Thread: Military Spending

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I am not so sure that this is such a great discussion topic while there are American Soldiers risking their lives at this moment... Regardless of your political beliefs about whether we should be at war, we are at the moment "At War" and until those troops are safe and back home, I have no problem giving my tax dollars to the military to waste as they see fit....

When our troops are safe I might think a little differently....but not until then...

So dissent has conditions now?

Don't get me wrong please. I respect a soldier for the job he must do, but that shouldn't mean we shouldn't assess that job with as much concern for that job and his well being as he has. Otherwise it's too good an excuse to silence the dissenter and that's not good at all.

Originally Posted by xman

So dissent has conditions now?

Don't get me wrong please. I respect a soldier for the job he must do, but that shouldn't mean we shouldn't assess that job with as much concern for that job and his well being as he has. Otherwise it's too good an excuse to silence the dissenter and that's not good at all.

Why not? I understand the Canadian government does it with great alacrity, especially if you are christian or speak against homosexuality.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I am not so sure that this is such a great discussion topic while there are American Soldiers risking their lives at this moment... Regardless of your political beliefs about whether we should be at war, we are at the moment "At War" and until those troops are safe and back home, I have no problem giving my tax dollars to the military to waste as they see fit....

When our troops are safe I might think a little differently....but not until then...

No offense Glen, but America is always at war. Now that the concept of 'war on terror' has been accepted by the American population, you will not be 'not at war' for a long, long time to come.

Just because soldiers are fighting and dying does not mean that people should blindly accept anything their government is telling them.

Just because soldiers are fighting and dying does not mean that the government should not spend their tax dollar with some degree of responsibility, instead of spending millions and billions on pork projects that could have been run more efficiently.

The lives of soldiers should never be an excuse to stop asking questions or hold the government accountable. If soldiers are dying because of governmental stupidity, then people should say so.

Originally Posted by JMS

Why not? I understand the Canadian government does it with great alacrity, especially if you are christian or speak against homosexuality.

What does that have to do with it? The US government and voting populace are no better, but just on the other end of the spectrum. Would an openly gay or islamic presidential candidate have any chance at all of winning an election? Just asking.

Originally Posted by Doc

Amen Brother! As a retired soldier I agree whole heartedly!!!!

I don't get it.

So because there is a war (technically, there is not) means that the military / government have a license to run unrelated, inefficient programs and distribute pork to political backers, without having to accept public scrutiny?

And perhaps asking questions is unpatriotic too?
Given how many people complain about the government being unable to do anything right, it surprises me that anything related to military or national security is so easily accepted.

Originally Posted by Bruno

What does that have to do with it? The US government and voting populace are no better, but just on the other end of the spectrum. Would an openly gay or islamic presidential candidate have any chance at all of winning an election? Just asking.

I never suggested they were Bruno, but if X wishes to speak as he did don't you think he should come to grips with his nations shortfalls? As for the rest of your post, what does it matter? They have all the freedoms that anyone else has under our government.

Originally Posted by JMS

I never suggested they were Bruno, but if X wishes to speak as he did don't you think he should come to grips with his nations shortfalls? As for the rest of your post, what does it matter? They have all the freedoms that anyone else has under our government.

Yes they have, just like homophobes are christian fundies have the same freedoms as anyone else in Canada. That still doesn't mean they are not discriminated against.

When it comes to things like that, NO country is better than the other. Each country just has different hot button issues, or different 'accepted' opinions about those issues.

Anyway, this being said, let's not deviate too far from the topic ok? I am not putting on my mod hat here (since I am involved at this point) but for the sake of keeping this thread on-topic, if you want I'll split this tangent off into a separate thread where it can be discussed on its own.

Originally Posted by JimR

Seeing as how we have left our savage days behind, civilization might be a good idea one of these days....

Jim, respectfully, we (the U.S.) have not left those days behind. The methods of savagery may have changed, but the principle remains. Instead of outright killing, we have the current US financial and economic system, with its social and political results.

Elsewhere (Africa anyone?), savagery is still common practice. Might DOES make right.


As far as U.S. military spending goes, I'd rather see a well-armed populace and a smaller professional military. However, in this age of highly advanced killing technology, the weapons available to the average person and the reliance on government for basic human needs make non-institutional armed resistance against tyranny or outside invasion a moot point.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Yes they have, just like homophobes are christian fundies have the same freedoms as anyone else in Canada. .

This bit is not true as you can be prosecuted in Canada for reading quotes out of the bible that speak against homosexuality! Just reading mind you, not taking action against homosexuals but just reading the bits of the bible that speak against homosexuality. And woe unto you if you speak ill of the muslim faith.Mark Steyn Case Wakes Up Canadian Press to Human Rights Tribunals’ Threat to Free Speech
Thats all I can find right now but I am too tired to look harder and need to go to bed

Australia does not have a big defence budget. But it does buy exspensive American equipment like abrahms tanks, fighter aircraft. I,m not saying the equipment is not top notch, actually it,s proberly the best in the world, but we would be better off purchasing Lepard 2 tanks that run on diesel fuel, multi roll fighter bombers with VTOL capabilities. It,s a matter of horses for courses and this is a big country with very little infrastructure outside of the capitol cities. The one thing they got right was not buying Hummers, instead we built our own, the Bushmaster, now that is one rugged go anywhere vehicle!