Wow.  The cost of five years of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan (adjusted for inflation) is on the verge of surpassing the total amount spent on the Vietnam War?  That's amazing especially when you consider the Vietnam War not only lasted longer, but also had a much larger commitment of troops and military resources than either Iraq or Afghanistan.  I know the Pentagon is historically notorious for not being able to balance its books or account for all its stuff, but come on!  Is an "all volunteer" force really all that much more expensive than the mix of draftees and volunteers sent to Vietnam?  New technology?  Anyone remember the "McNamara Line" or where expensive laser-guided munitions got their first use; Vietnam was a treasure trove of new weapons and technology.  

My hope for the coming year is that the new Democratic Congress will not only restore proper budgetary processes and do away with "war by supplemental funding", but also take a hard look at where all the money's going; don't be surprised if this is just one more area in which the Bush administration has both let down the troops in field and the American taxpayer at large.