I think it was the "we tortured some folks" moment

[Stonepounder]

7. Very simple answer to your question of 'Why?'

$$$$

Take a look at how much money gets poured down the rat-hole of the 'defense industry', or in the words from a bygone era the 'military-industrial complex'. Look at how much money gets spent on planes that don't fly and ships the Navy doesn't want. Look at how much it costs for our privatized military. The U.S. doesn't produce a damn thing any more, so we have to rely on military contractors to keep the money pumping.

Anyone old enough to remember the ads for the I.L.G.W.? "Look for the union label when you are buying a shirt..." The U.S. used to manufacture its own clothes. Not now. Even Levi has outsourced its production. The U.S. used to manufacture iron and steel. Not anymore. TV sets, appliances, autos? Nope.

So the only way the oligarchy can get rich(er) is war, war, war. And to hell with the cannon fodder - that's just collateral damage.