L.A. Times Editorial: U.S. Troops are Imperialists and should not be supported

[Papewaio]

Both are important. Period.

Really? One kills 2 million a year, the other is a low probability. If you are worried about a mass extinction event then spend more money on anti-asteroid missiles. It is a very tiny probability, but it would wipe out 80% plus of all life on earth.

There are a whole host of things we should get our priorities straight on: The Sudan, African AIDS, rising obesity rates, Chinese oppression, Russian mafia control of government, Mexican illegal immigration, potable drinking water, Brazillian shanty towns, etc etc.

So why chase boogey men when there a lot of real problems right now that could really win hearts and minds, cost less lives to implement and don't cost much money either? Why because there is not a big enough kick back/profit margin/gung-ho/ votes in them.

Bro, the world is slowly getting better. Right now, I'm worried about MY country. MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE. USA USA USA and all the jazz. I am looking out for numero uno. And so are you, otherwise you wouldn't be posting on this board; instead you would dicth your family and join greenpeace, or the peace corps, or volunteer with the homeless. But I would bet that you do not devote a significant portion of your life towards bettering humanity in any substantial way other than talk about it. And neither do I except serve my Nation, which happens to aid in spreading access to potable water, builds schools throughout the world, prevents mass killings of innocents in multiple nations, donates billions to relief efforts (both through private and public funding), etc etc etc.

A) Greenpeace suck because they lie like any political organisation. There science is not crediable and the go for the big publicity stunts. If the creature is cute they will protect it, otherwise they ignore the plights of less cuddly animals.

B) Don't you think the USA would be better off by winning the hearts and minds profile?

C) Meh! I've worked for mining companies. I believe in looking after my family first. I don't think though that the efforts in Iraq are getting as good as ROI as other methods.

The world would be F-ed if America goes down hard. Absolutely totally F-ed. Screw potable water. Say goodbye to the world's economy. Say hello to the newly impoverished billions. Say hello to global strife like you have not seen since WW2. Say hello to the global rise of nuclear-armed muslim extremist states. Say hello to a whole new kind of China.

It has nothing to do with a million American citizens and everything to do with the repurcussions throughout the world. I just happen to only actually care about that first million.

And how would potable water be a kick in the nuts for the stability of America? Surely more happy living people who are going 'America saved my life' would be a plus? Or can we only win hearts and minds through military actions?

[Divinus Arma]

Pape, I obviously distracted you with my dazzling collection of clauses and phrases. So much so that the point of my post was missed completely.


My point, succinctly put, is this:


The world is gigantic poo poo. If America get hurt, then poo poo get bigger.

[Lemur]

From the Separate But Equal Loonbat Department, Senator Rick Santorum seems eo believe that putting a bumper sticker on your car equates losing your life for your nation:

And yet we have brave men and women who are willing to step forward because they know what’s at stake. They’re willing to sacrifice their lives for this great country.

What I am asking all of you tonight, is not to put on a uniform. Put on a bumper sticker. Is it that much to ask? Is it that much to ask to step up and serve your country, to fight for what we believe in. To fight for the values that have made this the country the greatest count- we got her not because we were doing things really wrong, that our traditions and our morals were way out of whack, we got here because we were a good decent county. A country guided by divine Providence.

We will only stay that great country if we continue that fight. I’m asking ya to help me do that. God Bless you. Thank you.

[Slyspy]

Divinus, the actual article was an editorial. These things are designed to be blunt and confontational, also the author clearly has a penchant for attacking holy cows. Don't get so worked up about nothing. When crowds of people spit on you when you get home, then you should be angry and upset, not in response to a single deliberately provocative editorial. Still nice use of exaggerated fears. You should write for a tabloid yourself.

I say that if America get hurt then America can take it. These terror groups are unlikely to destroy America. Americans will do that. Loss of life is regrettable, especially on the scale of 9/11, but is unlikely to be fatal to America herself.

[Lazul]

"But when you volunteer for the U.S. military, you pretty much know you're not going to be fending off invasions from Mexico and Canada. So you're willingly signing up to be a fighting tool of American imperialism, for better or worse."

Well... that IS true actually.

[GoreBag]

The world is gigantic poo poo. If America get hurt, then poo poo get bigger.

That's backwards logic. "The world is a diaper, so let someone else change it."

[spmetla]

In general I have to say I dislike it when people are 100% against the war in Iraq but support the troops. It'd be cool if they truly meant it but all too often I feel that think I'm just the vicitim of the big bad government when they don't understand at all the reasons I signed up for (civic duty).

[Vladimir]

Divinus, the actual article was an editorial. These things are designed to be blunt and confontational, also the author clearly has a penchant for attacking holy cows. Don't get so worked up about nothing. When crowds of people spit on you when you get home, then you should be angry and upset, not in response to a single deliberately provocative editorial. Still nice use of exaggerated fears. You should write for a tabloid yourself.

I say that if America get hurt then America can take it. These terror groups are unlikely to destroy America. Americans will do that. Loss of life is regrettable, especially on the scale of 9/11, but is unlikely to be fatal to America herself.

Three letters: EMP I'm not sure how big it would have to be but I believe one can take out ANY modern nation. That's why we don't want Iran to have nukes.

[Slyspy]

Three letters: EMP I'm not sure how big it would have to be but I believe one can take out ANY modern nation. That's why we don't want Iran to have nukes.

Ah so that is the threat of the week is it? Pah!

[Divinus Arma]

"But when you volunteer for the U.S. military, you pretty much know you're not going to be fending off invasions from Mexico and Canada. So you're willingly signing up to be a fighting tool of American imperialism, for better or worse."

Well... that IS true actually.

So in your view, extraterritorial military action is always unnecessary? I guess totalitarianism is right up you alley. Because if it weren't for U.S. military action abroad you would be speaking German or Russian. Comrade.

[Slyspy]

So in your view, extraterritorial military action is always unnecessary? I guess totalitarianism is right up you alley. Because if it weren't for U.S. military action abroad you would be speaking German or Russian. Comrade.

No, actually that is nothing like what he was saying.

[Ice]

So in your view, extraterritorial military action is always unnecessary? I guess totalitarianism is right up you alley. Because if it weren't for U.S. military action abroad you would be speaking German or Russian. Comrade.

Uh huh.