The Costs of Being the "Most Military-Friendly State" In America

[donsu]

http://southernstudies.org/2007/03/peace-and-security.asp


Billboards across North Carolina declare the state’s new slogan: “the most military-friendly state in America.” But a new report from the Institute for Southern Studies/Southern Exposure (pdf) finds North Carolina is suffering “devastating costs” from war, and calls on state officials to rethink their push to make the state more dependent on military dollars.

The new report was put together by a team of researchers and students across the state to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war. The study also comes after the launch of the N.C. Military Foundation last December, a public-private entity which aims to lure more defense contracts to North Carolina.

“State officials are pushing hard to increase North Carolina’s dependence on the military, touting big economic gains – but what do we lose in the bargain?” said Chris Kromm, director of the non-profit research center. “Leaders need to slow down and look at the costs, from lost lives and damaged communities, to the ‘boom-bust’ nature of a war spending.”
-snip-

there is a link to the full report and a link to press reports
-----------------------------------

note the: "boom-bust nature of a war spending"

North Carolina used to do furniture and textiles now they do war

[yellerpup]

1. During 2005, the Charlotte News and Observer published

an average (my estimate) of two pro-torture letters to the editor per week. Election fraud was rampant in the 2004 presidential election with voting machines rolling backward--all kinds of irregularities. As a result, they have Burr and Dole to protect their interests in the Senate.

[gravity]

2. Thats a stupid slogan

It's obvious that republicans came up with it. It just lowers my opinion of North Carolina after reading it.

Maybe they should think of a more inclusive slogan next time.

[sutz12]

3. This strategy doesn't work well...

when the troops are all overseas "combing the desert." (Sorry for the snarky Spaceballs reference. :))