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Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway predicted today that significant number of U.S. Marines and combat forces will be in Afghanistan "hammering" the enemy well past the July 2011 deadline to begin withdrawal of American forces.
In a Pentagon briefing, Conway claimed President Obama's timeline to begin withdrawal is "giving the enemy sustenance," telling the insurgent forces all they have to do is wait for the Americans to leave to takeover control of Afghanistan. But Conway said in some respect the deadline could work in favor of U.S. forces. Conway explained the Marines will be there well after July 2011, and what will the enemy leadership say then "when we're still there hammering them."
"President Obama was speaking to several audiences at the same time," Conway said.
Conway also acknowledged that Americans are "growing tired of the war" in Afghanistan. Pointing out that 60% of Americans polled recently are against the war, Conway said America's "leadership has to do a better job of explaining the last chapter" of the war, and the consequences should the U.S. abruptly pull out of Afghanistan.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
On "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," Conway suggested that if the law is repealed, the Marines may consider allowing Marines not to share quarters with gay servicemembers.
Conway said the Marines may make such arrangements "voluntary" to accommodate any "moral concerns." The general noted many Marines are "very religious," he said, and because of their moral concerns "don't want to room" with gay servicemembers.
But Conway stressed that if the law is repealed, the Marines would take the lead in implementing it. "We cannot be seen as dragging our feet," Conway said. "We've got two wars to fight. We'll implement it and move on."
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Wars are so perfect that all the issues will be addressed.
Taliban crushed
Drugs incinerated
Clean and incorrupted government
Peace in the Middle East
We asked, you told... everyone is gay.
Do the Marines really believe that they are not already sharing quarters with someone who may be gay? So their high morals are, as long as you lie, we are okay with it, if you tell the truth, well, not so much.
We know, and most of us are not bothered. Please do yourself a favor and refrain from casting all Marines in one negative stereotype. We are professionals and will act as such, and the few people who fail to do so will leave.
Make no mistake, we take pride in our morale standing, Ms Julie, and I would ask that you refrain from questioning it without cause.
I have "moral concerns" over unjust wars; but that hasn't stopped the government,...
This topic is just so old school. If you are working in today's society at ANY job, you are already working with Gays. Especially if you work for the Catholic Church. Okay, that was uncalled for; but still struck me as funny.
I haven't heard a 'Christian', yet who is willing to stand for the teachings of Christ AND co-exist with the tenets of our Constitution. They are so busy being superior to everyone that they are willing to dismantle the document Amendment 1 by Amendment 14 by Amendment 19 - whatever gets their ass masses to the polls, I guess? All righty then.
Could be that you're too busy flapping your gums about the extremists who get all the media attention to listen to the majority, middle of the road Christians who understand that God is the final judge and jury so we'll leave it to Him to decide what's right or wrong and we'll go about living our lives worrying about ourselves and hoping you'll do the same.
There is no god, it's a fairytale.
This is why there is so much trouble in the world revolving around governments with no seperation of chuch and state, like Isreal and all the muslum governments.
God is a figment of mans imagination and does not exist.
If you want to believe fine, but leave in out of the government, it's essential for world peace.
Mr. Conway, 1st, lemme say, Thank you for your service to America.
Now, i'll add, that Former President Bush & his Peons, screamed that line of BS, "the Enemy will just wait". I'm sure you know who the Enemy is, therefore, you know they can just wait.
When I hear this line of BS, it reminds me of Sen. Mccain, saying he knows where Osama is, however 2 years past the Presidential election, Sen. McCain, still has'nt Provided America with that InFo.
Sir, just do what you signed up for, & again, Thank You for your service to America.
What have you been General of? What branch did you serve in? What tactics are you familiar with? What military culture do you have first hand knowledge of?
In other words you're full of BS too........thats what I thought.........
ITM: What? What are you saying? What does that have anything to do with the statement made by Rick? Do you ever post anything that actually addresses a statement that someone else makes, or do you just attack? And why? What a miserable world you must live in. You don't have to have served in the military, or have been a general, to be able to state an opinion of an excuse to continue a war that no one really wants to continue except the hawks and the military. Just because an army exists does not mean that we have to have pre-emptive wars just to use it. There are many uses for the military. And just because you have served in the military does not mean that everyone else's service in other ways is less. Why don't you ever address a topic rather than diss everyone who disagrees with war or with what a military person says? They are not god, they're men and women who have chosen a profession.
General Conway, meet General McChrystal: The unemployment line is down the hall and to your right.
Also, General, the 21st century is down the hall and to your LEFT!
I would have to agree with the General on the "wait us out" issue. It's like a castle siege. He who can wait the longest wins. It is a war of attrition and if we tell them our end date they can stretch there supplies until the day after that. That is why we as a nation should not allow ourselves to be drawn into fighting wars this way. I believe we should leave and call it what it is/was a mistake. The General did not mention if we should be there or not because it is not his job to do so. It is his job to discuss plans and tactics which is what "wait them out" is. I would be disappointed in his abilities if he didn't recognize as a disadvantage.
ahh, JoAnne, priceless - LOL! thanks!
General - if you don't agree with the policy set out by the president, you have 2 choices:
1 - say "yes sir" and do your job
2 - resign and go cry on Fox
"Conway said the Marines may make such arrangements "voluntary" to accommodate any "moral concerns." The general noted many Marines are "very religious," he said, and because of their moral concerns "don't want to room" with gay servicemembers."
Excuse me? "Moral concerns"??? What moral concerns? This reminds me of the time I invited a friend who was going to be alone for Thanksgiving to join my family's dinner hosted by a gay relative and his partner at their restaurant. She declined, because it would make her "feel funny". I told her that it would be just like any other family Thanksgiving and that they were highly unlikely to be engaging in hot sex in the stuffing and mashed potatoes all night. She declined anyway. Haven't seen her since. You would think the Marines would have more important things to worry about too.
And the United States Marines will make special arrangements to accomodate someone's religious beliefs? What's next, separate barracks for Christians, Jews, atheists and those pesky Muslims? Can I have a separate room too if I worship trees?
And here I thought the Marines were supposed to be the tough guys. If you don't believe in fighting for and with ALL of your fellow Americans, maybe you shouldn't sign up in the first place.
First of all, I don't understand how anyone can believe that giving the enemy a timeline of when we are going to quit is helpful; nor do I understand how vilifying the leader of a country we are fighting in is helpful to anyone but the enemy. Obama has proven, once again, that this job is above his paygrade.
Likewise, with DADT.
Clinton got the ball rolling on this at a time when polls showed that 70% of people were against gays serving in the military. He opened up a national conversation that has been extremely useful-polls now show that an identical number of people, 70%, now SUPPORT gays serving openly. To that end, I would say that DADT was extremely useful in changing national opinion-and is past its prime.
Obama should show some courage and use an executive order to strike it from the books.
He won't do it, though.
you are Correct No joe, Obama wont do it.. but the Democrats will continue to use it as a whipping tool and say how homophobic that Republicans are. . One single stroke of the pen and Obama would end the whole Dissucusion... and most people in this country would support him doing it..
NJ
Indeed he should strike DADT immediately. And you are right, he won't. Shame on him for that.
The timeline - in other parlance, it is called 'having a plan' - has the approval of Gen. Petreus and Sec Gates. Not being a military person, I have to trust that the SoD appointed by the previous administration and the general that pulled that same administrations butt out of the Iraq fire know what they are doing.
Also, I have to applaud this president for at least having a plan, which the previous president (yes, I'm saying it, it is Bush's fault) didn't have for several years.
I'm all for having a plan. I just question the logic in sharing that plan with our enemy. Who needs spies when we just hand over the information through the press?
don't be disingenuous
you've read, as I have, that the plan is to evaluate the conditions for withdrawal. Not at some date certain to pull everyone out.
If that plan placates the Taliban to back off until we leave (not that I've seen any evidence of that) all the better. That might give us more time to gain ground and lay a foundation that would be more prohibitive to the Taliban's return.
who needs spies...geez
There's that little thing about existing law that would need to be changed for DADT to be repealed. But don't let that get in the way of your narrative.
ya know, Siegfried, Obama seems to only care about certain laws, not all of them.
I also seem to recall that there was a JAG opinion that Obama did, in fact, have executive power to do away with DADT. Let's just ignore that, too-since it does not fit your narrative.
His treatment of DADT and DOMA, (for which the Obama justice department submitted a brief in SUPPORT) tell me that we have the worst of all possible worlds here,
a fiscally profligate, socially conservative president.
Exactly the opposite of what people want, which is a fiscally conservative, socially liberal president. You know-like Clinton.
Obama is attempting to restore the balance of powers & not usurp the Legislative Branch, as so many recent Presidents have. This is very inconvenient, & makes him look like he's "doing nothing" - but ya know, there's that durned inconvenient Constitution that (lies & propaganda to the contrary notwithstanding) he actually cares about.
On DADT, I am horrified at the valuable troops we're losing & those we're not losing, but giving them the added distraction of having to live lies when they really don't need anything else on their mind - but it's up to Congress. I would like to see Obama put more pressure on Congress, but other than that, his options are very limited. DADT was enacted by the Legislative Branch, so any permanent, Constitutional remedy can only come from the Legislative Branch.
Yes, he could sign an Executive Order that GLBT are allowed to serve openly. & they would; they would come out in droves. & then our next Republican president could sign an Executive Order that GLBT are not allowed to serve, & discharge all the troops who came out under Obama's Order.
& an Executive Order purporting to "fix" DADT would stop all pretense of Congress moving on a legal repeal.
As much as I hate DADT, unless Congress actually does something about this, there's nothing anyone else can do which wouldn't put our GLBT troops in an even worse position. & at least the discharges help to keep the pressure on Congress.
& did anyone else notice that, Dan Choi (who's at least as much of a hero as anyone in this country), was honorably discharged - after encouraging other service members to come out & protesting, in uniform, at the White House (both of which could have been charged as insubordination, fomenting dissention in the ranks, & other "crimes" which truly could have been charged as treason ((hopefully unnecessary) clarification: Dan Choi is a hero, not a traitor, I'm talking about the absolute letter of the law which could have been used against him in blatant persecution). This allows Dan to have a better civilian life until we can finally get rid of DADT, & even more importantly, lets us get him back once we finally get rid of this obnoxious, unworkable & bigoted policy.
While definitely not a "good" thing, it's a lot more than other administrations would have done. Other than rainbows & ponies, what more do you want Obama to do on DADT?
& the timeline vs. no timeline is just a continuing argument between the left & right, between those who think we really should stay in Afghanistan until the country wants us to leave (in other words, forever) & those who think they need to understand the reality that we're not going to stay forever - so there's nothing new there - except that the people who advocated a timeline under the prior administration were branded as traitors.
People who have never served in the military should shut their traps. Until you've been there, you'd never understand. Most liberal nutbags have never been there, so STFU.
....and not being blasphemous, but did you ever think about 12 men following another man around, loving him with their whole hearts and souls, and rejecting their marriages....., just askin'. Not saying there's anything wrong with that, but maybe we should think about that premise in the whole discussion of gays in the military and morality.
but you are.
Besides being unneccessarily provocative, it is extremely UNHELPFUL to the cause of equal rights for all.
Next time, think before you post.
No NJAllBlow - I am for equal rights for all and am pointing out that those 12 male apostles and Christ lived together, drank together, etc. Maybe the military needs to just think about that rather than their holier than thou Christian morality that absolutely makes no sense. Morality means equal rights for all. That is moral. Anything else is immoral. Maybe you should make an attempt to understand what is being said, unless it is too subtle for you.
Cathy M. I have often thought the same thing. With some of the people who are SOOOOOOO Godly against gays, you have to wonder if they have ever given that any thought.
okay, I'll try to make it really simple:
simply saying that you are not being blasphemous does not alter the fact that your statement, however clever you think it is, is just THAT.
Now, why on earth would you hand those who are misguidedly against equal rights a weapon like that?
The argument then becomes about THEIR rights, rather than the rights of those being discriminated against.
Just suck it up and admit it was a stupid thing to post, rather than the clever, pithy thing you thought it was when you posted.
Thanks for my laugh of the day no jo: for you to be accusing others of not being clever or pithy is HYSTERICAL since you are neither. Add to it, you are not the thought police, and whether you think something is blasphemous is irrelevant. No one cares what you think.
NDD,
I, too, am LMAO. And the Double Whammy - anyone else picking up on the absurdity of someone engaged in WAR (but not a Holy War, mind you) having the unmitigated GALL to play G-d by holding the Cross out front while discussing another Morality Play? I swear, The Daily Show couldn't make this crap up. Cathy M - your point was made and received; but njnbnj ALWAYS has to have the last word. Especially on issues of Christianity. Her compass points Due North in this regards because that's how tightly she's wound. We've all gotten used to it. You may as well learn the Rules of Her Engagement,...
Clara: you are exactly right.
Guess McCain was right about broadcasting a withdrawal date for removing the troops. More evidence of the rookie in Obama. Also heard Biden saying yesterday that our military presence in Iraq will last for many more years. Wasn't McCain vilified for saying that a couple of years ago? Oh yeah, the Democrats sound bited him, cutting his words about the presence he envisioned was like our continued presence in Germany and S. Korea. Why isn't the media reminding us about that?
I can't believe the religious cults have any say in the US Government ! This guy must be a total loser if he is a cult follower ...I have raised my children not to believe in... or be swayed by ...any religious cult .Look how warped these cult members are !
Exactly why your children will grow up and go down the wrong path. You give children a choice in matters of spirituality, if they chose to be ignorant like their parents, then so be it.
IMT, I really don't know why you have to be so hateful.. .where in KeepN if Real's statement did he mention choice.... he was just saying that our children should have a mind of their own...
Okay, go ahead and raise your kids like drones who will follow you at ur feet. U actually dont know how sick that sounds. It's okay, your kids will afterall grow up to be republicans, who follow Boner and CANTor around.
Tunde"
If you READ what he said you would see that he is referring to believer's as cult members. IN other words he does not believe in God.
I am the one that said "Let children make thier own choice in matters of spirituality".
You got it twisted.
Is this guy Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway a fairy or what? is he concerned he cant be alone out in the crusades with other men? Maybe this " nancyboy" should go him self !!!!
He has seen more combat than most. Please check his record before you act as if he is unwilling to kill and die for his country. He said he "may consider allowing Marines not to share quarters with gay servicemembers," but if the law is changed he will do his duty and make sure the Marines implement it immediately. As a leader he has to think of all of the men and women under his charge. I doubt most Marines will care but for those that do they may get the option. What more would you want from him. He defends the policies he doesnt make them.
what a jerk !!! the U.S. is much better off as a nation without wasting time, money and lives in Afghanistan !!! and as for gays in the military, only closet homosexuals like this guy give a damn about the issue !!!
p.s. I am certain that this ass would have been against the integration of the armed services !!!
Totally agree. Gay servicemembers are sharing quarters right now. Military code of conduct would still apply to homosexual members of service, just as it does now. These so called morally just soliders do not have moral objections killing other humanbeing in public but have a moral objection to what two people (neither of which are them) to do in private.
The Marines intend of segregate homosexuals just as the military did to black people during WWI and WWII. Didn't work then, won't work now.
Ok so I am conservative on some issues and some I am not....Im so tired of this talk about gay people and saying things like this. We are all the same!!! If Jesus were around today he wouldnt ask to be seperated from "gay" people or anyone of that matter. These men and women that are serving our country, they are fighting the same war!!!! Talk like this should be over with!! And anyone that has a problem with it morally needs to look at their own moral standards!!
The Marines join the Corps knowing that they are required to follow orders. They are already serving with gays. I would guess that the people who really have trouble with this are the old men who are in leadership positions, and if they can't understand that they need to follow orders too, they should retire. I can't recall the Marines being particularly concerned about other sensitivities, pretty much you do what you are told. So it should be with this.
I guess it would be better to let the Afghans think we will be there forever. If the enemy is going to wait until we leave, does that mean we have to stay there forever, or just leave and not tell them anything? If we do all the fighting, when are the Afghans going to fight their own battles. The Taliban live there, and will always be able to influence the population, we they want too. We are invaders, and can't stay there and occupy their country to keep the Afghans safe. Other countries have left, and we need to also. We can't afford to keep fighting this war forever. This general seems to want to keep fighting, and keep gays in the closet as well. He wants to keep the status quo. That is his job.
Yes, he want's to keep doing his job and thank God for that! For without people like all that came before, all that are here now and all that will serve their country in the future eventually some bad guys will be knocking on all of our doors. Maybe not next year or the next decade but it would happen. Do you ever think about how many boys and men have layed dying, in excrutiating pain on some god-forsaken beach or in the mud somewhere with their guts hanging out so that others can live their lives free and without fear? Everytime the Star Bangled Banner plays I have a hard time not tearing up just thinking about all of those individuals with moms and dads, sisters and brothers, wives and children, friends and best friends and all of their hopes and dreams still ahead of them that they'll never see. So cut the man some slack. He is trained and dedicated to fighting and winning wars so that we can sit on our computer and give our opinions no matter how idiotic and twisted or intelligent and sensible that they may be! Like he needs or should be worried about whose feelings might get hurt or what new social public policy he has to worry about. Geez, get a life!!!!!!!!!
Hello America, let us look at the News, and I will try to see if I can give the Troops some encouragement, """""""""""" In a Pentagon briefing, Conway claimed President Obama's timeline to begin withdrawal is "giving the enemy sustenance," telling the insurgent forces all they have to do is wait for the Americans to leave to takeover control of Afghanistan."""""""" first we need to study the basic philosophies of war, and detect where we are and where we hope to be, and I recognize that the Pentagon is looking for leadership from the Whitehouse, which saddly to say will not be forth coming anytime soon between now and 2012. first off let us consider the Commander in Chief """""""""" Soldiers donot like being under the command of one who is not of Noble birth: - Onosander ..........""" sorry Kenya just doesnot cut it, so the Pentagon can do little about the Commander in Chief, so the question is what do we do between now and 2012? hummmmmm? """"""""" A disorderly mob is no more an Army than a heap of building materials is a house: - Socrates ............""""""""" we need organzation and a purpose as best we can under the circumstances, """"""""""" Adversity reveals the genius of a general, good fortune conceals it: - Horace .....""""""" and again """""""" The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise :- Tacitus............""""""" A small country cannot contend with the great, the few with the many, or the weak with the strong:- Moncius.........""""""""To those who flee comes niether power or glory:- Homer........"""""" and finally for the men and women, in the service comes this sage counsel, """" I am no more afraid of our mistakes than our enemies designs:- Pericles......"""""" we ought not let our imaginations run away with us, then after having said that let us look forward to 2012. sincerely Fezzy Bear
We're A Daisy if We Do, and a Huckleberry If We Don't!
by
Robert Pike
August 24, 2010
These United States will never withdraw its military forces from either Afghanistan or Iraq unless they are defeated as we were in Vietnam . That the people of those two nations do not want our forces in their countries is irrelevant to U.S. corporations and our government. Consequently, the insurgency against the occupation will not stop. The resistance against the unprovoked invasions and occupations of both nations is a mirror image of the colonies militia movement against Britain's redcoats during our revolution back in 1776.
While this editorial is based on facts and vetted research many people on both sides of the political spectrum in America will disagree and insult my reporting. That being said, it is past time that we citizens admit and accept that the motives for both wars are centered around oil and minerals deposits and to enhance the position of U.S. energy and mining firms when negotiating for contracts to explore, mine, drill pump, pipe, and ship the substance from those two nations to international markets before and after the commodity is sold on the global exchanges.(1) (2) Oil from those nations has a per barrel production cost of less than $5 a barrel, while the cost here in the United States eclipses $30 a barrel. (3) Given that members of Boards of Directors of corporations have a fiduciary duty to maximize stockholder profits, they will continue to rely on operating in nations where the production price of petroleum is the lowest, so that their bottom line will continue to stay high.
It is vital for Joe and Sally Main Street to know that the U.S. is down to its last 21 million barrels of proven reserves ( a 3.1 year supply should all imports cease). That number includes the oil in Alaska and off the coasts of these United States.(4) Additionally, since the U.S. consumes 19.4 million barrels per day and produces a total of 6.7 million barrels of petroleum each day, the imports from foreign nations will continue to increase above the 11.1 million we already import each day to keep the economy running. (5). Attempts such as the 1990 California Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV), mandate which required two percent of the state's vehicles to have no emissions by 1998 and 10 percent by 2003, which was sued into extinction by the U.S. Auto and Energy industry, are meaningless and a waste of time. (6). Those entities actions and monetary contributions to candidates and campaigns to sustain the highly profitable current primary transportation system and the energy source it requires in these United States, are considered free speech by the U.S. Supreme Court.(7).(8).
Additionally, and in stark contrast to the smoke and mirrors about these United States developing alternative energy sources the current system employees 2.1 million people in this nation, supports 9 million others and adds $1 trillion annually to the U.S. economy. Folks fantasying that these industries are going to permit development of another energy source that cannot produce pornographic profits for existing corporations are delusional. (9)
The other factor in the equation is the revenue and jobs generated by the military industrial complex. These United States expend nearly $1 trillion annually for what is sold to the public as national security and defense of our homeland. (10). This industry employs including the members of all the branches of the military including reserves, and civilian employees eclipses 2.9 million.(11). The number of employees working in the private sector that depend on military contracts is another 1.6 million. (12) Combined together that is 7 million domestic jobs, the loss of which added to the current real unemployment rate would skyrocket from the actual 22% or 33 million to 37.5 million, making the real unemployed rate in America 37.5%, not the currently reported 9.6%.(13).
The United States federal government is broke and on the verge of bankruptcy. Its collective national debt is not the reported $12.9 trillion ($41,900 for each U.S. citizen) but really eclipses $60 trillion ($180,000 per citizen). (14) Given the declining manufacturing base (about 11% of the jobs in the U.S. now vs. nearly 50% after WWII), shirking salaries exacerbated by a nationwide failing education system, there is no math formula that can show how the United States Government can collect sufficient income taxes in the out years to cover this debt.
Relevant Quotes
(A). "I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country."
Thomas Jefferson
(B). "As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways, such attachments are particularly alarming to the truly enlightened and independent patriot. How many opportunities do they afford to tamper with domestic factions, to practice the arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, to influence or awe the public councils. Such an attachment of a small or weak towards a great and powerful nation dooms the former to be the satellite of the latter.
Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I conjure you to believe me, fellow-citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of republican government. But that jealousy to be useful must be impartial; else it becomes the instrument of the very influence to be avoided, instead of a defense against it. Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the favorite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests.
The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop."
George Washington in his Farewell Address to the Nation 1796
(C). "I spent 33 years and 4 months in active service as a member of our country's most agile military force--the Marine Corps. I served in all commissioned ranks from second lieutenant to Major General. And during that period I spent most of my time being a high-class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and for the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for capitalism. I suspected I was part of a racket all the time. Now I am sure of it. Like all members of the military profession I never had an original thought until I left the service.
War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.
I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we'll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag.
I wouldn't go to war again as I have done to protect some lousy investment of the bankers. There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights. War for any other reason is simply a racket
War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small "inside" group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes.
I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefits of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long. I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers in 1909-1912 (where have I heard that name before?). I brought light to the Dominican Republic for American sugar interests in 1916. In China I helped to see to it that Standard Oil went its way unmolested. During those years, I had, as the boys in the back room would say, a swell racket. Looking back on it, I feel that I could have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents."
U.S. Marine Corp General Smedley Butler (Ret). Two Time Congressional Medal of Honor Winner.
(1). Iraqi Oil: More Plentiful Than Thought: by Vivienne Walt. Time Magazine. April 24, 2007. http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1614000,00.html
(2). U.S. Identifies Vast Mineral Riches in Afghanistan. by James Risen . New York Times June 30, 2010. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/world/asia/14minerals.html
(3). U.S. Energy Information Administration: Independent Statistics and Analysis. February 2010. http://www.eia.gov/neic/infosheets/crudeproduction.html
(4). Energy Information Administration. Table Posted: March 3, 2009 http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/international/reserves.html
(5). U.S. Energy Information Administration. http://www.eia.doe.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=oil_home#tab2
(6). Who Killed the Electric Car? http://www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com/
(7). Buckley v. Valeo . 424 U.S. 1 (1976). http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=424&invol=1
(8). A Free Speech Landmark. Wall Street Journal. January 22, 2010. http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748703699204575016843479815072.html
(9). Energy Tomorrow. Industry Jobs. http://www.energytomorrow.org/Industry_Jobs.aspx
(10). United States Department of Defense. August 24, 2010 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Defense
(11). The United States Armed Forces. August 19, 2010. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_armed_forces#Personnel_in_each_service
(12). Americas Biggest Jobs Program -The U.S. Military. August 12, 2010 by Robert Reich. http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/12/americas_biggest_jobs_program_--_the_us_military/
(13). The Nations True Jobless Rate is Closer to 22% by John Crudele. The New York Post January 12, 2010.http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/how_nation_true_jobless_rate_is_N4E6MjtfhnMcCi537pucaJ
(14). Taxpayers of the Hook for $59 Trillion by Dennis Cauchon. USA Today May 5, 2007. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-05-28-federal-budget_N.htm
Doesn't this idiot general know that Marines are already sharing barracks with Gays and lesbians? Someone should tell him.
The Marine Corps Commandant is a little more than a "Pentagon Official"...and Hey Jo-Anne-religion aside....how would you feel if you were taking a shower in a squad bay and 2 men joined you? is that morally correct for you? Your dinner comment is irrelevant and fully displays your ignorance toward the issue. call me homophobic-if a gay guy joins me in the shower in a squad bay I have issues with that.
...and Smith1...what have you done to serve your country?...or anyone else on this page for that matter
Semper Fi here in Georgia
What about the unjust occupation of a country?!!! We won the war when we ousted the Taliban. It is not for the US to police a civil war, or is our self-ceñtered belief that the US is more important than the other countries in the world getting in the way.
WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR BELIEF THAT THE US SHOULD NOT GET INVOLVED IN A CIVIL WAR.
HOW WOULD WE HAVE REACTED IF MEXICO INVOLVED THEMSELVES IN OUR WAR BETWEEN THE STATES?
Mike, Denver