Call it police action, peace keeping, counter insurgency, nation building, or whatever. You are an occupying army in a foreign land. Your presence there is an act of war to many if not all of the residents. At one time we were in a world wide war against communism.. the threat was if all the world went red, they would eventually take us out, too. But that did not happen. Communism fizzled, & their own people rebelled & changed their system. The threat to the us now is terrorism. We fear terrorists coming into our turf & doing another 9/11 action. So we justify preemptive strikes against other countries because some of them might have had a hand in the 9/11 attack. We also have military bases all over the world. We practice wartime maneuovers near nations we want to intimidate. We send in drones & seal teams to kill kidnappers & enemy combatants. All of this costs the taxpayers a lot of money.. money the govt does not have, & the taxpayers are not willing to pay. So the us govt does it on credit. IMO, the most we should do is the seal team extractions for us citizens being held hostage. We cannot afford to be the world policeman. Let regions where there is conflict police themselves. Why should we meddle in affairs we have little to do with, other than some vague notion of 'american interests'? For too long the us has used the military to prop up business investment, or some crony dictator who kills & oppresses his own people. This is immoral & unconstitutional. Here are some steps i think will help with the deficit & promoting freedom. 1. End all foreign aid. Let other nations take care of themselves, & build themselves. If there is a tyrant in power, oppressing his people, let the whole world, & especially the neighboring countries be involved. If there are problems in Mexico or Canada, we can consider how their situation affects us & take whatever actions are appropriate. 2. No executive police actions. Unless there is a direct threat that requires immediate action, all military endeavors should be prohibited without the full approval of the congress. No preemtive strikes.. no drone attacks.. no bombing or shelling of another country, unless we are in full congressional agreement. 3. If we decide to take military action, it should be swift & severe. Do what we need to do to eliminate our enemies. No political posturing & trying to appear appeasing. If we're going to war, do it right. Go to war & end it. Otherwise, use diplomacy. This is the idea behind 'speak softly & carry a big stick'. 4. Close all foreign military bases. I don't see any constitutional madate for the us to have occupying forces throughout the world. They do not promote good will, regardless of what the propagandists say. Keep our military at home, unless there is a direct threat to our national security. If there is, end the threat, then come home. We are in a post imperialistic world. Super powers are unsure of their role. They can't just conquer other countries & rule them or colonize them, like they used to, but have to be 'caring' or 'sensitive' to the people in those countries. And if the people we are 'helping' don't like us & instead shoot at us, our feelings are hurt & we bomb them. We should instead offer an open hand of commerce & friendship. If it is not accepted, there are plenty of other nations who will. If some country wants to attack us (and there would be fewer motives if we are not meddling), we can return the favor. Our current policies of military engagement seem to be to promote our military industrial complex.. keep the money flowing in arms & warfare. This is not the ideological position of a freedom loving people. Preventive war was an invention of Hitler. Frankly, I would not even listen to anyone seriously that came and talked about such a thing. Dwight D. Eisenhower It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world. Thomas Jefferson Anyone who has proclaimed violence his method inexorably must choose lying as his principle. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Drones for terrorists?... Terror and toy planes - not so remote August 7th, 2012: The video recovered by Spanish security services shows a man guiding a large remote-controlled plane in the skies of southern Spain. The plane banks and begins a controlled descent. Two packets drop - one from either wing - to the delight of the "pilot."
I worked for the UN Peace Keeping Dept., and in my opinion, how to stop it is Dont let money and rank blinds you War is about to get wealthy, territory, power
Well, now, I believe it's time to cut aid, to Israel, and get any religionists out of media, and kick AIPAC out of the US.
Here's a quick shot, at stuff in the way, of even enforcement, of the law, in the US and around the world: 1. AIPAC and Israel and Judeo-Christian subversion, of all constitutional rule and process 2. Profiteering, by any greedy, top-drawer, corporate and crime cartels 3. Profiteering, by all administrators, armed bureaucrats, and elected officials 4. Residual British Imperial hegemony, which started Israel and likes to subvert governments, directed to privatizing oil interests, which will benefit BP and other corporations (see Iran, Iraq, wherever BP goes) 5. US hegemony, in collusion with British hegemony, which keeps the US from growing industrial hemp, bigtime, which Canada has surplussed, since the 1990s, to make ethanol and any products, whenever its oil and gas is all sold 6. CORRUPTION and COLLUSION and CARTELS and GANGS, so turf runs, in all directions 7. Prison profiteering, so corporations are literally profiteering, off the egregious enforcement industry's funding, of 25% of the world's prisoners, by oppressing 5% of the world's population, in the US, and then US administrators send money, for oppression anti-industry, around the world. The US will suffer a budget crisis, in November 2012. The BRICS nations will found their own, non-dollar world bank. CO2 emissions, banning of hemp and all cyclic carbon media, and trashing of CO2-respirators has raised CO2 concentrations, faster than any other CO2 increase, EVER. Any time CO2 concentration rises, partly as fast as it is rising, today, a mass extinction event has resulted. Modern corporate-affected media is controverting this fact, to start arguments about how fast the global temperature has gone up, when what matters is THE PERENNIAL ICE IS MELTING, which is cooling average global temperatures, but even though solar intensity has been relatively mild, we are seeing a whole lot of temperature increases. High temp records out-number low-temp records, 2-1. By 2050, this will be 20-1, and by 2100, 50-1. The rains pick up CO2, NO2, and SO2, from the atmosphere, to become acidic. This ALWAYS makes the oceans relatively acidic, with any pH 7 meltwaters, to kill off all desirable ocean life, starting with corals (see the records), eggs, little fish, oysters, and plankton. When the northern cap ice fails and GHGs are more off the hook, the Earth will heat up, SUDDENLY. We aren't seeing THAT, yet, since the northern ice is still failing, with all permafrost, so CH4 and more CO2 are out-gassing, from warming lands and waters. Fish are dying, and most will become extinct, including many species and families, before 2100. Kiss a fish GOODBYE! Jellyfish become the dominant ocean species, and HS2 respirators evolve. THIS HAPPENED, BEFORE, but not because humans burned or cut or polluted, on a global scale. Usually a mass extinction takes volcanism or a meteorite impact. What we are experiencing is meathead impact. Don't argue too much, about how much temperatures went up. That was only a little increase. Coming soon enough is a major average temperature increase, faster than this has ever happened. Water-borne life doesn't live through the fast changes. Never has, AND IT NEVER WILL SURVIVE. The Forrest Gump idea of getting a better lawnmower won't reduce carbon footprint or re-green. Just saying. See Rousey-Kaufmann on Showtime, tonight. Catfights be rad.
The thing about the Great Game, where nations compete for hegemony is that, power always find a vacuum to fill. If it is not the U.S that's interfering and invading foreign countries, to set up sphere of influences, then other country will. One day, China will be doing this, they already doing so in the so called South China Sea. All great power rise and decline once it reaches its zenith. However, in order to keep the empire strong, resources must flow into the empire, that's the reason why there is outward expansions and over reaching to others territory. You know the saying "all roads lead to Romes," powerful empire, in order to stay strong, must build roads to absorbs resources and to influence others. Like it or not, isolationism means quicker decline, but so is overreaching. There has to be a balance somewhere...
Dude, China is the way it is because the US supported the murderous Chiang regime, paid a lot, to corrupt guys, to get things built, during WWII, and then the CIA flew B-24 Liberators, from Tibet and Taiwan, 1948, prededing the Korean War and the Black Cat Squadron, to incite Chinese taking, of Tibet AND the Korean War. The US is an insane, Judeo-Christian-affected hegemon, which must fail, and the US is due to fail. The Chinese will likely ease up, when the US isn't giving orders and issuing propaganda. China is playing a long-term strategy, while the US is home, to profiteers, who are only preaching tactics. We can't pay for geek tactics, which deflect, for profiteering strategy. See 2013? Almost here, isn't it. The Chinese own a couple trillion $$ of US debt, with all that and business real estate owned, by Japan, UK, Russia, Britain, etc. The US is running a hegemonic economy, which STEALS all it can. Chinese and other Asian immigrants faced a lot of discrimination, in the US. Get used to China calling shots. When the BRICS nations get their own world bank, there goes MORE US hegemonic media.
War is a constant in the history of human beings. It is an extension of the individual.. a reflection of the true nature of man. From childhood, force & violence are part of our psyche.. it is the most basic method to solve problems. The direct use of force is such a poor solution to any problem, it is generally employed only by small children and large nations. ~David Friedman Why do we do it? 1. Wars of aggression. We want other people's stuff or land, so we take it, if we can. 2. Defensive war. Someone is trying to take our stuff or land, & we fight them over it. 3. Righteous war. We provide protection or aid to a friend, or to rid the world of evil. Slogans like, 'Make the world safe for democracy', or 'The war to end all wars' are used to rally people. 4. Preemptive war. The idea that to promote peace, we need to invade or bomb another country to prevent war. 5. Wars of manipulation. This is when propaganda or deception is used to manipulate people to believe that war is the only recourse in dealing with a problem. A scapegoat is created, blaming the nations' problems on them. It can be someone internal to the nation, like jews, the monarchy, the capitalists, the bourgeois; or it can be something outside, like infidels, the suffering children, or the Great Satan. 6. Wars of destiny. We have been chosen by a higher power or ideology to subjugate other nations, for their own good. It is our duty to promote our ideology with them, & help them, even if we have to kill them. These sometimes have religious tones to them, calling upon god to help us slay the wicked & promote his righteousness. People are called to sacrifice altruistically for the cause, or to god, or for the betterment of mankind. Some of these reasons overlap, & build upon each other. Usually, war is not something that is done logically. It is an emotional appeal by the leaders. People naturally get fired up over war.. it appeals to the nationalistic fervor of the citizens, & leaders often use the distraction of war to solidify their power base if it starts to weaken. But it is the very quality of the emotional appeal of war that makes it difficult to manage. It is more like a forest fire than a controlled burn. Things can quickly escalate until the whole world is in the throes of war. War, in it's most basic form, is the ultimate extension of morality. Might makes right. Those who win the wars, write the history. They always show justification for their actions. There is no problem that cannot be solved by war. Any question of ownership, sovereignty over land or sea, racial or ethnic superiority, or any other issue that comes up in inter human relationships can always be settled with violence. What should be the attitude of a free people, regarding war? 1. Be honest. Of course, we won't do that; neither will the promoters of war. They always use justification.. emotionally based calls for the rightness of the cause. We won't just say we want the other guy's stuff, it has to be a noble cause for justice & liberty. But if we were honest in our true motivations for war, we would eliminate a lot of suffering & needless destruction. 2. Live & let live. We don't have to take it upon ourselves to dictate to other nations how they should live. A free society should be tolerant within AND without. But we won't do that, either. We're a meddlesome, bossy species, always involved in other people's business. 3. Speak softly & carry a big stick. Any aggressive force can be met with an equally ferocious force. We do not have to be peaceniks or quakers, but can defend ourselves. 4. Be skeptical of the manipulators. Something this serious should not be entered into with whimsical emotions. We should have clear, well defined boundaries for any military action. If they want to make the argument that we need to invade another country & take their stuff, they should make that case. But we should not be manipulated with images of crying children or tales of injustice. 5. The military should not be the decision makers for war. They exist for war, & always have a solution ready, based on violence, destruction or intimidation. They should be the implementers, if war is chosen. The US constitution has clear boundaries for entering into war. But the leaders have bypassed the constitution (ignored it) by using emotional appeals. 'We need to save the children!' 'These people are evil & need to be defeated!' But the central question should not be, 'What can we do to end this injustice!?!' It should be resolved with #6 above.. Is it our duty or destiny to provide justice for the world? THAT is the central motive for most of the wars in the last 100 years. America has felt an obligation to be the global justice provider. It is an extension of 'manifest destiny' of imperialistic times, & needs to be directly faced. It is not a valid reason to use violence on other nations, if we no longer believe in the basic ideology of global destiny. Here's why the US should NOT be involved in other nations' affairs, or be 'the policeman of the world'. 1. We cannot afford it. It is that simple, & that should be enough. If we had a balanced budget, we would not do it. The taxpayers would revolt over oppressive taxation. But the politicians do it anyway, & send our children the bill. 2. To be consistent, we would have to show moral outrage over EVERY injustice on the planet, & bomb nations in africa, europe, asia, south america, & mexico. Instead, we hypocritically pick & choose where we want to fight injustice, turning a blind eye to other places. 3. Propping up evil dictators is unbecoming for a free people, as is promoting any corporate interests, or supporting crony corruption. 4. It is possible to be a neutral, freedom loving nation. We can be like switzerland.. which the left always gazes at with longing & adoration. Why not adopt their foreign policy? 5. We cannot trust bureaucrats or military intelligence to provide a full picture. There is always a hidden agenda, or propaganda, or some manipulation going on. Military actions should be clear matters of national security, not emotionally based fear mongering. 6. We make enemies of people we could be at peace with. Our meddling feeds the 'ugly american' syndrome. 7. Innocent blood is on our hands. We are responsible for the deaths of innocent people.. collateral damage. Our own soldiers are sacrificed for some politician's dreams of glory or historical significance. We the people should not be dupes to their manipulating propaganda. Most people will read this (long!) treatise about war & agree. They see the rationale & the evils of war. But as soon as there is some hyped up event, all the basis for our actions are forgotten, & the hysteria of war seizes the discussion. We are too easily manipulated by some politician's agenda. Emotion rules, rather than a solid philosophical basis. We need to get our ideological ducks in a row, & keep them there, especially in times of hysterical shouts for war.
It seemed more applicable, now, & i had more to say on the subject. But the deafening silence on the subject shows that hysteria & war drums will always trump quiet reason & common sense.
Sorry, all I see is a rambling post with very little substance. Like the "ignoring the Constitution" part, which I really find funny to be honest.
I think some guys are missing the point here... you think america is a beneficence association or more likely an imperialist power? Do you think foreign wars are really meant to help people? Plz you guys study some rome history! Maybe you will understand quite a few things about power and wars.
Funny, the only "Imperialistic Power" that has not grown in size in well over 100 years. In fact, not only has it not grown, it has shrunk because it gave away large areas of land. Funniest "Imperialism" I have ever seen.
C'mon man are you trolling me? Do you think imperialism is a mere matter of geographic expansion? Imperialism is not only about conquering nations, it has to do with the control of foreign politics, putting puppets or at least friendly governors wherever you can. Pratically all the western world now is more or less under control of america, i suppose you know something about this right?
And exactly what and how many nations do we "control"? Hmmm? One thing you will learn if you try to debate me, you have better be able to back up what you say with facts, not propaganda and slogans. And so far, all I have seen is the latter from you, and none of the former.
Oh, we're obviously an imperialist nation. Our CIA is the most meddlesome institution on the planet. I think we should dissolve the federal government via a Constitutional Amendment so's we can end the foreign adventurism for good.
And of the imperialism that other nations (mostly Mexico) are imposing on America ? What say you about that ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Mexico#Remittances
Under direct control you have none... but think about your wars in middle east, do you really think they were about peace and love? Who said petrol? mmmhhh?!
What was it the Greek guy said? All wars are fought over pride, interests and fear, so take your pick.
Well, funny how most of those countries would destroy us if they could... funny kind of control there, eh? And well, I never said a word about petrol, but you sure have. What that has to do with this discussion, I have no idea. Why not admit you have absolutely no proof, and are just saying slogans? I asked you for an example of countries we control, and you actually come back with a region where we have almost no control at all. Not exactly a way to make a case you know.
well, i'm glad to have entertained you.. and of course, you can see whatever you want to see. This was my view, which i backed with points & arguments. IMO, we are stuck in between eras.. we can't be fully imperialistic, conquer a nation & take their stuff. And we can't be altruistic & promote liberty & peace, because there is no money in that. So the politicians pretend to be aching with compassion, while planning bombing runs & missile attacks. 'We'll kill them for the children!' is their call.
