Officials in the Bush administration leaked estimates to the press that it might take another $60 billion to prop up Iraq through 2004, since the oil fields have been sabotaged, looting has destroyed part of the infrastructure, and the troops there are costing $3.9 billion a month. The President then blew that out of the water in a televised address requesting not 60 but $87 billion, which would, of course, add to a deficit that is already $500 billion. For those whose eyes glaze over when figures like these are used, let's just say: never before in history. It's that whole "aftermath of war" thing.
September 12, 2003 5:38 AM