Originally Posted by Geeb
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I don't believe I have called out the US in this thread, although we are not as pure as the driven snow as some die hard patriots must believe. I try to be a realist and unbiased.

I've studied the history of the US and our CIA and I have my own conclusions, but ultimately that's up for you to decide. If you think that every war we have ever been in was justified, and you are happy with the US government taking your money and your kids and sending them off to fight all over the world then you are obviously happy with us being the World Police. Perhaps it was justified immediately after WWII when the rest of Europe and Asia was devastated, which is why we had the magnanimous Bretton Woods Agreements. I personally believe that arrangement has outlived it's usefulness

It would be interesting to see us maintain a strong military as a deterrent to others and stay out of everyone else's business for a change and see how prosperous of a nation we can actually become.

Do you typically intervene in stranger's arguments in daily life?

Frankie stated that "Without war evil people would rule."

I say, "Evil people start wars." My position is the same as the gun argument, "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." We should all defend ourselves, I've stated that multiple times in this thread.

That's the problem I have with it. I've never inferred in this thread that anyone turn the other cheek to avoid war. What we get when we get this militaristic death cult that is fostered by the people who get rich off of conflict (Military industrial complex) and their politician cronies, is we create "boogymen" that we feel we need to fight.

If we think China and Russia are so bad, why don't we just go ahead and start a war with them now while we believe we are stronger than they are and just get it over with and form a one world government with the United States in charge of the whole thing? Seriously... Because that's what it seems that so many American war hawks are really after.

I'm not trying to be a contrarian, but I can't accept your statements as fact. I believe you and I would be more aligned outside of written text.

"Do you typically intervene in stranger's arguments in daily life?" Like the guy running through Walmart stabbing people? yes, I'd most certainly intervene. Would you? If no one helps people when they are in distress, where would we be as a society?

Your statements contradict your claim to being a realist. A realist sees war as inevitable and part of human nature and international politics. That's not what you espouse.

War is a nasty business...our force since Vietnam has been 100% volunteer. People know what they are getting into and are aware that they may not agree with the reasons they are in it. They aren't forced to join.

"then you are obviously happy with us being the World Police" I've fought alongside Canadians, brits, new Zealanders, Dutch, French, afghans, and many other nationalities, yes, I believe we need friends who will cover our back and us theirs. I do not believe in the new mantra that we are the 'world's police'. We look out for other countries and they help look out for us when called upon. Without those alliances, we are much weaker as a nation. Do those nations always foot their fair share? nope, but some assistance / support is better than none.[/quote]