07 Jan 13
Originally posted by Metal BrainWhile I may support the individual soldiers in the field, I do not support the military-industrial complex. As many of the founding fathers observed, standing armies are a threat to liberty, especially when they become as pervasive and as institutionalized as the vast and bloated US military establishment.
People on facebook post that they "support the troops" all the time. If you are one of them, what is it that you support them doing?
You don't support everything they do (Robert Bales), so what is it that you support?
07 Jan 13
Originally posted by Metal BrainThe troops where I live are Indonesian. Do you mean us to talk about the troops where each of us is in the world?
People on facebook post that they "support the troops" all the time. If you are one of them, what is it that you support them doing?
You don't support everything they do (Robert Bales), so what is it that you support?
Originally posted by Metal Brain'Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg?
People on facebook post that they "support the troops" all the time. If you are one of them, what is it that you support them doing?
You don't support everything they do (Robert Bales), so what is it that you support?
I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives.
You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline.
I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it.
I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way.'
07 Jan 13
1 edit
I agree with both rwingett and KN. To rwingett's point: I've made no secret of the bonds I've made through military service. However, while the rest of the world looks to the United States for military leadership, and while the US military does (in my view) have an important role to play in the guarantee of free trade, among its many other missions, I agree that the military-industrial complex has grown too large. What I find scarier than the overt military is the shawdow military/intelligence establishment that is invisible and unaccountable to the American people. Google "Utah Data Center". If that's not un-American, I don't know what is.
To KN's point: I agree. "I support the troops" or "Support The Troops" is meaningless. You don't support the troops by putting a bumper sticker or a yellow ribbon on your car. Saying that you "Support The Troops" is often nothing more tangible than the two aforementioned actions. George W. Bush wanted Americans to support the troops by propping up the economy, i.e. going shopping. But that's nowhere near as grotesque as calling military benefits "entitlements", as alot of talk has centered around the last few years.
07 Jan 13
Originally posted by Rank outsiderHa! Probably my favorite individual scene in a military movie.
'Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg?
I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while ...[text shortened]... in which I provide it.
I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way.'
07 Jan 13
Originally posted by KazetNagorraIsn't it a misleading phrase? Maybe even dangerous if people really believe it and some do. I shouldn't have to remind people of the horrible things the USA has done but here is one example.
It's just a meaningless phrase, like "God bless America".
http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2002/jul/tuskegee/
If god blessed this I'm not impressed with god. Why do people believe such blessed nonsense?
07 Jan 13
Originally posted by rwingettWhy would the opinions of the founding fathers, who lived in horse & buggy days, be relevant today? None of them could have foreseen the technological and industrial explosion of the 20th century.
While I may support the individual soldiers in the field, I do not support the military-industrial complex. As many of the founding fathers observed, standing armies are a threat to liberty, especially when they become as pervasive and as institutionalized as the vast and bloated US military establishment.
It is literally impossible for a country to have an adequate means of self defense without a military industrial complex. You can reasonably argue that the size and scope of the US military goes beyond what is necessary, but the mere existence of an MIC absolutely is necessary.
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07 Jan 13
Originally posted by Metal BrainI am one of those psychologically dubious people who is not on Facebook. My wife takes care of that. I support feeding, housing, arming, outfitting, training, transporting, protecting, mending physical and emotional damage, etc., via my taxes and by my words and other actions, and if I thought it would help, my prayers. I do not support the idea of sending them on missions spurred by partisan politics or empire building or corporate interests or other motivations outside of genuine national security threats.
People on facebook post that they "support the troops" all the time. If you are one of them, what is it that you support them doing?
You don't support everything they do (Robert Bales), so what is it that you support?
07 Jan 13
Originally posted by JS357We're in agreement there.
I am one of those psychologically dubious people who is not on Facebook. My wife takes care of that. I support feeding, housing, arming, outfitting, training, transporting, protecting, mending physical and emotional damage, etc., via my taxes and by my words and other actions, and if I thought it would help, my prayers. I do not support the idea of sending the ...[text shortened]... ilding or corporate interests or other motivations outside of genuine national security threats.
07 Jan 13
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperYou obviously have no idea what a "military industrial complex" is.
Why would the opinions of the founding fathers, who lived in horse & buggy days, be relevant today? None of them could have foreseen the technological and industrial explosion of the 20th century.
It is literally impossible for a country to have an adequate means of self defense without a military industrial complex. You can reasonably argue th ...[text shortened]... ilitary goes beyond what is necessary, but the mere existence of an MIC absolutely is necessary.
09 Jan 13
1 edit
Originally posted by rwingettIt's the marrying of a national military with private industry. So please answer my question. Why would the opinions of the founding fathers, who lived in horse & buggy days, be relevant today?
You obviously have no idea what a "military industrial complex" is.