’t you wondering where Wiley’s going with this storyline? I sure am.

If only he were real, WIley could send the Ekert on a world tour - beginning with the readers whose ire he stirs up.

Their comments remind me of how furious some people get when they hear the word “hope.”

Agreed, NightShade09. Hey, my shortest post ever! :)

Thank you Scaaty423 for your well-reasoned response. The notion that people are poor because they are lazy or because they want to be is something the well-off tell themselves and each other to ease their consciences, if they have one.

If anyone is really interested in the government spending go to this link:

http://sunlightfoundation.com/

Then click on clear spending. All the governments spending is listed under departments.

Another source on government spending. Note: Defense spending often leaves out veterans benefits, spending for Dept of Energy (nuclear weapons), and other categories that would be included in a fair look.

Anyway, one link here:

http://www.warresisters.org/pages/piechart.htm 2009 numbres, not innacurate, but if it is a little lefty for your taste you can go here:

http://www.wallstats.com/deathandtaxes/

Harder to view, but very nice work. The little thumbnails a little further down - the lower right corner of the poster has the whole budget, and there is a zoom function in the upper left.

And thank you for the other links.

Hi, Wiley!

when people realize this, there will be “Helter Skelter” in the streets.

Too bad the poor are unemployed. No jobs left for them to fill. Our own selfishness, we want low prices, so manufacturerers have no choice but to close, because we also want high wages! Doesn’t compute.

Thanks Wiley, love the Ekert.

What the hell, 2 cents.

@chrismaple: for shame! @SCAATY_423 …and I thought I was the last person who actually believes in helping their fellow wo/man!

Just think how much Military money could be re-directed if some of the overseas bases were shut down, like the one in that radical, dangerous country called… JAPAN! Most dangerous thing to come out of there in the last decade was the 3D TV.

Human lyrics:

I did my best to notice When the call came down the line Up to the platform of surrender I was brought but I was kind

And sometimes I get nervous When I see an open door Close your eyes, clear your heart Cut the cord

Are we human or are we dancers? My sign is vital, my hands are cold And I’m on my knees looking for the answer Are we human or are we dancers?

Pay my respects to grace and virtue Send my condolences to good Give my regards to soul and romance They always did the best they could

And so long to devotion You taught me everything I know Wave goodbye, wish me well You’ve gotta let me go

Are we human or are we dancers? My sign is vital, my hands are cold And I’m on my knees looking for the answer Are we human or are we dancers?

Will your system be alright When you dream of home tonight? There is no message we’re receiving Let me know, is your heart still beating?

Are we human or are we dancers? My sign is vital, my hands are cold And I’m on my knees looking for the answer

You’ve gotta let me know Are we human or are we dancers? My sign is vital, my hands are cold And I’m on my knees looking for the answer Are we human or are we dancers?

Are we human or are we dancers? Are we human or are we dancers?

Over a trillion dollars spent on these 2 useless and hopeless wars alone – money well spent wasn’t it?

lindz,,,Either triple or at least double that figure of one trillion dollars. Remember that the greatest part of the cost was off budget and not accounted for. For every soldier in Iraq, there was a contracted security person there also.

wow, spammers having a real field day here!

@SCAATY_423 thanks!

If you look at separate accounts for the separate funds (which is the honest way), then in 2009, the Department of Defense had a gross cost of $718.4 billion, earned revenue of $35.6 billion, and a net cost of $682.8 billion.

In 2009, the Operating Fund collected $1,192.5 billion from mostly individual income and corporate profit taxes.

So, the Defense spending represented 57% of Operating Fund Revenues.

However, the Operating Fund spent $2091.2 (including $184.6 billion in interest to the Restricted/Trust Funds, and $189.1 billion in interest to the general public.

So, 33% of our spending/overspending on Operations went to the Department of Defense.

If, you choose to use the obfuscating, dishonest, “consolidated” financial numbers that net out all of the costs of government that go for government employee benefits, and net out all the interest that is paid/owed to the Trust Funds, (..consolidated numbers include the Trust Funds which all have designated and separate systems for collection…and which collectively, up through 2009 produced a net surplus)…then

The total consolidated income in 2009 was $2,198.4 billion, and the Defense spending at $682.8 was 31% of the total revenue.

The total consolidated expenses were $3,434.7. So the $682.8 Defense spending represented 20% of the total spending/overspending.

(from pp. 45-56 of the 2009 U.S. Government Financial Report)