Fighting for the freedom of the US government and corporations to impose their will on foreign people and governments to exploit resources and coerce trade to be on favourable terms. US soldiers have been fighting for that kind of freedom, though they may not realize it, for well over a century.
An all volunteer army seemed like a good idea at the time. But the result is turning out to be just as bad as conscription. Maybe worse. The more you think about it, the more you realize that where the canon fodder comes from is NOT the problem.
This message needs to be shouted from the rooftops. I hold veterans and active service members in the highest regard. They are professionals and most often exhibit tons more integrity than their political masters. Plus, military service can be a good way up the socioeconomic ladder.
But there’s no way Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the other wars of choice have “kept America free.” This is a blatant canard, to protect our imperialist inclinations.
Honor the troops. But castigate the pols who put them in harm’s way for no defensive reason whatsoever. The Defense Department used to be called the War Department. That’s what it should be called when no real “defense” of the nation is apparent during military conflicts.
Oh, and post 9/11, I would have savaged all the al Qaeda encampments together with any of their adherents. In effect, leveled swaths of Afghanistan. Then hunt down the criminals one by one and try them or shoot them. Then withdraw and tell the Islamic idiots we would destroy them again if they tried it again. Yes, there would be civilian casualties, which we could avoid if avoidable. If not avoidable, so what? Mess with the bull and you get the horns. Sorry about that.
If you harbor terrorists on your soil, there should be consequences. But not an ongoing occupation. And, for goodness sakes, if the dog bites you, kick the dog. Don’t kick the cat because the cat threatened to murder your father (which was the only excuse W could have had for invading Iraq when the terrorists were mostly Saudis training in Afghanistan)
The U.S. military does not make policy. They only carry out the policies made by the civilian elected government. Don’t like what they do? Vote better.
I’d add these countries want us out, and they hit us because they want us out. The old rationale of the Domino Theory is what caused the American Phase of the Vietnamese Civil War. So now we buy the flatware and other goods made in Vietnam. Yet the administrations still don’t see the futility of wasting blood and treasure, especially the latter, that we don’t have.
GreggW Premium Member over 4 years ago
Fighting for the freedom of the US government and corporations to impose their will on foreign people and governments to exploit resources and coerce trade to be on favourable terms. US soldiers have been fighting for that kind of freedom, though they may not realize it, for well over a century.
Concretionist over 4 years ago
An all volunteer army seemed like a good idea at the time. But the result is turning out to be just as bad as conscription. Maybe worse. The more you think about it, the more you realize that where the canon fodder comes from is NOT the problem.
Darsan54 Premium Member over 4 years ago
Fair points.
mourdac Premium Member over 4 years ago
What’s wrong with U.S. military spending being higher than the next 10 nations combined? /s
pc368dude over 4 years ago
Brings to mind the fear during my time in Vietnam, worrying myself to sleep that the VC might stage a sampan invasion of California.
Radish the wordsmith over 4 years ago
Its an all volunteer military, you could say enough killing and not go, or if you want to fight and kill vote Republican.
twclix over 4 years ago
Bravo, Ted!!!
This message needs to be shouted from the rooftops. I hold veterans and active service members in the highest regard. They are professionals and most often exhibit tons more integrity than their political masters. Plus, military service can be a good way up the socioeconomic ladder.
But there’s no way Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the other wars of choice have “kept America free.” This is a blatant canard, to protect our imperialist inclinations.
Honor the troops. But castigate the pols who put them in harm’s way for no defensive reason whatsoever. The Defense Department used to be called the War Department. That’s what it should be called when no real “defense” of the nation is apparent during military conflicts.
Oh, and post 9/11, I would have savaged all the al Qaeda encampments together with any of their adherents. In effect, leveled swaths of Afghanistan. Then hunt down the criminals one by one and try them or shoot them. Then withdraw and tell the Islamic idiots we would destroy them again if they tried it again. Yes, there would be civilian casualties, which we could avoid if avoidable. If not avoidable, so what? Mess with the bull and you get the horns. Sorry about that.
If you harbor terrorists on your soil, there should be consequences. But not an ongoing occupation. And, for goodness sakes, if the dog bites you, kick the dog. Don’t kick the cat because the cat threatened to murder your father (which was the only excuse W could have had for invading Iraq when the terrorists were mostly Saudis training in Afghanistan)
ncorgbl over 4 years ago
The U.S. military does not make policy. They only carry out the policies made by the civilian elected government. Don’t like what they do? Vote better.
Zen-of-Zinfandel over 4 years ago
Weren’t the Japanese balloon bombs a real thing?
Radish the wordsmith over 4 years ago
We’ve been bombing the middle east for a long time, we are afraid of the karma that we are owed.
But so far its just right wing terrorists shooting up the USA, thanks to Republicans.
VegaAlopex over 4 years ago
I’d add these countries want us out, and they hit us because they want us out. The old rationale of the Domino Theory is what caused the American Phase of the Vietnamese Civil War. So now we buy the flatware and other goods made in Vietnam. Yet the administrations still don’t see the futility of wasting blood and treasure, especially the latter, that we don’t have.