U.S. Military Spending

When I watch documentaries that question U.S. military spending being nearly half of the world’s total, I understand it academically and then think “hell yeah.” But to be fair, at least 90% of our expenditures are earmarked for corruption. In real terms, the U.S. military spends no more than other major powers. The corruption is what keeps the U.S. military engine running – there’s nothing we can do about that. Other than spend more, of course.

(Inspired by “Suicide Is Not Painless“. And, in this instance, it will bring on very few changes. The jury is out on whether I can take or leave it, presumably at the pleasure of the president.)

No, You’re Wrong. Actually . . .

I catalog scams and urban legends. Misconceptions about illegal drugs and health-related issues. Basically any subject where I might overhear someone say something naive or ignorant and can jump in with an: “Actually, that’s a common misconception. The truth is . . .” I swear that isn’t the motivation, but there is a switch that flips in my brain when I’m faced with misinformation that I know better about. I just can’t help being a know-it-all.

These situations come up weekly, on average – depending on how often I put myself in social situations. A couple in the last week frustrated me more than usual. The first came at work. Someone mentioned Halloween, and one of my (young) co-workers mentioned how sad it is that people put razor blades and poison into Halloween candy that they distribute to children. Chances are, unless you have an affinity for urban legends, you believe this poisonification of Halloween to be true as well.