French war planes flying over Lybia

Is the huge US defense spending a good or bad thing? Originally Posted by essence

I suppose that depends upon whether or not one lives on an island nation that is getting the crap bombed out of it, night after night, in anticipation of an invasion that is being considered after the aggressors have completed the "acquisition" of the real estate on the adjacent mainland.

Then, not only are "many of the ambitious but disaffected youth" of value, but the industrial and manufacturing strength of the homeland that is free of being bombed and invaded and "sold off" in some notion of pacifying "peace," is of value, along with all of the materiel, labor, money, dedication, and resources are valuable, which include the "women" who turn out in thousands to work in the "sweat shops" to get it done for the little "island nation" that is getting its ass kicked by a neighbor with which a "peace treaty" was signed by a dreamy, near sighted, "diplomat" who actually believed he could "make nice" with the devil himself..... so they didn't need all that unncessary defense spending.

My "Clash" collection is bigger than yours...

US military numbers aren't used in US unemployment figures. Originally Posted by gnadfly

Any number is bigger than zero.

I know military numbers are not used in unemployment figures, they are after all fully and gainfully employed.

What I mean is: if you are in late teens/early twenties, come from a poor background, family has no money, you have no health care insurance, you want to get an education and qualifications, you can't get college grants, the military has a lot of attractions. They look after you.

But I'm not sure whether the strippers I know have the discipline to take that step, and they may be worried about messing up their hair in the assault course....

Boot camp for out of control strippers, that would be a show worth watching. They don't even know what 'morning' is.

Back to topic - recent news on Lybia is not all positive. Could get messy.

Just seen LL's latest.

First priority of any government is security of its people. I too worry about UK falling defence budget.

The isssue about any defence budget is simply whether it is value for money and at an appropriate level. Of course, all defence chief of staff, and their suppliers, will always say it is not enough. But presumably wise men and women gather together, fully briefed with facts and graphs and intelligence reports, to thrash these things out in a spirit of harmony.

Is the 'no ground troops in Lybia' a result of policy/strategy/tactics, or simply that it would stretch resources too much. I know it would be too much for UK troops.

Back to work...

What I mean is: if you are in late teens/early twenties, come from a poor background, family has no money, you have no health care insurance, you want to get an education and qualifications, you can't get college grants, the military has a lot of attractions. They look after you.

But I'm not sure whether the strippers I know have the discipline to take that step, and they may be worried about messing up their hair in the assault course....

Just seen LL's latest.

First priority of any government is security of its people. I too worry about UK falling defence budget.

The isssue about any defence budget is simply whether it is value for money and at an appropriate level.


Is the 'no ground troops in Lybia' a result of policy/strategy/tactics, or simply that it would stretch resources too much. I know it would be too much for UK troops.

Back to work... Originally Posted by essence

First, fortunately there are some mature men and women, from middle class and above backgrounds, with "family money," health insurance, who have a job, and are college graduates, who join the military and fight for this country, as well as to help defend yours, over the ages, because they are dedicated to the security of this country, which includes yours being secure, ... some are "regulars" and some were "regulars" now in the "reserves" or "guard" .... they bleed and die the same color blood as the rest you mention who are seeking "employment with benefits."

Secondly, the vast majority of "strippers" I've seen could pass an agility test sooner than most recruit grunts showing up at boot. And besides they dislike smart asses that "shoot at them" and can back me any time of the day ... or night ..cuz theu are mean AND quiet.

Thirdly, there is only one reason why the UK, and a bunch of others, not to mention Canada and Mexico can "fall behind on their defense budget"...

the United States of America.

[Note: U.S. is at least 2x's to 3x's their % of GNP.]

Finally, who told you the U.S. doesn't have "boots on the ground" in Lybia? Obama?

If he believes that, he is either lying to himself or too dumb to be CIC.

Either way, he should be fired.

I hope to hell there are boots on the ground, to gather intelligence. But you know as well as I that is not what is meant by ground forces.

The UK SAS (or whatever they are called nowadays) has already had an embarrassing expedition.

And of course there are motivated people in the forces, my father and uncle were regular officers, half my son's school friends dads are senior officers.

Where is my favourite picture of the Colombian rebel troop?

Essence, you ask a lot of questions you already "know" the answer to!

Even so, BHO would be figuratively lynched by the Dem Libs if he sent ground troops into Libya! He has sent in SPECTRE gunships and bombed armor. My understanding is the Rebels need weapons but the USA won't supply them for fear that they may eventually be used against us.

I'm in total agreement with your strippers don't know what morning is comment however! BTW, on 'another board' one well known Houston provider joined the military, is over in the middle east and writes about her 'conquests' daily.

LL,

Have you noticed that the press refers to the THREE military actions the US is now involved in? I hate to go 'Essence' on ya, but where is that THIRD military operation?

...
.... but where is that THIRD military operation? Originally Posted by gnadfly

The Mexican War of 2010?

I know it's not Iraq. See below.

I hope to hell there are boots on the ground, to gather intelligence. But you know as well as I that is not what is meant by ground forces. Originally Posted by essence

Since I am not from Chicago, I wouldn't know.

Down here (in Texas) "ground forces" are two Rangers on one horse each with five days of food, water, and ammo in their saddle bags.

I think I heard on the radio this morning that UK/US is publicly accepting there may be 'intelligence' boots on the ground.

But back to topic, an article

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/hti.../20090629.aspx

and this will topple the regime:

It appears as though there are a few individuals desperately trying to pass themselves off as experts in this thread. I suppose they are hopeful that everybody has either forgotten, or does not know, how (W)RONG they were during the spring of 2003!

However, there are a few of us still around who remember!

However, there are a few of us still around who remember! Originally Posted by bigtex

I am certain that you are constantly reminded in Austin ....

Did you see someone agreeing with Obama's decision in here?

btw ...

... is Travis County up for "four more years" of this crap?

Hopefully in 2012 Travis County will vote with their brains, ............. not their hearts...... !

Barak Obama - No news here.

I'm sure Saddam Hussein and Moammar Gadhafi agree with you BinTex!

Back on topic!

Boots on the ground in Libya? Probably SEIU goons recruiting new members.

I'm sure Saddam Hussein and Moammar Gadhafi agree with you BinTex! Originally Posted by gnadfly

I invision a summit in the future. Heated, but pointless.