America's Choice, Our future...

TarJak · 02-07-08, 07:51 PM

An interesting and insightful commentary on the US Presidential race:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/a...e#contentSwap1

SUBMAN1 · 02-07-08, 08:34 PM

W need to spend more on defense.

More F-22's.

More Virginia's.

More on our space infrastructure.

Why? Because the damn world expects us to defend them lately, and no matter how the US likes it or not, any country that falls victim to violence affects our economy, so it is actually in our best interest to make sure they are stable.

-S

Sailor Steve · 02-07-08, 09:08 PM

But when is it defense and when is it offense? The article is right: we seem to use it lately to browbeat anyone who gets in our way.

I disagree with Obama on a lot of domestic issues, but I'm behind him on this very important foreign policy one.

Onkel Neal · 02-07-08, 10:18 PM

Good article.

Quote:

Australia has a keen interest in America's wars. We are the only country in the world that has fought alongside the Americans in every major war of the 20th and 21st centuries. When America goes to war, so, historically, do we.

That emphasizes the importance of allies like Australia and Great Britian, and the consequence of unilateral action without them on our side. America needs to consider her allies' interests.

TarJak · 02-08-08, 04:23 AM

I think you've hit the nail on the head Neal. Both sides of this long standing alliance need to ensure that both countries interests are considered prior to acting, particularly when making decisions in relation to incursions into foreign countires.

I think that the same may be said of the UK although perhaps there has been a little more equity in that long standing relationship than the one between Australia and the US.

I think that the relationship will be tested should either McCain or Clinton succeed in their bid to the Presidency. The Rudd government was elected on a platform of withdrawing our troops from Iraq, (whilst maintaing our presence in Afghanistan), and I feel that should further incursions be called for by the US, then Rudd may not be as willing to commit troops as his predecessor.

If Obama gets in I think there will be quite a bit of sync between the two parties as his stance is clearly one of force should be used as a last resort.

Either way there are interesting time ahead for all of us.:hmm:

Skybird · 02-08-08, 05:48 AM

Good article.

Tchocky · 02-08-08, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

Why? Because the damn world expects us to defend them lately

Really?

Dowly · 02-08-08, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tchocky

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

Why? Because the damn world expects us to defend them lately

Really?

I second that question. :hmm:

STEED · 02-08-08, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

the damn world expects us to defend them lately

So nuke Iran!!!

The press have a saying here. "Print and be damed."

SUBMAN1 · 02-08-08, 02:28 PM

This is why you have shrinking European defence budgets for example - the Europeans expect America to do it for them.

I have a great article on that somewhere. I must find it.

-S

Tchocky · 02-08-08, 02:37 PM

Do what, exactly?

STEED · 02-08-08, 02:38 PM

I got a better idea nuke the EU.

SUBMAN1 · 02-08-08, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tchocky

Do what, exactly?

Oops! Typing too fast. I do that once in a while. Edited it now.

-S

SUBMAN1 · 02-08-08, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

I got a better idea nuke the EU.

Why waste a good nuke on only 12 people? You know how much it costs to make one of those things? SHeeshhh!

-S

STEED · 02-08-08, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

Quote:

Originally Posted by STEED

I got a better idea nuke the EU.

Why waste a good nuke on only 12 people? You know how much it costs to make one of those things? SHeeshhh!

-S

Yea, but you still got to test them.

02-07-08, 07:51 PM	#1
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	America's Choice, Our future... An interesting and insightful commentary on the US Presidential race: http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/a...e#contentSwap1

02-07-08, 08:34 PM	#2
SUBMAN1 Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,866 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	W need to spend more on defense. More F-22's. More Virginia's. More on our space infrastructure. Why? Because the damn world expects us to defend them lately, and no matter how the US likes it or not, any country that falls victim to violence affects our economy, so it is actually in our best interest to make sure they are stable. -S __________________

02-07-08, 09:08 PM	#3
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	But when is it defense and when is it offense? The article is right: we seem to use it lately to browbeat anyone who gets in our way. I disagree with Obama on a lot of domestic issues, but I'm behind him on this very important foreign policy one. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

02-08-08, 05:48 AM	#6
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,602 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Good article. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

02-08-08, 02:28 PM	#10
SUBMAN1 Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11,866 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	This is why you have shrinking European defence budgets for example - the Europeans expect America to do it for them. I have a great article on that somewhere. I must find it. -S __________________ Last edited by SUBMAN1; 02-08-08 at 02:54 PM.

02-08-08, 04:23 AM	#5
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	I think you've hit the nail on the head Neal. Both sides of this long standing alliance need to ensure that both countries interests are considered prior to acting, particularly when making decisions in relation to incursions into foreign countires. I think that the same may be said of the UK although perhaps there has been a little more equity in that long standing relationship than the one between Australia and the US. I think that the relationship will be tested should either McCain or Clinton succeed in their bid to the Presidency. The Rudd government was elected on a platform of withdrawing our troops from Iraq, (whilst maintaing our presence in Afghanistan), and I feel that should further incursions be called for by the US, then Rudd may not be as willing to commit troops as his predecessor. If Obama gets in I think there will be quite a bit of sync between the two parties as his stance is clearly one of force should be used as a last resort. Either way there are interesting time ahead for all of us.:hmm:

02-08-08, 02:37 PM	#11
Tchocky Navy Seal Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,874 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Do what, exactly? __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

02-08-08, 02:38 PM	#12
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	I got a better idea nuke the EU. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!