War.

[ChrisPBacon]

What is it good for?

[skelly]

Absolutely nothin !

[answerbok]

Money.

[Squirrel]

I hate to assume such a horrible thing, but, fun I believe is the main reason. The mentally disturbed person who begins the whole thing can't possibly have the best interests of people and the environment on their mind, but would rather consider it to be a bit of a thrill, a challenge. Feeble reasons to kill people can easily be thought up, and the prospect clearly cause little distress to the leaders' minds. Being recruited for war has been described as "exciting" and "patriotic" but, as your question implies, nothing, nothing that was ever gained from war could make up for what was lost. No reason, just male killer instinct.

[jenstar]

Edwin Starr's career.

[ChrisPBacon]

Good answer Einstein but "absolutely nothing" scans better.

[sft42]

Hoy einstein, why do you dismiss my sincerely held belief that the moon landings didn't happen?

[Lord Elgin]

I didn't, sft, I said let's not have a debate about it here.

[centipede]

Now you've put your foot in it Einstein.. I'm always doing that ;-)