You argue the impracticability of cutting defense spending. Your points:

As has been noted, the numbers as a percentage of GDP are relatively low.

At over half of federal government spending, and compared to the percentages of GDP of our allies, US defence spending is actually very high.

an all-volunteer army, with all its advantages, is more expensive.

Than what? Mercenaries? Not so (Blackwater). Slave labor warriors? The cost is more than simply payroll.

The global war on terror is largely financed through supplementals, so ending or reducing these conflicts offers only a modest reduction.

Huh? Half a trillion and counting is modest?

Cutting back unnecessary big-ticket weapons systems...is another option. But in many cases, the money for these systems has already been allocated. Moreover, as Carolyn C noted, cutting these programs would have serious economic downsides for the communities where these weapons systems are built.

Unallocate them, then. And how about creating employment for good in the affected communities - like, eg. environmental reclamation projects, alternative fuel projects, tree-planting projects, health research projects, and so on.

Another possibility is closing down foreign bases. But there are downsides to such a move. After all, the U.S. commitment to South Korea and Japan is one of the many reasons why these countries have become some of our major economic partners. And despite all the talk of a Common Foreign and Security Policy, the European Union is woefully unprepared to assume its own defense burden.

Let others look after themselves - why do we assume the burden for someone else's defense? Furthermore, defence from what? China is an ally, right? So is Russia. What is the threat to Japan and Europe, exactly? Or do we need bases there against "islamofascists"? All ten thousand of them?

The defence budget is obese - liposuction is in order.

8 yuan equals one dollar, then therefore the Chinese are spending, at 10% of what we do, almost the same amount?

Huh? I think you're saying that one yuan is equivalent to one dollar in China? Exchange rates be damned?

There is an economic concept called "purchasing power parity", but the yuan has nowhere near a dollar's worth of buying power in China. More, perhaps, than 1/8th of a dollar, but not much.

Please do some more reading of economics.

Because, like the best brainwashing, it panders to prejudice and slips in policy. Subliminal-like.

I had an assistant who grew up in Cambodia - her father sent her and her siblings and mother to safety in France, and he stayed on to become one of Pol Pot's victims. We were discussing (this was early 2003) the propaganda push for invading Iraq - which was flooding all media at the time. I just couldn't believe that people could be so stupid to believe the lies. Her take: in the USSR, everybody knew Pravda was propagandistic, and so discounted it. In the US of A, people believe we have a free press, and so believe the "news".

Corporatist control of the media has only gotten worse since then. Thanks to Glenn for so eloquently dissecting the result.

Log Cabin toilet stall toe-tappers

Smiling and singing and dancing

All happy they can hang out with the rich kids.

To stay in the party. Self-hating and Closeted - like zza riz.

Beaten wife syndrome?

And he tolerates no backtalk which might make him think about his fantasies. Classic narcissistic authoritarian personality.

And HRH - thanks for the graphs. Proof that we already live in a police state.

Public nudity bad? But the Emperor has no clothes!

The less-athletic kids who didn't make the team but got close by being equipment managers.

Groupies, really.

Is it just me, or is American culture dominated by a strong strain of infantilism? Sort of like a giant, greedy, violent, recalcitrant, selfish, and solipsistic baby........

than HRC's. Like in 2000. McCain RIP in South Carolina. At least he got a big hug from GW.

Question to those more knowledgable - why did HRC get one more delegate than Edwards in Iowa when Edwards gor more votes?

Brainwashing artists run TV-Land. Despite the obvious literate intelligence of the posters here, and Glenn's well-argued observations, condemnations, assassinations, insults, and analyses, the center of the political world is still the TV in its one-eyed monster glory.

Drop in, tune out, turn on (yourself).

Why let airbrushed coifed surgically-enhanced talk prostitutes influence your ideas? They have none but those their paymasters feed them.

I don't know much but what I can touch. The rest is distraction.

Perhaps we need more insurgents surging

At home in the homeland.

He writes a good report, photogenic, but has he ever seen action? Check it out.....

Take your pablum like good little boys and girls!

HRH - I suggest Pacifica Radio, Amy Goodman and co put on a good news show between 7 and 8 am. It's streamed.

Otherwise, I agree with your choices.

And plays a pretty good selection of all music all the time. You can also check out a map of where all the listeners are in real time.

And no political chat at all.

Of course, if the new royalty scheme (designed to kill internet radio) is put in place, pretty much all streamed music radio will vanish or go pirate.