In California the other day, the USAF and Northrop Grumman unveiled the new B-21 Raider nuclear stealth bomber. The Air Force expects to purchase at least 100 of these new planes at an estimated cost of $700 million each. The fleet is expected to cost $203 billion to develop, buy, and operate over the next 30 years. 

It’s awe-inspiring in the same sense as a George Lucas invention. Undoubtedly, it’s a technical engineering marvel. I’m sure it’s thrilling to fly.

As a red-blooded cis-gendered heterosexual male, it excites me. 

Until, that is, I remember that it’s a death machine.

Until I remember that Jesus said to love, not kill, your enemies.

Until I remember that to live by the sword is to die by the sword.

Until I remember that Habitat for Humanity could build nice small permanent houses for 13 million homeless people with that money.

Until I remember that tactical nuclear weapons can reach 100 kilotons each and the bombs that obliterated Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 were between 12 and 21 kilotons.

Until I remember that humans have yet to invent a weapon and not use it.