[gridlock]

Call me silly, but I think there is an aesthetic consideration here, too. Having battleships with big be-jeezus guns is intimidating and, in their way, beautiful.

If they need a couple of billion dollars to fund these things, this taxpayer would be more than happy to kick in a sawbuck, along with everybody else. The World is a better place when the US has battleships.

Just as sharks occupy a place in the human psyche far out-weighing their actual threat, the US battleships are seen by our enemies as the perfect killing machine, a remorseless Behemoth rising from the depths of time to destroy all who oppose us. The psychological value of this weapon alone makes it worth the price. Not to mention the comfort to our soldiers, knowing that they have this kind of support.

Sorry if this is a touchy-feely argument, and for a battleship, no less. But I think the psychological factors are the most important ones here.

[txradioguy]

"Call me silly, but I think there is an aesthetic consideration here, too. Having battleships with big be-jeezus guns is intimidating and, in their way, beautiful."

Not silly at all. We use the Carriers in "Show of Force" missions when we want to drive a point home to certain countries.

The same can be done just as easily with the BB's.

[lentulusgracchus]

The psychological value of this weapon alone makes it worth the price.

Why do you think Ronnie went for them like a big-mouthed bass for a mayfly?

He knew what he was doing. He was old Hollywood; he knew the value of a symbol.

[Kozak]

If they need a couple of billion dollars to fund these things, this taxpayer would be more than happy to kick in a sawbuck, along with everybody else. The World is a better place when the US has battleships.

Hey, how about a check box on the income tax 1040 like for the Presidential Election Fund?

" Check Box to Donate 5 Dollars to the Battleship Fund"

I would LOVE to check that box, and it would have the added benefit of driving Liberals to apoplexy.....

[mad_as_he$$]

If I was some scumbag in another country I would fear a B-2 more than the wagons. But damn they are both beautiful machines!

[grapeape]

No that is a good post.

All of your arguments are time tested and have turned out to be very valuable...