Soaring defense spending, and more

Soaring defense spending

U.S. defense spending soared from $287 billion in 2001 to more than $700 billion in 2010 and 2011, including the supplemental costs for Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. currently spends $250 billion more on the military each year than it does on Medicare.

Bloomberg.com

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Rubio water bottles

Sen. Marco Rubio was the subject of mockery after he reached for a water bottle during his response to the State of the Union last week, but his PAC has raised more than $100,000 by selling customized Rubio water bottles to contributors for a minimum of $25 each. “Send the liberal detractors a message that not only does Marco Rubio inspire you, he hydrates you too,” said the fundraising pitch.

ABCNews.com

Carbon emissions fall

U.S. carbon emissions have fallen to 13 percent below 2005 levels. The increased use of natural gas instead of coal accounts for 38 percent of that decline, while the growing use of wind power has contributed 27 percent of the carbon savings, a new study has found.

The Washington Post

A groundbreaking sex survey

A groundbreaking survey of more than 200,000 Americans has found that 3.5 percent of the population identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.

Gallup

Paul Broun's mythmaking

U.S. Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) said last week that “there are more people killed by baseball bats and hammers than are killed with guns.” This is a myth. In 2011, FBI data shows, 8,583 people were murdered with firearms. Only 496 people were killed with baseball bats, hammers, and other objects.

Slate.com