In the even longer run they can almost "print" lives, too. There's a close parallel, and when the jingoism gets going it's well-nigh irresistible to testerone. I guess estrogen, now, too.

James Jones, in "The Thin Red Line" has his grizzled anti-hero Master Sergeant telling the frightened private who wants to be reassured it's all worth it, "War is always about money, and they spend our lives like dollar bills."

Another wise man once said that anyone with teenaged boys knows why old men start wars for young men to fight. Maybe it's not always about money.

Now, there are other factors, too, but starting them seems to require an economic motive. Then they are justified.

Arf