RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,150877,00.html

quote:

Originally posted by OFANDFORTHETROOPS:
RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,150877,00.html

Good article, but it ignores the main strategic point.

Namely, if America doesn't maintain its private-sector foundations in manufacturing and engineering, there isn't going to be *any* possibility of keeping our military strength at par.

America's current economic strategy has been "stuck on stupid" for awhile:

• outsource manufacturing and technology
• cheap service labor from immigrants
• no energy policy
• fubar'd healthcare system
• borrow to run the country

It's a policy designed mainly to ensure that the rich keep getting richer ... at the cost of everyone else, military most especially, being sh*t-out-of-luck.

Again I am going to catch hell for this but....

Political systems aside and having had a third of my birth country occupied by the Russians from 1945 till 1989, I still feel the world has become a much more dangerous place without the Soviet Union in place to keep the United States in check. I for one, I don't want to say glad, pleased is not even the right word, but I think it is a good thing that a counter balance in military might is rising to replace the USSR.

Though I am proud to be a naturalized citizen of the United States and am proud to have served her for twenty years, I have noticed an arrogance rise in her dealing with other nations since the fall of the Soviet Union, especially since the current administration took power.

I hate to say that I believe the United States has been if not the greatest threat to world peace in the last 20 years, it is close. Islamic fundamentalism, radicalism is most likely the first, but with the European/American history of interference in the affairs of other nations over the last 250 years, I can understand it.

We have this bully in our condo that is constantly trying to intimidate - threaten - use if necessary physical force to get his way, well the other residents, have united to force him out - that is what I currently believe is happening to the United States who has become the bully.

What I would really like to see calm the U.S. administrations down so that it will respect the governments of other nations, and not go with the "my way or the highway" attitude it has exhibited lately. Not everybody including my native Germany wants to do things as the U.S. see's fit, we have our own national interests that at time coincide with the U.S.'s and at others conflicts.

Just my opinion, now you can call me names if you like, and not present any logical rebuttal/conversation. I would like conversation, but we shall see.

Patti

Good Observation, Patti. I think our immediate goals for the next few years should be to reestablish the friendships that we once had, particularly with the European nations, that have been strained over the past few years.

We can't stand alone in this world.

The ego-centric; single minded; policies of the Bush Administration have placed the future of the United States in great jeopardy !

This is one more consideration and strong justification to change course.

HOW LONG CAN WE CONTINUE A LOST CAUSE IN IRAQ ?

I submit it has been a lost cause wasting manpower, economic power, and diplomatic power since the domination of the world became an objective of radical Republicans and their unscrupulous leaders.

quote:

the world's largest standing army with 2.3 million members,

for a country with an approximate 1,300,000,000 population i'm surprised China's standing army isn't larger.

annnnnnnnnnyway...with all this new air power posturing by Russia and China's new air/space capabilities - why has N. Waziristan not been taken out yet? not fer nothing but, N. Waziristan is a threat to us insofar as it's a hub for al Qaeda and nurturing ground for Islamo-facism; but, geographically, it's a lot closer to Russia and China.

in terms of our Congress and military spending; we'd be fine if Congress actually took the defense of our country seriously instead of thinking up new ways to give taxpayer money to illegal aliens.

Hey! Groovy when are you going to change your affiliation with the RNC and become at least an Independent? You have to much on the ball to remain with those losers at the RNC.

oh please! we're not standing alone in this world. Europe is old. Eastern Europe is new. It's a bit disconcerting that not more Americans appreciate the relationships that have been deepened during the Bush Administration (i.e. Poland, Japan, Australia, Ukraine, Andorra, Croatia, Czech Republic, Malta...Ghana, Ethiopia, and in a perfunctory sense Kenya, Nigeria and Libya).

quote:

Originally posted by AKinNC:
We can't stand alone in this world.

They used to be "inscrutable" and now they're "nearly impenetrable". If we can stop them from thinking the west is 'unbelievable', we might be able to get somewhere.

Hey AT3_1959 - when are you going to stop bugging me because I'm a registered republican?

for the thousandth time - just because i post on the RNC blog doesn't make me working for the RNC anymore than me posting here makes me working for Military.com.

quote:

Originally posted by AT3_1959:
Hey! Groovy when are you going to change your affiliation with the RNC and become at least an Independent? You have to much on the ball to remain with those losers at the RNC.

China's a major holder of our debt (ya know, the stuff Congress authorizes to issue to finance the expansion of government welfare programs instead of constricting them and pushing more of the responsibility onto the backs of the states).

Now, why would China want to do anything that would diminish the value of their American debt holdings? The debt they buy from us securitizes their their military and economic expansion. Our relationship with China, at this point, is more symbiotic in nature than it ever has been.

quote:

Originally posted by popsiq:
They used to be "inscrutable" and now they're "nearly impenetrable". If we can stop them from thinking the west is 'unbelievable', we might be able to get somewhere.

quote:

Originally posted by GroovyLady:
oh please! we're not standing alone in this world. Europe is old. Eastern Europe is new. It's a bit disconcerting that not more Americans appreciate the relationships that have been deepened during the Bush Administration (i.e. Poland, Japan, Australia, Ukraine, Andorra, Croatia, Czech Republic, Malta...Ghana, Ethiopia, and in a perfunctory sense Kenya, Nigeria and Libya).

quote:

Originally posted by AKinNC:
We can't stand alone in this world.

Andorra? Wasn't she the Mom on Bewitched? Or are you talking about the jet set principality in the Pyrenees - home of the annual wooden shoe festival?


Let's not leave out Leichtenstein, or Guernsey and Sark (at least they got usable banking services). You left Uganda off the list, they're a 'coalition partner' pulling PX security at bases in Iraq.

Most of those places you mention are good for letting unmarked CIA aircraft land for "refuelling". They're not like the Chicoms, giving your aircraft back three months later with all the wiring undone.

Some people will be your 'friend' if you pay them enough. It's an 'elite' thing, most of us ordinary people can't understand.

quote:

Originally posted by GroovyLady:
Hey AT3_1959 - when are you going to stop bugging me because I'm a registered republican?

for the thousandth time - just because i post on the RNC blog doesn't make me working for the RNC anymore than me posting here makes me working for Military.com.

quote:

Originally posted by AT3_1959:
Hey! Groovy when are you going to change your affiliation with the RNC and become at least an Independent? You have to much on the ball to remain with those losers at the RNC.

Sorry there Groovy, I meant to use Republican Party instead of RNC. You seem to have so much on the ball I just thought you may want to shed yourself of those losers over at the Republican Party and join the Independent Party. I'm not happy with the Democrats either. So many of our politicans have sold out to big business and special interests that we really need to break their balls and get new people in office.

It is my opinion that the squandering of America's reputation for good is equally as frightening as the squandering of America's economy on this unnecessary war mentality !

quote:

Originally posted by GroovyLady: Now, why would China want to do anything that would diminish the value of their American debt holdings?

Because *they* want to be the world's only superpower. Duh.

The Administration has been totally "stuck on stupid" in refusing to see this.

It will happen without a shot being fired. It is *already* happening, in fact.

Good points for the most part but I think we are going to see more and more of these types of articles until the election in Nov. of 08. All the presidential canidates are now starting to talk about what programs they will allow and those they will cut. Gov. Richardson (D-NM) just yesterday or the day before was speaking about all types of cuts, oddly enough many of them will effect his home state if he is elected, and it is starting to make those in procurment(sp) circles uneasy. Bottom line is to look for more articles from more generals and other big-wigs calling for more of everything they need in their departments. They may not all be needed but I bet we hear about all of them.

Yeah, but, I've always thought the "independent party" to be an oxymoron.

besides, i sort of enjoy poking fun at liberals and their charming, albeit naive, perspectives.

and, debating with an independent increases my risk of losing the debate. now, why would i want to do that?

btw, the only way to break the proverbial balls of politicians is to cut off their taxpayer funding. FairTax i personally believe members of the House are WAY overpaid and receive a benefits package that far exceeds the average worker in our country. at a time of war, government welfare program expansion and increased debt issuance, the House voted themselves a hefty raise.

quote:

Originally posted by AT3_1959:
Sorry there Groovy, I meant to use Republican Party instead of RNC. You seem to have so much on the ball I just thought you may want to shed yourself of those losers over at the Republican Party and join the Independent Party. I'm not happy with the Democrats either. So many of our politicans have sold out to big business and special interests that we really need to break their balls and get new people in office.

China's had a much longer time to establish themselves as the world's ONLY superpower than our country has. Recently China made the announcement they're establishing a 100 year plan for socialism. Even the CCP realizes communism doesn't work.

If China wanted to be the world's only superpower they had a great opportunity in the 7th and 14th centuries. They didn't take it.

quote:

Originally posted by usmc_family:

quote:

Originally posted by GroovyLady: Now, why would China want to do anything that would diminish the value of their American debt holdings?

Because *they* want to be the world's only superpower. Duh.

The Administration has been totally "stuck on stupid" in refusing to see this.

It will happen without a shot being fired. It is *already* happening, in fact.

quote:

Originally posted by helez:
The ego-centric; single minded; policies of the Bush Administration have placed the future of the United States in great jeopardy !

This is one more consideration and strong justification to change course.

HOW LONG CAN WE CONTINUE A LOST CAUSE IN IRAQ ?

I submit it has been a lost cause wasting manpower, economic power, and diplomatic power since the domination of the world became an objective of radical Republicans and their unscrupulous leaders.

Darlin' your rhetoric is a lost cause!! And I echo GV's stance on the Congress and military spending. Give the funding to get the job done that is keeping us from accomplishing the mission.

quote:

Originally posted by GroovyLady:


If China wanted to be the world's only superpower they had a great opportunity in the 7th and 14th centuries. They didn't take it.

Precisely…..Contrary to popular belief; even when they had the capability, China in her 4,000 year old history has never attempted to “rule” the world (i.e. Rome, Alexander, England, Germany….etc). All of her conflicts were regional.

It is unimaginable that if one of the European powers had a fleet of this magnitude; that it would not be used for conquest.