Perhaps it's just my leftover sentiments from Viet Nam war protest days, but I simply cannot understand why our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have simply not been discussed in the election cycle or very much in the last one for that matter.
Are people of all political persuasions in agreement that they are the right thing to do or that they don't matter?
Shouldn't a fiscal conservative be screaming about the costs of a trillion dollars + per year. Shouldn't a libertarian be shouting in anger about our interference in another country. Shouldn't a flaming liberal be crying out about the thousands of young American men and women killed and maimed and the hundreds of thousand of Iraqis and Afghans killed? Why aren't pragmatists complaining that neither country is ready for our style of democracy and that our nation building simply doesn't work. Why aren't the geopolitical strategists on the right pointing out that these wars are making our nation less safe than it was before; that the jihadists are now in Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen and multiplying in number because we are killing Muslims in their own countries?
Maybe the Tea Party types think we are right to use military power to remake the world in our image. Maybe the Republicans don't want to criticize wars that their dear leader started. Maybe the Democrats don't care because it's not their kids being killed this time or are afraid to add to the criticism of the President.
I simply do not understand the universal silence from the politicians of all stripes on the wars.
People do not connect the dots that it is a mega drain on our economy. Mostly it is that we are now ending the wars as responsibly as we can. When Bush destroyed the two countries in question he did leave us much responsibility. But for the life of me I can not understand how the Democrats don't remind everyone everyday of how worthless the Republicans believe our soldiers lives are.
Good question. How did the worst disaster in history (BP spill) disappear from the radar so quickly??
I just don't get it.
R's who once defended these wars are suddenly opposed to them. Dems who (rightly) protested the wars have fallen silent. Are we simply jaded? Apathetic?
We must do better.
Ever notice how the more important an issue is, the less its talked about? It's easy to blame the media except I think the truth is, right now, the American people are in denial and they just don't want to hear anything dealing with "reality".
The entertainment industry has turned from something we, as a country, watch for a break from the stressful day into our alternate reality where we live our lives (American Idol) with people demand more! This is very dangerous because people in denial are pretty much willing to do whatever it takes to stay in denial, even if means other people pay the price.
Talk to a serviceman who came back. I mean really talk to them, get away from this superficial stuff the media shows and really talk about the nitty gritty about how they feel. There's several issues but ask they how they think about being denying them a pay raise and how the cheers from the public make them feel. In a way, these guys are taking up a much bigger burden then they should be - mostly because the American public is in dream land.
Those who can't remember the past are doomed to repeat it. - Santayana
I think with disposable technology, social networks, 24 hrs news, etc, people's attention spans are pretty short. No one talks about the oil spill anymore because it doesnt effect them ("durr, they stopped it so it must be all good now"), no one talks about politics unless its a presidential race (then everyone's a freakin expert), etc. I guess if its not a trending topic on Twitter, its not important. Will probably be our downfall as a nation & unfortunately I dont think shit will really change (and I mean REAL change) until we're all forced to do it from another great depression or some other major collapses & some real solid leadership steps up.
BTW, Ron Paul was a Republican who was pretty outspoken against all the needless wars & the military industrial complex in general & was pretty much laughed at from other so-called "conservatives". That word is such a joke today. Go back & watch some of the televised major debates from the presidential elections & you'll see.
Here is one example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7d_e9lrcZ8
QuoteI think with disposable technology, social networks, 24 hrs news, etc, people's attention spans are pretty short.
+100!
[quoteProbably because these are mostly merc wars, dogwalker.][/quote]
Stephen, I presume that you are talking about Blackwater, etc and are not implying that our all-volunteer armed forces are no better than mercenaries. Right?
Quote from: NotNow on October 31, 2010, 01:44:36 AM
Those who can't remember the past are doomed to repeat it. - Santayana
Let's see:
An unpopular, unnecessary war that drags on for years.
Helping cause huge deficit spending and economic chaos because non-military spending was not cut.
A relative unknown elected president promising change, but who is overwhelmed by economic forces beyond his control and quickly becomes unpopular and to blame for all problems.
Sounds like a repeat to me. DOOMED!
History has shown to repeat itself and people seem to forget this! Any prudent person should make note of this and take action accordingly! Silly humans!
Anyone here have an idea how to wake up the country before we loose everything?
Yeah.............I got one.............vote for no incumbent! Lets start over! Ignore the Party affiliation and choose the best person for the job! A somewhat novel idea I think!
Quote from: NotNow on October 31, 2010, 01:44:36 AM
Those who can't remember the past are doomed to repeat it. - Santayana
Truer words have never been spoken. However you spin the word "lost" we lost in Vietnam, we lost in Somalia, we are losing in Iraq and we will most certainly lose in Afghanistan. Our war machine is stuck in a World War II shock and awe mentality. We forgot to remember. We are doomed.
Quote from: Cricket on October 31, 2010, 10:18:08 PM
Quote from: NotNow on October 31, 2010, 01:44:36 AM
Those who can't remember the past are doomed to repeat it. - Santayana
Truer words have never been spoken. However you spin the word "lost" we lost in Vietnam, we lost in Somalia, we are losing in Iraq and we will most certainly lose in Afghanistan. Our war machine is stuck in a World War II shock and awe mentality. We forgot to remember. We are doomed.
It's more of a jobs machine rather a shock and awe machine.