Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mario H. Gonzalez on March 23, 2011 at 5:19pm

I agree! I wonder how much $ our country spends on defense? The scarry part is that If you look at every war we have fought since Vietnam, the US has been very uneffective in eliminating the threats.  Our country must go back to picking and choosing its wars, and when we do go to war, we must fight to eliminate the threat completelly and swiftlly!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kyle O'Connor on April 14, 2011 at 12:37am

This is an especially challenging issue that does not leave us with any acceptable choice.  It's Sophie's Choice.  Maybe instead of wondering why we are reacting in Libya we should look at the long term policies that bring people such as Gaddafi into power.  When we are complacent or make deals with "the devil" in foreign policy we are going to deal with "blowback" in some form or another.  Whether we are attached or we are doing the attaching, there is always some type of perverted management going on in these situations.  If we become more proactive rather than reactive we may find that we can manage our foreign policy issues more effectively by focusing on establishing the four basic human rights that FDR talked about: 

1. Freedom of speech and expression
2. Freedom of worship
3. Freedom from want
4. Freedom from fear

That being said, if a leader is killing his people then the strong nations of the world must take a stand.  We have sought to create institutions that can handle these types of activites but the real challenge is figuring out whether or not what we are doing is ethical and in line with our values.  The use of violence is a particularly touchy issue because it is always, ALWAYS negative, even when used in self defense.  Self defense is necessary but tell me if you feel good after committing violence even in self defense.  I don't know if we can make an economic argument against these actions either.  I don't want to say it, but is is good for our economy because these weapons are going to have to be manufactured again to replace the expended ordinance.  The flight costs are no different than the cost of training sorties.  This is not a justification but only a truthful observation.  The core question I am asking in light of this reality is why is war profitable?  When war is no longer profitable it will not be used.  How do we dismantle the war machine and end the profitability of war?  Again, we have to go to the core to solve this problem.

 

If the President used a stinky bathroom in the middle of the city we wouldn't blame him as if he made the stinky bathroom.  The stinky bathroom is there and we need to focus on cleaning it up rather than blaming those who can't hold it any more and have no choice.  This was not a situation of choice in my opinion.  There are deeply entrenched systems at work that will take real courage to dismantle.  This is the reason why we are exploring this 3rd party option.   

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keith John Ferguson on April 14, 2011 at 10:51am

 On November 1951 at the nuclear test site in Nevada Operation buster was the first U.S. nuclear field exercise conducted on land with U.S. troops 6 miles away from the blast. I guess no troops died from radiation exposure and no family members died from cancer from all the nuke testing in Nevada. And do you remember Kent State University involving the shooting of unarmed college students by the Ohio National Guard on 5/4/70 killing 4 wounding nine others American students. I guess this didn't happin here.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kyle O'Connor on April 14, 2011 at 12:31pm

It is good that you point this out because it helps all of us who have been brainwashed by the mystique of America.  I love my country as I know you do as well but the denial of factual events in our history does not allow us to move beyond those events if we cannot admit fault and move on.  American is not heaven or the new Jerusalem.  It is a country of, by and for a people who do good and bad things.  There is, however, a danger in going into the past too much because, in a way, it keeps us from moving beyond those mistakes.  We need to be knowledgeable about who we have been as a people but we also need to move forward with a concise vision for a better future with an actionable checklist that will move us towards more peace and success.  We also need to avoid demonizing others.  The "Hitlerization" of anyone who makes foolish mistakes is not serving the debate.  Often times mistakes are made by those who have good intentions in their heart.  This is why it is so important to establish our core values based on democratic philosophy so that when challenges come our way we do not act out in an inappropriate manner.  The ends do not justify the means, EVER!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kyle O'Connor on April 14, 2011 at 12:52pm

That sounds like a really great idea but as a former military officer I can tell you that what we are seeing in our history of conflict is the typical reality of the fog of war.  War is hell.  There is no way to make war nice or efficient.  War itself is the problem and we can deconstruct the processes that get us into war and figure out how we can avoid it as often as possible.  War is reactive.  We need to be proactive.

Mario H. Gonzalez said:

I agree! I wonder how much $ our country spends on defense? The scarry part is that If you look at every war we have fought since Vietnam, the US has been very uneffective in eliminating the threats.  Our country must go back to picking and choosing its wars, and when we do go to war, we must fight to eliminate the threat completelly and swiftlly!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Daniel Penisten on April 14, 2011 at 10:13pm

Bring Home ALL Our Warriors. Defend America in America. Plenty to do here, for Our Soldiers. Fall Back and Regroup. Consolidate Our Strength instead of squandering it in Empire Wars. This would greatly help Our Economy too.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Daniel Penisten on April 14, 2011 at 10:21pm

For those that can't be "happy" unless they are fighting, killing and dieing in foreign lands, let's establish the "American Foreign Legion" and help Our Economy by renting it out to fight in other nation's struggles. Hopefully, We would be Wise and Good enough to only aid "worthy" causes with this fighting force.

Also, this "Legion" could be shock troops to buy Our Defense Forces some re-action time, if We are attacked here.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mario H. Gonzalez on August 31, 2011 at 5:32pm

Yes, what I dont understand is NATO was established to keep the peace around the world...so, why is the US invloved with all these struggles.  Let NATO do it's job and if any one threatens the US directlly, then send the boys to kick their butts!!!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keith John Ferguson on June 26, 2011 at 3:00pm

I wrote about Libya on 3/18/11 and the money is still flowing and when will it stop

• ▶ Reply