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Should the deployment of U.S. Military Forces Be "an easy decision?"

Discussion in 'Political Opinions & Beliefs' started by stone6, Sep 20, 2019.

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  1. stone6

    stone6 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    President Trump, this morning, told the press that an order by him to strike Iran militarily would be an "easy decision." I would contend that ordering U.S. military forces into "harm's way" should never be "and easy decision" no matter what the provocation and especially in an incident in which we were not directly attacked ourselves.
     
    stone6, Sep 20, 2019
    #1
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  2. Adfundum

    Adfundum Moderator Staff Member Donor

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    Hi, stone6.
    The deployment of US military should not be and "easy decision". Such deployments have become political tools.
     
    Adfundum, Sep 20, 2019
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  3. kriman

    kriman Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    That does not mean that under the right circumstances it would not be an easy decision. If Iran is a direct and eminent threat to us with a reasonably sure outcome, it should be an easy decision. If the outcome is questionable or limited value to us, it should not be done.
     
    kriman, Sep 20, 2019
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  4. stone6

    stone6 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Agree
     
    stone6, Sep 20, 2019
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  5. stone6

    stone6 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Either way...IMO...the "decision" to use military force should not be "easy." FDR's decision to ask Congress for a corresponding declaration of war against the Japanese, in response to their "act of war" in bombing Pearl Harbor, was certainly appropriate, but sending U.S. forces "in harm's way" should NEVER be easy. It was a terrible choice of words.
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2019
    stone6, Sep 20, 2019
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  6. kriman

    kriman Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    The decision can be easy, even if it puts people in harms way, if it is the right decision.. I saw too many commanders that could not make a decision.
     
    kriman, Sep 20, 2019
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  7. stone6

    stone6 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    You're talking about "timing." I am talking about the decision itself. I would not want a commander-in-chief who thinks the decision "easy."
     
    stone6, Sep 20, 2019
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  8. wgabrie

    wgabrie Well-Known Member Donor

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    Ordering a military attack on Iran is an easy decision because it doesn't keep people awake at night worrying about the "poor" Iranians. They might have it coming.
     
    wgabrie, Sep 20, 2019
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  9. stone6

    stone6 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    You might want to reach that decision within the context of U.S. interests, before making that decision.
     
    stone6, Sep 20, 2019
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  10. Dayton3

    Dayton3 Well-Known Member

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    Yes it should be.
     
    Dayton3, Sep 20, 2019
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  11. Dayton3

    Dayton3 Well-Known Member

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    Ignoring the fact that FDR was already sending U.S. forces into harms way against the Germans before Pearl Harbor.
     
    Dayton3, Sep 20, 2019
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  12. stone6

    stone6 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Merchant Marines? Even so...I suspect he thought long and hard about it and it wasn't "easy."
     
    stone6, Sep 20, 2019
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  13. kriman

    kriman Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I can be an easy decision. It should not be taken lightly, but that does not mean is not the right decision and an easy decision.
     
    kriman, Sep 20, 2019
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  14. stone6

    stone6 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    A tactical perspective.
     
    stone6, Sep 20, 2019
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  15. Dayton3

    Dayton3 Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Sep 20, 2019
    Dayton3, Sep 20, 2019
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  16. yardmeat

    yardmeat Well-Known Member

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    Trump should brush up on the Constitution. But that isn't exactly a new thing.
     
    yardmeat, Sep 20, 2019
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  17. stone6

    stone6 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    I had, but I also had forgotten. However, I don't think that changes my belief that decisions to go to war (or patrol convoys carrying supplies to an ally engaged in war, when we were not, should not be "easy" and require hard choices.
     
    stone6, Sep 20, 2019
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  18. Dayton3

    Dayton3 Well-Known Member

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    No one declares war anymore. There have been only two declared since World War Two. Both in the Middle East.
     
    Dayton3, Sep 20, 2019
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  19. nra37922

    nra37922 Well-Known Member

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    Should the deployment of U.S. Military Forces Be "an easy decision?"

    ONLY if its a deployment to our Southern Border.
     
    nra37922, Sep 20, 2019
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  20. Dayton3

    Dayton3 Well-Known Member

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    No one declares war anymore. There have been only two declared since World War Two. Both in the Middle East.
    If I were president I would never want a military decision to be "hard". I would want it to be "easy". A no brainer. They attacked. We're retaliating.
     
    Dayton3, Sep 20, 2019
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  21. yardmeat

    yardmeat Well-Known Member

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    If Congress isn't declaring war, we shouldn't be at war. So sad to see so many look upon the Constitution as old hat.
     
    yardmeat, Sep 20, 2019
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  22. stone6

    stone6 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Lot's to think about even with those two givens. What type off attack? What proof do we have regarding the exact attacker? What type of response is appropriate? How many do we put in harm's way? What will be the response to our counter attack? Etc., etc. Not a "no brainer" when lives are at stake.
     
    stone6, Sep 21, 2019
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  23. Dayton3

    Dayton3 Well-Known Member

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    Declarations of war are an anachronism. There is nothing magical about the constitution. It exists and serves a purpose. But it has never been perfect.
     
    Dayton3, Sep 21, 2019
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  24. yardmeat

    yardmeat Well-Known Member

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    I'm sorry you think the Constitution is an anachronism. I disagree. Holding the Dear Leader above the Constitution is dangerous. I hope you come to accept that fact one day.
     
    yardmeat, Sep 21, 2019
    #24
  25. stone6

    stone6 Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Declarations of war have been largely replaced by the War Powers Act, which require formal notification and reporting to Congress and after a certain period of deployment, a resolution authorizing such deployment and requiring regular reports.
     
    stone6, Sep 21, 2019
    #25
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