The cost of the Iraq war was at least $315.8 billion as of May 8, 2006. This works out to $2,379 per taxpayer. The Pentagon currently estimates it spends $6.8 billion per month in Iraq excluding money for equipment. Brain injuries are occurring at an unprecedented rate in Iraq - almost twice as high as Vietnam. Researchers are already estimating the cost of these injuries will top $14 billion over the next 20 years. With this backdrop, it seems that spending $71 to $99 to upgrade our soldiers helmets to help protect them from brain injuries not only makes economic sense but moral sense. Yet, Operation Helmet has been raising money for years to provide our troops with upgrade kits. Recently the visibility of Operation Helmet has been raised by hollywood liberal celebrity Cher who, in addition to giving her time, has contributed more than $130,000 to the cause. Kudos to Cher and Operation Helmet but there is something very very wrong with this picture. Worse, President Bush continues to state that he will do whatever it takes to properly equip our troops. A true patriot.