As George Monbiot points out, this weekend marks the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, and Bush and Blair are commemorating it in their own special way: by seeking to ensure that the experiment is repeated.
Just a few figures:
It is estimated that 188 million people lost their lives as a consequence of war and genocide in the 20th century.
Roughly nine civilians are killed to every soldier by acts of war (stick that where it hurts, John Humphrys).
$1,034 billion was spent on military expenditure last year. $455 billion by the US, $47.5 billion by Britain.
The value of arms sales by the top 100 producers in 2003: $236 billion.
Providing three years worth of basic food HIV/AIDS medication, childhood immunization and clean water and santisation for the world's neediest people = $230 billion.
"The only groups who win in armed struggle are the arms manufacturers." - President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez
