NorwichDad
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2010
- Messages
- 1,351
In 1939, the relative powers of the nations states in question were quite different. We also did not have nuclear weapons or true WMDs. Even at 496K for the Army, the combined power of the US DoD along with our nuclear arsenal far outweighs our nearest "peer" competitors in terms of war-fighting capabilities and the ability to defend our borders. I'm on board with NorwichDad's thoughts on the matter. What nation would dare invade the U.S. territories and risk the brunt of our 2K or so strategic nuclear weapons?
Maybe, but don't make us mad. There is nothing more dangerous in this world than America when it is really angry.Any nation would risk our 2K nuclear weapons because we do not have the political will to use them.
I agree with Wilco, with little or no skin in the game the American people are much more willing to just write the check so to speak and send OUR children off to war.
Fully agree balancing of military readiness and needs is always required. But who determines the Country’s “needs” and ultimately the balancing? Appears to be a completely dysfunctional Washington.
My point is the reduction of the actual physical forces, the men and woman day to day in the military, has a resulting negative impact on the Country, and by extension the stability, and security of the Country. The leaders and the public mouth respect and support for “the military” but fewer and fewer are willing to actually join or make the fiscal demands needed. Last three Democratic Administrations looked to cut the military when they had the chance. We hear in the business world everyone needs to do more with less. But in the military that mentality has fatal consequences. Everyone here no doubt had family or friends (or perhaps themselves) who did at 2, 3 or even 4, tours in Iraq/Afghanastan. Because we spent first part of 2000s catching up from the 1990s force cuts. The World is a dangerous place and we are the most technologically advanced but security, in MHO, means more. Cutting the forces allows for more disconnect by the leaders and the public which in turn leads to poor foreign policy decisions because such leaders, and 98% of the public, have so little invested in our military, and by extension in the Country.
I have ranted enough and will get off the soapbox.
The city I mean not the general or state(JCLEPPE).
I agree with Wilco, with little or no skin in the game the American people are much more willing to just write the check so to speak and send OUR children off to war.
Scoutpilot you know full well the President does not declare war but I will take the bait: Constitution, Article 1, Section 8: The Congress shall have the Power To: Declare War; and to raise and support Armies.
But it took decades to re-build after Vietnam. The “peace dividend” of the 1990s hurt our readiness at 9/11.
I am not shouting more defense money always, or larger forces forever. But I do not think I am being intellectually dishonest by questionning the size of the military downsizing in light of the unsettled security situation in the world.
..... because it means that our investments in technology have bought us nothing.
I am not shouting more defense money always, or larger forces forever. But I do not think I am being intellectually dishonest by questionning the size of the military downsizing in light of the unsettled security situation in the world.
yed by the VietanScoutpilot you know full well the President does not declare war but I will take the bait: Constitution, Article 1, Section 8: The Congress shall have the Power To: Declare War; and to raise and support Armies.
And you know full well that we don't declare war anymore.
36,000 Americans died in Korea.
55,000 Americans died in Vietnam.
32,000 Americans were killed or wounded in Iraq.
Not a single declaration of war was made. Not one. The American President doesn't declare war. He just sends us to them. And we haven't voted a single one of them out for doing it.
So don't pretend that the American people are behind this. We are a tool of the Executive, and have been since 1945.