American Troops

[Happy Days]

Would American Troops better protect the American people by being placed in this country protecting our borders and airports, etc? Or are we safer by putting them at work in Iraq?

 

[Gibberish]

We are Internationalist not Nationalists. The world is entwined so tightly in today's world that our military and political presence outside of this country is essential for our security.

As for Iraq. We have forced our hand into something that we have no power over and are now stuck until it is resolved by the populace of the middle east. We will never fully withdrawal from Iraq. Expect us to have a military presence there that sees daily activity for the next few decades.

 

[Kasmos]

Of course we'd be safer if our borders (i.e. the boundaries in which people have to cross to get into OUR country) were actually secure. They're not secure AT ALL right now, and yet we're thousands of miles away fighting a war we're losing on a distance country? How in the world is that making us safer? Thousands of illegals cross our borders EVERY FVCKING DAY! What makes ANY of you think one organized radical Muslim couldn't do the same!?!?

I would love to see our National Guard used to protect our borders, what a great way to use our troops.

 

[Happy Days]

We are Internationalist not Nationalists. The world is entwined so tightly in today's world that our military and political presence outside of this country is essential for our security.

We can still be internationalist if the troops currently stationed in Iraq were brought back to the US. It's not one or the other.

 

[Gibberish]

We can still be internationalist if the troops currently stationed in Iraq were brought back to the US. It's not one or the other.

I do agree that our border security and national security should be first and foremost. As of now terrorists could quite possibly come into America across the Mexico border carrying a nuclear weapons. We definitely are not secure.

 

[dragonslayer]

It is a shame that our troops are in Iraq, and not home taking care of the United States. Bush feels that profits for his buddies in the Oil corporations need to be protected rather than America.

Yesterday, America was bombarded from Bush and his fascist with more scare tactics. Bush lies so much about everything, how can we believe that the threat to the US is not coming from him and Cheney. Are Bush and Cheney part of Al Quaida?????

 

[Happy Days]

Does anyone wish to share why they think America is safer by having the troops in Iraq rather than securing our borders, airports etc?

 

[Kasmos]

Does anyone wish to share why they think America is safer by having the troops in Iraq rather than securing our borders, airports etc?

Of course not, because that would mean they'd have to actually think for once about their delusional opinions, and that might end badly....

 

[Zyphlin]

It is a shame that our troops are in Iraq, and not home taking care of the United States. Bush feels that profits for his buddies in the Oil corporations need to be protected rather than America.

Yesterday, America was bombarded from Bush and his fascist with more scare tactics. Bush lies so much about everything, how can we believe that the threat to the US is not coming from him and Cheney. Are Bush and Cheney part of Al Quaida?????

Thank you, I needed my weekly dose of completely extreme political rhetoric so laced with absolutely outrageous opinions presented as absolute truth and fact finished with an incredibly naive and pointless rhetorical question.

Neither option would make us "Safe".

Thankfully, our military isn't made up of like 100 people.

We have people stations all over the place in this world. And frankly, I would rather pull them out of Germany and other places where we have little need for them and bring them back into the United States than to take them out of a place that is currently important to keep at least a portion of our forces.

Putting ALL our military into Iraq would be absolutely ludicrous and idiotic. Putting ALL our military into our country would also be absolutely ludicrous and unsafe.

 

[Hatuey]

I'd love to hear how having an unprotected border and our forces half way around the world will make us safer.

 

[TOJ]

Have ya'all ever heard of the Posse Comitatus Act, the law that limits using the military as a domestic police force in the United States?

No, obviously you haven't... :roll:

 

[Jerry]

Would American Troops better protect the American people by being placed in this country protecting our borders and airports, etc? Or are we safer by putting them at work in Iraq?

You say that as if Iraq is the only other place in the world, but yes, our military needs to be deployed where our enemy is, and Iraq is one such place.

 

[Happy Days]

Have ya'all ever heard of the Posse Comitatus Act, the law that limits using the military as a domestic police force in the United States?

No, obviously you haven't... :roll:

Who the hell suggested using the military as a domestic police force? What, so it's okay to use our soldiers to secure the borders in Iraq to stop insurgents getting in, but for them to do so here would go against the Posse Comitatus Act?

Well, even if I have is it relevant?... :roll:

 

[Happy Days]

You say that as if Iraq is the only other place in the world, but yes, our military needs to be deployed where our enemy is, and Iraq is one such place.

Working on that basis, we need to bring back conscription as we need quite a few more troops. Did you see the news report this morning on the terrorist leader based in Pakistan? One of the reasons for going into Iraq was because Iraq was being used as a training ground, right? So when are we invading Pakistan?

Of course, I'm being tongue in cheek with that remark, but still, we haven't enough soldiers to cover every country where we have enemies. We are, however, exhausting our troops in Iraq and ensuring we don't have fresh troops for whatever is coming next. Recruitment numbers are way down, we are getting to a desperate situation if we're not careful. Just my opinion, BTW.

 

[TOJ]

Working on that basis, we need to bring back conscription as we need quite a few more troops. ...

IMO, there are only three reasons someone would suggest bringing back the draft.

1. They are a fool and don't know what the hell they are talking about.
2. They have a political agenda.
3. They would like to see the US military degraded.

The US military of today is far superior to what it was when the draft was in effect.

 

[Jerry]

Working on that basis, we need to bring back conscription as we need quite a few more troops.

I support mandatory service for every citizen when they turn 18 or graduate high school.

Did you see the news report this morning on the terrorist leader based in Pakistan?

I just woke up. DP gets my brain moving before I head into work in about an hour.

One of the reasons for going into Iraq was because Iraq was being used as a training ground, right? So when are we invading Pakistan?

There is a strategy, you know. You can't win a sword fight by just swinging your claymore around.

Of course, I'm being tongue in cheek with that remark, but still, we haven't enough soldiers to cover every country where we have enemies. We are, however, exhausting our troops in Iraq and ensuring we don't have fresh troops for whatever is coming next. Recruitment numbers are way down, we are getting to a desperate situation if we're not careful.

You need to know that you are speaking with someone who has made the decision to join the Army in direct support of our actions in Iraq after I graduate in May.

Just my opinion, BTW.

What's the disclaimer for?

 

[Happy Days]

IMO, there are only three reasons someone would suggest bringing back the draft.

1. They are a fool and don't know what the hell they are talking about.
2. They have a political agenda.
3. They would like to see the US military degraded.

The US military of today is far superior to what it was when the draft was in effect.

I'm not suggesting the draft. I have a 13 year old son. It is the last thing I want to happen. I was being facetious and working from Jerry's comments.

I edited because I was rude, sorry.

 

[Happy Days]

I support mandatory service for every citizen when they turn 18 or graduate high school.



I just woke up. DP gets my brain moving before I head into work in about an hour.



There is a strategy, you know. You can't win a sword fight by just swinging your claymore around.



You need to know that you are speaking with someone who has made the decision to join the Army in direct support of our actions in Iraq after I graduate in May.



What's the disclaimer for?

The disclaimer is because I try to make it clear that I don't think that I know all the answers. I am very willing to learn from others, and I am always willing to see someone elses point of view.

I sincerely wish you well for joining the Army. You are a brave man and God Bless You. How does your mother feel? Someone I know just lost her son in Iraq and it breaks my heart as a mother for someone to go through the death of their child.

 

[dixon76710]

I support mandatory service for every citizen when they turn 18 or graduate high school.

What do we have now? About Million and a half active personnel. Every 18 year old would add about 4 million a year. Within a couple years you would have 9 and a half million. What are we going to do with them all? Do you kick people out, after a certain amount of time to keep the #s down? Reduce the pay until enough people leave, to keep the #s down? Find more countries in need of God's gift of freedom?

 

[dixon76710]

Working on that basis, we need to bring back conscription as we need quite a few more troops. Did you see the news report this morning on the terrorist leader based in Pakistan? One of the reasons for going into Iraq was because Iraq was being used as a training ground, right? So when are we invading Pakistan?
...
Recruitment numbers are way down, we are getting to a desperate situation if we're not careful. Just my opinion, BTW.

I think his point was that our troops need to be where our enemies are, AS opposed to where our enemies are not. Not that we need to be everywhere they are.
And Saddam actively worked against our interest, Mussaref is not. And if Saddam in Iraq has taught us anything, it is that we need to consider the alternatives to the current government. I get the impression there is a large portions of Pakistanis population would probably elect Bin Laden as their leader given the choice. More support in Pakistan for Islamic fundamentalism than Afghanistan, and certainly more than in Iraq.
Recruitment is just fine. Targets are met, levels of personnel are maintained.

 

[Jerry]

The disclaimer is because I try to make it clear that I don't think that I know all the answers. I am very willing to learn from others, and I am always willing to see someone elses point of view.

I thought that that was a given for every post ever made by anyone, but, okay.

I sincerely wish you well for joining the Army. You are a brave man and God Bless You. How does your mother feel? Someone I know just lost her son in Iraq and it breaks my heart as a mother for someone to go through the death of their child.

I appreciate the thought but there's nothing to praise about my decision until I graduate boot.

My family supports my decision 110%.

 

[Jerry]

What do we have now? About Million and a half active personnel. Every 18 year old would add about 4 million a year. Within a couple years you would have 9 and a half million. What are we going to do with them all? Do you kick people out, after a certain amount of time to keep the #s down? Reduce the pay until enough people leave, to keep the #s down? Find more countries in need of God's gift of freedom?

Well, first we would have to stop listening to liberals bitch about the military being stretched thin.

Then we could put enough troops in Iraq to finish the job and get out.

After a 2-4 year term of service these folks would be let out per a standard enlistment contract, though I would like to see many folks stay in the reserve or guard.

Worried about people not having health care? I hear Trycare is grate.

I suspect that military service would curb gun crime, though I don't know for sure.

 

[StrawHat]

I'm not entirely sure that we're safer either way actually. I mean, you look at what's happening in Iraq, and you go "does this really make us safer?" I'd wager that answer is a no. I mean, the people who are attacking our troops in Iraq, I don't know, but I don't think that they, for the most part, are the same people who would come over here and attack us. As much as people say that Iraq is now galvanizing terrorists, the people who are being riled up by the war to be agasint the US, I don't really think they're the next 9/11 hijackers. I just get that gut feeling. I'm only 18, so I suppose I don't really have that great a grasp of the situation, and I still have a lot to learn, but those are my feelings. As for pulling our troops back here, I don't know what they'd be doing as far as security goes. Securing the borders would be fine, but mostly, that'd solve the illegal immigration problem. What's going to stop another 9/11, or something worse, is effective intelligence. It's intercepting terrorist cells before they can deal real damage. It's keeping hazardous materials out of the hands of people that want to kill us. How are our armed forces going to help with that?

I think that what we need to do is strike terrorists where we know they are, and then provide aid to the middle east. That way, we make the message of Osama bin Laden and others like him less legitimate. Maybe i'm naive, but I think that we can win hearts and minds by helping them out of the lives that they are currently in. Build houses, hospitals, schools, but also make sure that we're bombing the crap out of known terrorists. Let them know that it's not them that we're after. Of course this idea would never get much support from the public. I mean, what would they say? "They hit us and we help them out? B******!!" I know that'd be my gut reaction, even if i'd support it once the head kicked in.

Despite what i've said, I don't think that we should pull out if Iraq right now. As much as I would like for our troops to be safe at home, as much as i'd like to funnel the funds for the war elsewhere, I don't think that we can leave, because it wouldn't be right. I think that Colin Powell said it best, and i'm not sure of the exact words, but he said somehting like: "You break it, you own it." It's a hard pill to swallow, and perhaps i'd be less willing to abide by it if I myself were in the armed forces, or if I had friends in the armed forces, but I think it's true regardless. If we leave now, I think that the sectarian violence will increse, and we will see a full scale civil war. Based on that, I don't see how people who cite the death toll on the Iraqis, and support a pullout are somewhat hypocritical. I think that we just need to bring the training of Iraqi security forces up to speed, and then pull out. Above all, we need to avoid anything that could result in a regional war. That would be horrible for everybody. And I do mean everybody.

 

[Sergeant Stinger1]

You say that as if Iraq is the only other place in the world, but yes, our military needs to be deployed where our enemy is, and Iraq is one such place.

---
What enemies do we have in Iraq? They are fighting a Civil war with help from outsiders like American Troops on one side and the terrorist on the other side.
Our enimes the 'terrorist' were for the most part in Afgan. not Iraq.

 

[Happy Days]

Happy Days said, "The disclaimer is because I try to make it clear that I don't think that I know all the answers. I am very willing to learn from others, and I am always willing to see someone elses point of view."

I thought that that was a given for every post ever made by anyone, but, okay.

I don't believe it is a given at all. Most people don't post to learn and see others point of view.

I appreciate the thought but there's nothing to praise about my decision until I graduate boot.

My family supports my decision 110%.

You'll graduate boot just fine. You want it bad enough. Good for you. I'm glad your family supports you 110%. I hope I can do that for my son no matter what he chooses.