Thought for the Day
If you go back in the history of war, the general's answer is always to ask for more troops.
That doesn't necessarily mean it's the wrong answer, but it's always the same answer.
That doesn't necessarily mean it's the wrong answer, but it's always the same answer.
posted by mikevotes at
6:55 AM
9 Comments:
Again, doesn't necessarily mean it's the wrong call in any specific situation, but every general wants more equipment and men.
By
mikevotes, at 7:36 AM
No. I got your point. The general's aren't necessarily cynical or lusting for war, but their speciality is warfare so they look for solutions from their particular frame of reference.
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-epm, at 9:05 AM
And I probably should have qualified "in the field" generals. Those responsible for battles or wars.
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mikevotes, at 10:04 AM
That's why I've never understood why after Korea we don't have massive "all in" wars. Declare war take what we came for, set up the bases to keep it coming onto our shores like we want it. We did it in the Wars Gen. Semdley Butler fought for Wall Street, why don't we do it that way now?
I understand colonial wars and wars of aggression for strategic balance. But the American War Factory Inc. turns it into a patriotic mishmash of jingoism and trite sentimentality.
Admit we're the new Roman Empire and get on with it.
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Anonymous, at 12:30 PM
Maybe there should be a draft? It certainly changed a few minds about Vietnam.
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Anonymous, at 2:05 PM
A draft will never fly. Most pro-war Americans I've met are of the ignorant/schizoid mentality that are repeating the mantra's but don't actually connect them with life and society. When it comes to their kid well then that's enough of that. It's also impossible to discuss anything meaningful with that type because they don't really hold what they say as a principle or foundation of their life view. It's just what they feel at the moment and it's transient propaganda.
I think we're getting at the end of the empire cycle because we're not going to be able to recreate the cycle of abundance and the propaganda matrix that keeps US citizens believing that this is the best country on earth. The GOP has a major hold on destroying that overarching cohesion by their insane views and regressive anti-intellectual stances that are their mainstream ideology.
The Dems don't understand that and they will never get any of their ideas to fly unless they can take over the propaganda war. Non-stop positive American messages along with targeted meaningful social initiatives are needed by the Dems right now!!! Make Fox and all those charlatans naked by taking over the constant malaise and self-hatred of country that they preach. Make Americans realize what kind of a country they live and to take hold of that beautiful ideal and bring us back from the idiocy of the GOP molochs.
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Anonymous, at 3:35 PM
Anon 1, The Powell Doctrine, straight up. The only war fought that way was Gulf War I, in big bang, and out. However, you could also argue that the mistake is trying to take and hold colonies by force in this new era of cheap significant individual firepower. The British and the Romans didn't face AK's, C4/IED's, man powered antitank and low level anti-air missiles.....
....
Anon 3, I agree a draft doesn't fly in these wars in this climate. In theory, immediately after 9/11 they could have probably passed a draft if the fight was only Afghanistan and primarily Al Qaeda, ut once Bin Laden left the country, the entire symbology changed.
As for Empire, I agree we're at the end of a cycle. There are some technical arguments about the economy, and a few about the shift in world balance, but since your talking ideal, let me offer this. The dream that your children will get a better world than you had is dying out. The faith that our politicians will work honestly is gone, and the idea of country over individual was demolished in the me first 80's.
The bottom line is that trying to recapture that vision may be near impossible. MAybe you could build a new "American Dream," a new social compact, but as long as the schools are failing and income distribution is rising, it's going to be hard to sell the future to the people of the present.
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mikevotes, at 4:38 PM
Mike
Schools aren't failing PARENTS are failing my wife has taught for 19 years and the kids are getting worse all the time. There used to be one problem kid per 250 kids. Now every single classroom has 2 - 3 severely violent and challenged children. It's a real horror show. It's true that ignorant people have outbred smart people and we're outnumbered. We've destroyed out country by paying for the sloth classes to keep on breeding with welfare payments.
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Anonymous, at 5:31 PM
Sorry. Sloppy shorthand. You're right. Let me change it to overall education levels are dropping.
(We still do produce fine minds at the top, but the middle and bottom are slipping.)
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mikevotes, at 6:28 PM
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