"Hate Speech" or the Truth?

[ThAnswr]

I was just reading on the Cato page he linked to that blamed the shortfall in recruiting not on the willingness of America's youth, but on the unwillingness of the parent's whose kids are too young to join without parental consent to sign the paperwork!! It's all about family values, I guess.

When all else fails, the righties invariably blame the American people who don't have the stomach for a war OR the selfish parents who just don't want to see their children leave.

Remember that the next time some rightie complains about the "blame America" crowd.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Is this a joke?

Starting with Bush, Cheney, and the Bush cabinet, is there anyone who has a child in the military, least of all in Iraq? I know Ashcroft did, but I believe he was the only one.

Just more of the same old...

 

[Tigger_Magic]

So, T_M, as far as letting the generals fight the war, that Bush administration horse has been out of barn since the beginning.

Gee, when was the last war that we ever let the generals run without the insertion of noses from politicians? Hmmm... the one in 1776? This has been a problem down through the ages. Sadly it's not something that will easily or maybe ever be changed.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Gee, when was the last war that we ever let the generals run without the insertion of noses from politicians? Hmmm... the one in 1776? This has been a problem down through the ages. Sadly it's not something that will easily or maybe ever be changed.

You might want to reread your suggestions to winning the war in Iraq. It's one of your key points?!?! Am I the only one seeing the disconnect with T_M's two posts?

 

[Tigger_Magic]

You might want to reread your suggestions to winning the war in Iraq. It's one of your key points?!?! Am I the only one seeing the disconnect with T_M's two posts?

Welcome to reality, LOG! You asked what I would do differently. What I offered was my own pipe dream. I also am ready to acknowledge reality.

Disconnect? Hardly. Pipe dream meets reality. Reality wins.

Do you think someone in authority is actually going to listen to what I say about the Iraq war?

 

[ThAnswr]

Just more of the same old...

No joke.

 

[peachgirl]

Do you think someone in authority is actually going to listen to what I say about the Iraq war?

Nah....

That's just too easy.

 

[DisDuck]

A couple of thougts on your solution/plan T_M. You state at the end that a time-table should only be set AFTER all of the above is accomplished. Yet you do not give any hints on how long it would take to complete your plan, 1 yr, 5 yrs, 10 yrs, 20 yrs.. How long? The end result seems just like Bush's 'stay the course' with no mention on how long that course might be. Hey, maybe we can beat the record on length of a war. I think the longest on record is The Hundred Years War.

Now on your comment on letting the Generals run the war and keep the politicians/civilians out of it. Maybe your real question is why did the Founding Fathers and Framers of The Constitution (including George Washington) set up this 'crazy' system in the first place, gee the idea that the military should report to civilian authority.. What nonsense! Or maybe they had the history of Europe and its military as an example to NOT EMULATE.

Finally, what do you think would happen if we 'took out' bases in Saudi Arabia, etc as you suggested. Do you like gas at $2.61 per gallon? Probably would be $26 per gallon following your advice. Or do you suggest we occupy the entire Middle East and recreate the Ottoman Empire?

 

[Tigger_Magic]

A couple of thougts on your solution/plan T_M. You state at the end that a time-table should only be set AFTER all of the above is accomplished. Yet you do not give any hints on how long it would take to complete your plan, 1 yr, 5 yrs, 10 yrs, 20 yrs.. How long? The end result seems just like Bush's 'stay the course' with no mention on how long that course might be. Hey, maybe we can beat the record on length of a war. I think the longest on record is The Hundred Years War.

The shortest war was only 38 minutes long in 1896 between Great Britian and Zanzibar. The point: one cannot predict how long this would take and setting timetables only creates traps into which the foolish can fall. It takes as long as it take to finish the job. If I had to give my best guesstimate, I'd say a minimum of 2 - 3 years and sadly, given how the Iraqis are doing with their Constitution, may be quite overly optimistic.

Now on your comment on letting the Generals run the war and keep the politicians/civilians out of it. Maybe your real question is why did the Founding Fathers and Framers of The Constitution (including George Washington) set up this 'crazy' system in the first place, gee the idea that the military should report to civilian authority.. What nonsense! Or maybe they had the history of Europe and its military as an example to NOT EMULATE.

I understand why the FF decided to create the gov't. we have. I don't think they envisioned politicians literally playing war games like they do. I understand the military reporting to a civilian authority; I don't understand those in the civilian authority who have no knowledge or grasp of military tactics trying to second-guess the people that do. Those who can, do; those who can't teach; everyone else goes into politics.

Finally, what do you think would happen if we 'took out' bases in Saudi Arabia, etc as you suggested. Do you like gas at $2.61 per gallon? Probably would be $26 per gallon following your advice. Or do you suggest we occupy the entire Middle East and recreate the Ottoman Empire?

Did I suggest that ANY of my ideas were even remotely feasible? Don't think so. I know this would never happen, but I threw the idea out on the table because otherwise we are just giving lip-service to the idea of truly fighting terrorism. Although I suppose I have that wrong, too. It's a fight against religious extremists now. Whatever it is, we have to root it out wherever it exists.

 

[DisDuck]

According to Venezuela, terrorism exists in the US in the person of Pat Robertson. They are requested a condemnation of his remarks from our government. So far just wimpish words about not agreeing with his statements. Therefore, we should extend the global war on terror to the US and Pat Robertson.

 

[swilphil]

Hard to argue with the DOD...

What a surprise. I note that this particular report is from '98. Given the difficulites in recruitment as of late, I would guess that it's only gotten worse since this report was made.

Thanks for the info. You're a Peach

 

[dcentity2000]

According to Venezuela, terrorism exists in the US in the person of Pat Robertson. They are requested a condemnation of his remarks from our government. So far just wimpish words about not agreeing with his statements. Therefore, we should extend the global war on terror to the US and Pat Robertson.

DisDuck, I love your signature, really embodies true grass roots liberalism



Rich::

 

[peachgirl]

Thanks for the info. You're a Peach

You're more than welcome, I do what I can.

 

[DisDuck]

Actually, Dcent, most people consider Libertarians to be right-wingers because we are avowed capitalists. What is lost on most who believe that is Libertarianism is more than just laissez faire. It is primarily a philosophy that believes in total human rights without legislating moral values. In fact during Reagans years Libertarianists consider him to have fascist tendencies as he believed in legislating morals. Bush is just that much worse as he throws in theology. Ayn Rand is one the 'founders' of modern Libertarianism.