I don't see how helping people can be a bad thing.
I guess we can afford it because we always budget for it, but my understanding of economics on this scale is severely limited.
As to whether we can afford not to, I don't know what the quantifiable benefits are, but I'm sure it is good for increasing our positive vibes.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:13, 1 reply, 12 years ago)

It's basically "I'll give you aid, if you vote with us on the UN and buy these fighter jets"

(PsychoChomp, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:15, Reply)

It's the only language those corrupt foreign bastards understand.
When we had the Empire we didn't have to do any of this shit.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:17, Reply)

Lot cheaper to give them aid than run an empire.

(PsychoChomp, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:18, Reply)

Just plug the real life info into one of those Empire building computer games and you could run it from your attic

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:21, Reply)

^ Exhibit D

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:22, Reply)

Since the only manufacturing industry we have left is defence
I.e. making stuff to kill people, that's how the govt justifies it.
Same as we give China shit about human rights, but not Bahrain etc - we don't sell arms to China.
(localboy purveyor of pisspoor puns, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:21, Reply)

bollocks
we make a shit ton of things, that are sold worldwide. I think actually exported scotch has a bigger turnover than the arms trade.
(PsychoChomp, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:29, Reply)

and yet they still keep going on about it

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:33, Reply)

Chompo's correct here.
And the FS sector is incredibly important.
(dozers, do fuck off ur a nob m8, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:34, Reply)

This thread is too SRS BZNS

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:35, Reply)

What about the 'FFS sector' ie me reading this?

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:43, Reply)

You are yourself 'exported scotch'

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:53, Reply)

It's good, but it's not right
www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/defence/8244152/UK-defence-industry-in-numbers.html

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-12907085

Defence is roughly double whisky in export earnings.
(localboy purveyor of pisspoor puns, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:37, Reply)

Whiskey doubles as defence exports
as the people drinking get so angry and fighty
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:39, Reply)

But you won't sell much to the Middle East

(localboy purveyor of pisspoor puns, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:40, Reply)

You'd be surprised

( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:45, Reply)

I'm sure that will be good for my local economy.
We have a long history of building things for the arms trade.
Although we rarely come out of it well cf. WW2, Iraqi supergun, etc.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:22, Reply)

Did you see that two US states have legalised less than an oz of weed possession this week?
I never thought I'd see that in my lifetime.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:23, Reply)

I did indeed.
If only something similar would happen here.
( tangledupinblue hairy badge with moving eyes, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:24, Reply)

Make joints not war man

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:25, Reply)

Jarvik's new slogan

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:32, Reply)

America is a country of extremes
I really fancy a smoke, haven't in ages ages
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:24, Reply)

they may also let benders marry each other soon FFS

(dozers, do fuck off ur a nob m8, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:27, Reply)

You and Ape will be eloping then?

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:31, Reply)

nah, me and Scarpe

(dozers, do fuck off ur a nob m8, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:33, Reply)

*bagsies bridesmaid spot*

( sporters I’m sincerely gratitude to you, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:33, Reply)

He'll be so disappointed when he sobers up

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Fri 9 Nov 2012, 10:34, Reply)