Does the US really need a military? (Iraq, weapon, Canada)

[Bob The Builder]

Is it possible that we could ever be in that position?

I went to grad school in SF with this woman who angrily told me that she would never put herself in a position where a crime could be perpetrated on her. I did not think much of her strategy, but it did give me some insight into the thinking of the far left. Or is that thinking just plain off the scale?

In any case, in a perfect world, we would need no military, no police, not judicial system at all because there would never be any conflict. I guess if everyone smoked enough dope, this could happen.

[dunkel25]

Perfect world? Sure, why not, get rid of the military.

In the real world? Yeah, that will last all of about 2 days until we're invaded and cease to exist as a nation.

[NewToCA]

Better to be prepared than to have regret. I am very pro military, especially in the areas of weapon system development and enhancement.

While certainly sympathetic to the position of how wonderful life would be if this wasn't needed, and all of that money could be saved, I am adamantly supportive of a well trained and technologically advanced military capability.

[jdiddy]

I think that woman's thinking was just off the scale. A more relevant question would be whether we need to spend more on our military than the rest of the world does combined.

And if our incredibly overpowering military advantage still requires us to invade tattered countries like Iraq in the incredibly minute chance they decide to attack a country with a military 100X the size of theirs, what good does all of that extra money do?

[anonymous]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

I think that woman's thinking was just off the scale. A more relevant question would be whether we need to spend more on our military than the rest of the world does combined.

And if our incredibly overpowering military advantage still requires us to invade tattered countries like Iraq in the incredibly minute chance they decide to attack a country with a military 100X the size of theirs, what good does all of that extra money do?

To be fair, Iraq is not just a war. It is a war, plus the creation of a new nation.

And I think you could argue that the Iraq war has very little to do with national defense.

[Huckleberry3911948]

military is for defense
are we attacking or defending?

[Bob The Builder]

I am trying to get a grasp of the Code Pink, Berkeley City Council crowd. I have a SIL who, out of the blue, said if here was a draft, she would take her boys to Canada. I thought, "how nice, let someone else's kid protect you". Does the parent who would not permit their child to fight for their Country under ANY circumstances have to take the position that here is no need for military in order to rationalize their position?

If there was no need to have a military, then there is no need to teach the kids that they have any duty to fight and no need to feel guilty about others having to go fight.

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

I think that woman's thinking was just off the scale. A more relevant question would be whether we need to spend more on our military than the rest of the world does combined.

And if our incredibly overpowering military advantage still requires us to invade tattered countries like Iraq in the incredibly minute chance they decide to attack a country with a military 100X the size of theirs, what good does all of that extra money do?

I don't think those are related, I favor an overwhelming and technologically advanced military, but don't view it as linked to Iraq. I like the space technology advances and robots tech, and the subsidiary technologies derived from these expenditures.

[2+2mom]

My philosophy follows the old mantra "hit me once, your fault, hit me twice, my fault". Bullies in all shapes and forms will always exist. Do you let a stranger come up to you in the supermarket and punch you without provocation and not defend yourself? Of course not. Neither should we as a nation. We are the kindest, most independent, helpful loving nation on earth. We shouldn't let a bunch of ill informed and fanatical bullies tell us any different and we especially shouldn't let them punch us with defending ourselves! We are worth defending!!

[Bob The Builder]

Originally Posted by 2+2mom

My philosophy follows the old mantra "hit me once, your fault, hit me twice, my fault". Bullies in all shapes and forms will always exist. Do you let a stranger come up to you in the supermarket and punch you without provocation and not defend yourself? Of course not. Neither should we as a nation. We are the kindest, most independent, helpful loving nation on earth. We shouldn't let a bunch of ill informed and fanatical bullies tell us any different and we especially shouldn't let them punch us with defending ourselves! We are worth defending!!

Mom

Unfortunately, there are many who would disagree with "kindest, most independent...". I am not among them. I like the US.

I suppose a supplement to the don't need a military argument is the argument that the US is so evil that we deserve whatever someone dishes out to us.

I take it that as a mom, you are not against your kids serving if need be.