[Jack Apple]

I was looking at some Anniston apartment buildings on Google Maps this afternoon and I'm shocked and saddened. "Anniston's popular downtown district" (quote from one site) looks like a ghost town, with empty buildings. And a big Baptist church is in ruins only a block or two away.

What happened? I've heard about the Fort closing, and I remember when the Shakespeare Festival left town, but what used to look like a wealthy, thriving town now looks deserted and very sad.

I've thought it might be nice to look at apartments there with a view to retiring there.

But what happened to such a nice, busy town? Is it in recovery? Will it ever be?

[MinivanDriver]

When a massive government base and the constellation that's its contractors vanish one day, it's a near fatal blow to a town that size. All you have to do is look at Selma after the air force based closed there years ago. Same effect, making it a shell of a town.



That's the problem with military dollars. When you have it, it's awesome. Just money sluicing into the economy year after year without fail. But it also creates a condition of absolute dependence on the military that could, one day, just not need that base any longer, with not enough industry out there to compensate for the job loss.


I mean, what if Russia collapses and China's economic upheavals suddenly result in its regime begin replaced with a more benign one? Suddenly, we're not needing the military we once did.

[Rick In Madison]

Originally Posted by MinivanDriver

When a massive government base and the constellation that's its contractors vanish one day, it's a near fatal blow to a town that size. All you have to do is look at Selma after the air force based closed there years ago. Same effect, making it a shell of a town.



That's the problem with military dollars. When you have it, it's awesome. Just money sluicing into the economy year after year without fail. But it also creates a condition of absolute dependence on the military that could, one day, just not need that base any longer, with not enough industry out there to compensate for the job loss.


I mean, what if Russia collapses and China's economic upheavals suddenly result in its regime begin replaced with a more benign one? Suddenly, we're not needing the military we once did.

We still would have to defend ourselves from other communistic dictatorships from California, Oregon, Washington, New York, Massachusetts, and the like.

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by Rick In Madison

We still would have to defend ourselves from other communistic dictatorships from California, Oregon, Washington, New York, Massachusetts, and the like.

The pharmacy called. Your lithium prescription is ready.

[InlandWave]

Originally Posted by Rick In Madison

We still would have to defend ourselves from other communistic dictatorships from California, Oregon, Washington, New York, Massachusetts, and the like.

Whew… that was a statement

[y8tiger]

BRAC 1995 Happened.

[clevergirl67]

Originally Posted by Rick In Madison

We still would have to defend ourselves from other communistic dictatorships from California, Oregon, Washington, New York, Massachusetts, and the like.

Take it to the POC forum ------>

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by clevergirl67

Take it to the POC forum ------>

There's always one.

[Jack Apple]

I'm sorry for Anniston.

As long as Iran is around we may yet have need of our military.

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by Jack Apple

I'm sorry for Anniston.

As long as Iran is around we may yet have need of our military.

Without Russia or China, maybe three months.