By pat bagley and val lambson

Welcome to Behind the Lines, a weekly conversation with Salt Lake Tribune cartoonist Pat Bagley and BYU economist Val Lambson.

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Lambson: I admire your "trillions for defense" cartoon. A quibble: I support some spending on weapons that will never be used. The best outcome is to be strong enough to deter aggression without having to fight. But we spend far too much, and spending on wars that are none of our business concerns me even more than wasteful spending.

Bagley: I have to endorse the following comment, " ... if they were actually developing driveable dinosaurs with missiles on the side, I would absolutely support that program."

Lambson: Definitely high on the coolness scale. And perhaps consistent with my view of the proper role of government. In some contexts they might be more effective than tanks for defending our borders. Especially the amphibious dinosaurs.

Bagley: Are you suggesting that giant reptiles be unleashed on those attempting to enter the country illegally?

Lambson: Absolutely not! Let peaceful people immigrate to this nation of immigrants. However, if people come as part of an armed invasion, then unleash the reptiles! (That is, if we had them.)

Bagley: Moving right along ...

The inspiration for the cartoon is the F-35, a hi-tech fighter/bomber meant to replace various other attack aircraft at a cost of about $300 million each — the most expensive weapons program ever. There have been the usual delays, technical problems, cost overruns and it could end up costing about half a trillion. In an age when America’s enemies prefer suicide vests, the practical use of the F-35 is in question. Congress, however, dearly loves this jet. Not because it is the hottest thing since Shiva the Destroyer, but because it is the pork-bellied incarnation of Job Creator. (Job Creator is a jolly D.C. deity who dispenses campaign contributions and military/industrial jobs to good little congressmen and congresswomen).

Lambson: Has the Pentagon taken a public stand on the desirability of this aircraft? I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that trying to create laser-toting dinosaurs would be about as cost-effective for dealing with our current enemies. Okay, perhaps a little surprised, but allow for some hyperbole.