Everybody knows Al Gore invented the internet anyway.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kulturkampf
I think that what we need to do is support a system that allocates more funding towards general protection of the foot soldier, and less in the way of funky explosives that all too often hit civilians (an infantryman can discriminate between a baby and a terrorist, but a bomb cannot).
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I agree entirely, particularly since the state vs. state concept of war at least
seems to be a fading notion. I'd rather see a smaller, more skilled, and well equipped military. Ya know, like universal soldier or something....
Don't get me wrong, I am not against military spending. I just think arguing about why we should support it because it cures cancer and makes improvements in technology is sort of weak. We should spend money on our military because we need to defend ourselves.
Regarding earlier themes in this thread, like jingoism (heh...jingo), nationalism, etc.
I think we need to be careful with nationalism and patriotism. As a U.S. citizen, I
want the soldiers who defend me to be patriotic to the point of nausea. I want them to be the types who cry during the national anthem. I know to a certain degree you need your soldiers to have that psychological buy-in in order to do what they are asked to do. I don't care that they tend to be ideologically different than me, and on average, conservative Republicans. I can live with that trade off.
With that being said, I think the average citizen needs to be careful with their patriotism.
" I would prefer people who have more of an inclination to be loyal to their own states and to understand the pespective of their own nation than to fall victim to vain exoticism and perceived intellectual thinking "
Sure, however we should be careful not to fall in to the constant trap of arrogance, because arrogance leads to laziness, which IMO, leads to defeat. I think it's perfectly rational (AND patriotic) to constantly question your government and nation. How else will you constantly improve and strive to remain the best?