I agree with the other wastes found in our country but I was responding specifically to the charge that america needs a big military. Its a monster that has grown infinitely beyond its mean and yet what do we have to show for it? It’s not even number 1 lol Not saying our military is a pushover, far from it. But the fact we pay money to station soldiers in hundreds of countries across the world, most of the countries most of us probably never even heard of. And all the money that they wasted on that super battleship thing that was “unsinkable” or whatever arrogant word was used. Months later china had a missile that theoretically would sink it from miles and miles and miles away on land. It’s those kinds of multi billion “pet” projects that the american people can not afford and that the world does not need.
Of course we needed to be involved in world war 2 but I refuse to acknowledge the “heroics” of the american governments timely advance into war. Keep in mind I’m not speaking of the soldiers who fought as their actions speak for themselves, the good and the bad. But the fact that america sat by neutral dishing out money and supplies while europe was getting wrecked. And it wasn’t until japan attacked that america got involved. Then we have a powerful fresh military moving in to attack a nation that was tired for several years of war spread out across several fronts. America didn’t save the day. They just came in and kicked a dog while it was down. Had Japan not attacked and Hitler finished his conquest of western europe Lord knows how different this world would have been. America wouldn’t have stood a chance against Germany then. (But obviously didn’t happen that way so speculation is pretty pointless).
And lastly, I wouldn’t mind learning russian to be honest. It’s a beautiful language with a very emotional accent. As opposed to our redneckish southern "drawl’ that makes us look …well special.
I am appalled at the naivete and mis-interpretation of history and current events. I am particularly appalled at your lack of national pride. Even today, it is only in the US that one could express opinions such as yours and not expect to have serious adverse consequenses. In Russia, today, you could expect “a knock on your door” for posting a preference for another country.
For the rest of you peaceniks, you fail to realize that in this day , the problem in the mid-east is a religious one, not a political one. In moslem countries, their societies are in a stage of developement similiar to what existed in the West prior to the 19th Century.
At that time, the most important, best educated individual in any community was the clergyman. Even the local nobleman was subservient to him. As the population in the West became more educated more affluent, society became more secularized and the clergyman lost his important status.
This is exactly why the religious leaders in the mid-East are agitating against.
In addition, Iran wants to re-create the Persian Empire in order to become more powerful than the Saudis. By re-uniting with Iraq, she will control most of the known oil and could collapse the Western economies. Of course, China being the ultimate businessman encourages this because she will benefit from this and become the predominate power in the Far East.
So, for all of you who are anti-war and anti-military, enjoy it while you can. When our economy collapses because we are too weak and powerless to alter world events, you will spend the rest of your life eking out a subsistence existance. And, when a major conflict-probablly with Iran-occcurs, Washington and most of our society will not treat opposition kindly. You seem to forget that during WW II anti-war types were given the option of either volunteering for the Army (the Navy and Marine Corps wouldn’t take them) or going to prison. When the Army got their hands on these people, they were assigned to front line units.
Those that survived were no longer peaceniks by the end of the war!