Archive for January, 2011

To hear the Republican leadership tell it, the once-sacred Pentagon budget, protected by the party for generations, is suddenly on the table. But a closer look shows that even as Speaker John A. Boehner and Representative Eric Cantor, the House majority leader, insist on the need for military cuts, divisions have opened among Republicans about whether, and how much, to chop Pentagon spending that comes to more than a half trillion dollars a year.

The Pentagon presently spends more in constant dollars than it did at any time during the Cold War — this despite the absence of anything remotely approximating what national security experts like to call a “peer competitor.” What are Americans getting for their money? Sadly, not much.

January has been an excellent month for our Global Day. Within the last few weeks, we’ve received the support of Changemaker in Dhaka, School of Americas Watch in Washington, and the Global Network against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space in Brunswick, Maine. We’re also honored to have the support of the international Food Not Bombs network.

Thanks to all who have supported us so far. Keep the word out!

2010 developments in Latin American military spending, arms transfers, and social movements, compiled by Chiara at IPB.

You can now access our GDAMS invitation in Italian and our December newsletter in Spanish. Special thanks to translators Chiara Zanette and Ana Rebecca Mora, respectively.

With special thanks to IPS’ Office Manager Adwoa Masozi, who designed this button and the GDAMS logo, you can now add a small GDAMS banner to your site or blog to show your support for our Global Day of Action. Copy, paste, link, and spread the word!