US role in Libya costs hundreds of millions so far

[The Northerner]

WASHINGTON – Stretched thin by two wars, the U.S. military is spending upward of $1 billion in an international assault to destroy Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's air defenses and save rebels from likely defeat, according to analysts and a rough calculation of the military operation so far.

Missiles fired from submarines in the Mediterranean, bombs dropped by B-2 stealth bombers and an array of warplanes launching airstrikes over the northern portion of Libya easily total hundreds of millions of dollars. The campaign entered its fifth day on Wednesday.

The Obama administration isn't talking overall cost, but the magnitude of the military campaign, the warships and aircraft deployed and the munitions used provide some information to estimate the growing price tag.

As of Tuesday, the coalition had fired at least 162 sea-launched Tomahawk missiles priced at $1 million to $1.5 million apiece and dispatched B-2 stealth bombers — round-trip from Missouri — to drop 2,000-pound bombs on Libyan sites.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_us_libya_costs

[Moondog]

1. And yet the WH is apparently denying that we are at war.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. My dog needs a new pair of shoes and this is what they are doing with my tax

dollars. Pity that.

[liberal N proud]

3. No problem, a few more government programs can be cut

and those who are not wealthy can sacrifice some more and it will all be paid for.

[doc03]

4. $100 to $300 million a day folks and we are so f====g broke

we have to cut SS, Medicare, heating assistance and Medicaid.

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. But, but, but...we have a brand spankin' new meme! FUNDS WERE ALREADY ALLOCATED!

We're not spending ANYTHING that wasn't already allocated to the military!

[dkf]

6. Well apparently we needed to fund all these missiles since we are putting them to use.

Hard to argue they weren't needed and won't need to be replaced.

[ThomCat]

7. They are slashing programs that people Need because of lack of money,

but they can find hundreds of millions of dollars for this?



And they'll find the money to replace every missile, and every other piece of equipment used or damaged too.

But they're still not creating any Jobs Programs, because there's no money.

[Catherina]

8. hundreds of millions? It's way past that. n/t