The Senate passed the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 83-11, sending it to President Biden for signing.
Congress viewed Biden’s $813 billion too skimpy so they tacked on $45 billion in goodies to ravenous US defense contractors, an 8% increase over the 2022 giveaway. $813 billion goes to the Pentagon, with the rest to other departments, including $30 billion for upgraded nukes to blow up the world.
But it would be more appropriate to rename it the National Offense Authorization Act (NOAA). Without a single existential threat to the homeland, and not a single sworn enemy lurking offshore, the bill is all about offense. It provides a virtual blank check to fuel the endless Russo Ukraine war now approaching 300 days with a hundred billion in US weapons. It ramps up billions in weapons for Taiwan to fend off an imaginary Chinese invasion.
What could be worse than possibly instigating nuclear confrontation with the 2 other largest nuclear powers?
As long as calling the bill by its truthful name, how bout renaming those folks building all those explosives and delivery systems who they really are…the offensive industry?
Walt Zlotow became involved in antiwar activities upon entering University of Chicago in 1963. He is current president of the West Suburban Peace Coalition based in the Chicago western suburbs. He blogs daily on antiwar and other issues at www.heartlandprogressive.blogspot.com.
