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Too Few Troops, Too Much Spin
Commented Dec 10, 2009 at 06:56:15 in Politics
“So, even though "our security is at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan," we must make do without goals that are "beyond what can be achieved at a reasonable cost."
Dear Tony. We know you love war. We're not so sure you are paying attention to our precarious economic circumstances at home. I sure hope your judgement is correct that the country has the resources you seem to think, cause if you are wrong, the masses may show up on your door step demanding a share of the gold you got stored in your closet. But you'd forgive them, wouldn't you? After all, they'd be driven to it to by hunger and the need for other necessities uf life, that sort of thing.”
Dear Tony. We know you love war. We're not so sure you are paying attention to our precarious economic circumstances at home. I sure hope your judgement is correct that the country has the resources you seem to think, cause if you are wrong, the masses may show up on your door step demanding a share of the gold you got stored in your closet. But you'd forgive them, wouldn't you? After all, they'd be driven to it to by hunger and the need for other necessities uf life, that sort of thing.”
Titus replied on Dec 10, 2009 at 10:15:17
“I don't think Blankley loves war. He's never struck me as a shoot first, ask questions later individual. That being said, I do think his view is wrong-headed. This isn't a war in the traditional sense. Changing people's attitudes at the point of a gun is impossible. Smaller, tactical incursions to identify Al-Qaeda cell leaders and assassinate them is the right answer. It reduces civilian casualities and makes a pointed and symbolic statement that "we will come after those who harmed us, but we aren't like you radicals, we won't kill innocents in an effort to get you"....
As a related matter is cost. Let's keep some perspective. US casualties since 9/11 (rounding numbers)
Those killed in the attaches on 9/11 - roughly 3,000 people
US Servicemen and women killed in Iraq - roughly 5,000 people since 2003
US Servicemen and women killed in Afghanistan - roughly 2,000 people since 2001
Totals - roughly 10,000 people over 9 years.
Number of people in the US who died of influenza in 2008 - roughly 40,000
Influenza deaths in this country run at an average rate of 35 thousand per year. So over a 9 year period, we are talking 315 thousand dead. If we spent as much money on influenza prevention and treatment as we have on the Iraq/Afghanistan wars, how many people might we have saved?”
As a related matter is cost. Let's keep some perspective. US casualties since 9/11 (rounding numbers)
Those killed in the attaches on 9/11 - roughly 3,000 people
US Servicemen and women killed in Iraq - roughly 5,000 people since 2003
US Servicemen and women killed in Afghanistan - roughly 2,000 people since 2001
Totals - roughly 10,000 people over 9 years.
Number of people in the US who died of influenza in 2008 - roughly 40,000
Influenza deaths in this country run at an average rate of 35 thousand per year. So over a 9 year period, we are talking 315 thousand dead. If we spent as much money on influenza prevention and treatment as we have on the Iraq/Afghanistan wars, how many people might we have saved?”
The President's Jobs Initiative Doesn't Measure Up
Commented Dec 10, 2009 at 05:36:08 in Business
“... which brings us to the subject of Afghanistan.”
The President's Jobs Initiative Doesn't Measure Up
Commented Dec 10, 2009 at 05:34:07 in Business
“" ..we need a federal government that moves boldly and swiftly to counter-balance the huge recessionary forces still at large."
Is shouldering the burdens of war and a huge mil industrial complex a recessionary force? Too bad we can't get future gens to weigh in, since we are funding the machine with debt.”
Is shouldering the burdens of war and a huge mil industrial complex a recessionary force? Too bad we can't get future gens to weigh in, since we are funding the machine with debt.”
An Open Letter To President Obama On Afghanistan
Commented Nov 30, 2009 at 16:46:38 in World
“You're such a kidder.”
An Open Letter To President Obama On Afghanistan
Commented Nov 30, 2009 at 16:42:10 in World
“I am glad to find so many on HuffPo who feel we can afford to continue sending toops overseas and turning dollars into dust. Makes me feel my sense of impending economic disaster at home is baseless. I'll sleep better now.
From the times, 11/28/09: MARTINSVILLE, Ohio — With food stamp use at record highs and climbing every month, a program once scorned as a failed welfare scheme now helps feed one in eight Americans and one in four children.”
From the times, 11/28/09: MARTINSVILLE, Ohio — With food stamp use at record highs and climbing every month, a program once scorned as a failed welfare scheme now helps feed one in eight Americans and one in four children.”
hark replied on Nov 30, 2009 at 17:10:07
“What in the world are you talking about? The only Huffpovians, with few exceptions, who support these horrible wars are the trolls that infest this site.”
An Open Letter To President Obama On Afghanistan
Commented Nov 30, 2009 at 16:32:14 in World
“I don't recall him calling for escalation in Afgh. I do recall him contrasting Afgh with Iraq, but as a condemnation of the basis for going into Iraq rather than an endorsement of going whole hog into Afgh. Correct me if I got it wrong.”
An Open Letter To President Obama On Afghanistan
Commented Nov 30, 2009 at 16:25:06 in World
“What makes you think we are a superpower. If we had to pay for our military up front, instead of on credit, it would be a considerably smaller force. Super debtor is what we are.”
Arianna Discusses Obama's Afghanistan Decision On Charlie Rose (VIDEO)
Commented Nov 26, 2009 at 20:51:56 in Media
“Obama has lots of wrong people to go to for advice on Wall Street. Put Spitzer in charge of fixing WS. Your concern about the power to collapse the markets is valid, but with decent controls and savy administrators, we can get past that. The first big WS crook that gets tossed in the slammer will be a big heads up to the rest of them. But the first order of business is fix the rules. Right now the criminality is legal.
Bringing the troops home doesn't equate to a force reduction, but rather a force relocation. And it is much more expensive to be actively fighting than not.
Yes, we were suckered into war by BuChe. But now we're stuck and can't get out??? I don't accept this at all.”
Bringing the troops home doesn't equate to a force reduction, but rather a force relocation. And it is much more expensive to be actively fighting than not.
Yes, we were suckered into war by BuChe. But now we're stuck and can't get out??? I don't accept this at all.”
sytgrl replied on Nov 27, 2009 at 13:36:51
“I agree with everything you said, particularly about WS. We needed regulation yesterday, and although that is coming down the pipeline, it will be slow. I like Spitzer, who has been popping up, and I think that the WH support of Cuomo is in large part a push to clean up Wall Street.
I also agree that force reduction is force relocation, and active fighting just feeds the coffers of the military complex. Yet, the other issues I raised need to be (and I am sure are) a part of the decision the WH is making.
I do not want us to be in Iraq or Afghanistan--I actively protested BOTH wars at a time when America thought it made sense to go into Afghanistan. I do not accept the premise that we are stuck and can't get out. But I do expect that getting out will take years, and will likely take more troops in the short term to stabilize the situation.
The point of my post was simply to point out that whatever the WH decision is, it is not necessarily due to a lack of courage, and that we need to lose the mindset that if the president says it should be, that all of the players will just fall into line. WE have allowed our country has been compromised by the many moneyed interests, and simple decisions are usually never simple.”
I also agree that force reduction is force relocation, and active fighting just feeds the coffers of the military complex. Yet, the other issues I raised need to be (and I am sure are) a part of the decision the WH is making.
I do not want us to be in Iraq or Afghanistan--I actively protested BOTH wars at a time when America thought it made sense to go into Afghanistan. I do not accept the premise that we are stuck and can't get out. But I do expect that getting out will take years, and will likely take more troops in the short term to stabilize the situation.
The point of my post was simply to point out that whatever the WH decision is, it is not necessarily due to a lack of courage, and that we need to lose the mindset that if the president says it should be, that all of the players will just fall into line. WE have allowed our country has been compromised by the many moneyed interests, and simple decisions are usually never simple.”
Arianna Discusses Obama's Afghanistan Decision On Charlie Rose (VIDEO)
Commented Nov 26, 2009 at 20:28:21 in Media
“The White House must be placarded.
'Abandon wisdom all ye who enter here.'”
'Abandon wisdom all ye who enter here.'”
Sandmanj replied on Nov 27, 2009 at 01:30:35
“And that's exactly what its occupants, since JFK, have done.”
mesomorph replied on Nov 26, 2009 at 20:46:23
“good one.”
Sarah Palin Tells Rush Limbaugh the Magic Word
Commented Nov 22, 2009 at 05:30:51 in Politics
“Ms Palin will never permit controversial facts distract her from pointless dialogue.”
Putting Natural Gas to Work for America
Commented Nov 19, 2009 at 07:12:25 in Green
“Please continue to educate yourself on the issues related to extracting this natural resource. It is not a benign process. Check out http://www
Putting Natural Gas to Work for America
Commented Nov 19, 2009 at 07:06:26 in Green
“The process of extracting it has risks, particularly the process called hydrofracking, which will be used in the Marcellus Shale formation. Feel free to educate yourself about the risks. Try Shaleshock
Putting Natural Gas to Work for America
Commented Nov 18, 2009 at 20:09:59 in Green
“Does not using the word hydrofacking (a process developed by the angelic Halliburton Corp.), nor mentioning the toxic chemicals used in the process, nor discussing risks to ground water supplies and the inadquacy and lack of planning associated with processing the waste material (possibly to include radioactive materials) qualify as a minor oversight in this article? If you would like to know about the concerns of citizens living over the Marcellus shale, go to http://www
adamnb replied on Nov 19, 2009 at 00:30:59
“miner or minor?”
TheThinkerCometh replied on Nov 18, 2009 at 20:12:49
“Thanks for standing for truth, my friend. fanned”
FDR Would Not Accept a 'Jobless Recovery'
Commented Nov 18, 2009 at 19:56:58 in Business
“Slightly off topic perhaps, but is the emerging government health care program likely to relieve some of the pressure on businesses to layoff people in order to cut costs?”
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs -- Finally
Commented Nov 18, 2009 at 10:39:25 in Politics
“Our government has no vision of a lifestyle that is practical and sustainable. Until it generates or acquires such a vision, there can be no effective planning, and without effective planning, you get waste.”
overd0g1 replied on Nov 18, 2009 at 12:12:04
“The government isn't capable of creating any lifestyle, except poverty.”
Innovation in the 21st Century: Keeping the US Competitive
Commented Nov 17, 2009 at 08:41:24 in Technology
“"Now we are engaged in a truly global competition over who will have the best ideas and who will turn those ideas into products, services, and high-paying jobs."
Another iteration of the 'winner takes all' economic philosophy.
If it takes 10 people to make a robot that puts 50 people out of work, what happens to the 50 job losers? In the winner take all world, the movers and shakers don't care.”
Another iteration of the 'winner takes all' economic philosophy.
If it takes 10 people to make a robot that puts 50 people out of work, what happens to the 50 job losers? In the winner take all world, the movers and shakers don't care.”
Innovation in the 21st Century: Keeping the US Competitive
Commented Nov 17, 2009 at 08:08:25 in Technology
“Have you written to your reps and sens to let them know how and why you are disappointed and to tell them what you want them to do in the future? If not, your suggestion is premature.”
A Wake Up Call on Jobs
Commented Nov 16, 2009 at 15:44:39 in Politics
“Whatever the forces that put people out of work, there must be some strategy to get them back to work. Keeping your fingers crossed doesn't work.”
A Wake Up Call on Jobs
Commented Nov 16, 2009 at 08:51:40 in Politics
“I think the population understands there is something fundamentally wrong with our economy. That is why there is so much discontent. The thing they don't know is exactly how to fix it, and they don't have faith that government knows either. There are going to be some lifestyle changes coming too, but every initiative currently operative or planned is aimed at regaining what we have lost without consideration of such future constraints as natural resource depletion. Some long term planning would be good. Is there anyone in government listening?”
bluevase replied on Nov 16, 2009 at 16:46:58
“Government is listening to its masters -- the bankers.”
A Wake Up Call on Jobs
Commented Nov 16, 2009 at 08:39:16 in Politics
“During the post war years ... "The average deficit was about 1.1 percent, and with the economy growing much faster than the debt, the debt to GDP ratio declined to about 30 percent by the 1970s. So, we can grow our way out of debt -- but we need to get a real recovery going first."
Having shipped so many manufacturing jobs overseas, does Mr. Kuttner believe that our circumstances today are truly similar? Detroit reigned supreme in the 50's qne 60's. Certainly not now.”
Having shipped so many manufacturing jobs overseas, does Mr. Kuttner believe that our circumstances today are truly similar? Detroit reigned supreme in the 50's qne 60's. Certainly not now.”
overd0g1 replied on Nov 16, 2009 at 11:06:22
“Don't worry about manufacturing. Soon all manufacturing will be done by computer anyway (or dirt cheap foreigners). It's a dead end.”
Obama's Choice: Jobs Now or Republicans in November
Commented Nov 13, 2009 at 10:39:06 in Business
“You seem to imply that we cannot have a managed economy that operates without abuse. I believe we cannot have a fair and honest economy that operates for the benefit of all of the people unless it is managed. The key is to think things through before acting and to be sure the managers are people of integrity and good judgement.”
Tempest in a Teabag: Tea Party Founder Announces He's (Re)Joining GOP
Commented Nov 12, 2009 at 16:06:54 in Politics
“What is a tea baggers's carnival ride of choice?
Bumper cars. (You know, those cars that go in any and every direction and bang into things. it doesn't matter where you steer. It still comes out crazy.)”
Bumper cars. (You know, those cars that go in any and every direction and bang into things. it doesn't matter where you steer. It still comes out crazy.)”
Obama's (In)Decision on Afghanistan
Commented Nov 10, 2009 at 16:17:26 in World
“Take out pen and paper and write (or e-mail) Obama right now.”
Admit It: We Don't Really Think About the Troops
Commented Nov 05, 2009 at 05:34:04 in Politics
“"While Mr. Stone may think differently now that Barack Obama is in the White House, his point is still well taken." = Gratuitous spin.
War is unaffordable. Bring them home now.”
War is unaffordable. Bring them home now.”
The New Red Ink Scare
Commented Oct 28, 2009 at 06:55:41 in Business
“If the USA lived within its means, vice running on debt, our lifestyle would be substantially different. Isn't continued deficit spending akin to perpetuating a myth?
If we were smart, we would identify a way of life that was sustainable (all things considered, including climate change) and steer our infrastructure investments in that direction. But, we are not smart. We do not plan.”
If we were smart, we would identify a way of life that was sustainable (all things considered, including climate change) and steer our infrastructure investments in that direction. But, we are not smart. We do not plan.”
jmpurser replied on Oct 28, 2009 at 09:01:05
“You're right about deficit spending in good times. These ARE NOT good times. There is also a difference in the type of spending we went into debt for. Going into hock to pay for wars for the fun of them and making the rich much richer is national suicide.”
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