If you were President, What would you do?

[Bill-SOCAL]

Why does every conflict we are involved in is to "Protect our freedom?"

Case in point, over 58,000 Americans died in Vietnam (hostile+disease/accidental+MIA) because if we did not stop the Commies over there then they would be in Downtown Omaha before you knew it. Of course the Communists now own all of Vietnam and last I checked they still speak English and shop at Wal-Mart in Omaha. So despite NOT stopping the commie hoardes our freedoms were none the less preserved. Go figure.

Patriotism is too often used as a driving force for the U.S to engage in conflicts that have little to nothing to do with our freedoms.

Well said.

"Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."

Samuel Johnson - 1775)

And why does it ALWAYS seem that the most war crazy people are the ones with NO experience at it (Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck, Kristol, Cheney and on and on)? They pound the war drum loudly in the name of Patriotism happy to send the sons and daughters of other people off to die.

It has been said with good reason that nobody hates war more than the warrior, which may explain why it is usually the non-warriors who are so quick to turn to it as a resolution to conflict.

[NitroVal]

Well duh.. Patriotism exists nowadays only for the sole reason to make the fat cats sitting in a nice plush chair in a 30 story climate controlled high rise fell good about themselves because they have a sticker on the bumper of their car that says "We Support Our Troops."

[domwilson]

Did anyone notice how the focus in Iraq changed? First it was because of WMD's then it changed to we had to "Liberate" the people from a dictator. If you listen to a politician, they always mention we have to protect american interests. I'd like to know what interests are they speaking of and are they really worth human lives?
These clowns need to be more truthful with us and stop all this foolishness. The american people are suffering because of the games they play.

[befu]

Aye!!!

When you get right down to it, we're all frustrated with our leadership. Both past and present. We all feel some degree of hopelessness and helplessness. I think all of us are old enough to remember the better times of the past and worry about the future. The division comes down to party lines and the ideologies that each represent. Instead of working together, our leadership has chosen to work against each other for their own benefits and not ours. And through our taxes, we keep rewarding their bad behavior and excesses. Voting and expressing ourselves is our only outlet. Unfortunately, this is a slow and sometimes unrewarding process. Politicians rely on our short memories and media influence to pull the wool over our eyes. We aren't learning from our mistakes and are doomed to repeat them. Just because Washington bickers like children, doesn't mean we should. Let's offer solutions and submit them to these crooks who represent us. We should no longer be complacent and stand up and speak our voice as a united people.

Sir, I tip my hat to you. Well said.

well, if I was wearing a hat. I am indoors now, and that would be a bit odd and disrepectful to have a hat on wouldn't it? anyways, how about a salute across the country?
brian

[Rumdog]

FYI, i know that Toyota isn't an American owned company. However, my Camry is just as or more made in America than cars owned by American companies. Also, the fact that you think Hawaii may not have been the most awesome place on earth in you're opinion, (which I disagree with), in no way justifies What Americans did there. Don't even get me started on the native Americans. What was soooo great about this countries founding fathers?

[domwilson]

I think the founding fathers had a great vision of a republic for the people, of the people and by the people. It is the greedy throughout history that have perverted that vision.

[Darin Jordan]

Don't even get me started on the native Americans. What was soooo great about this countries founding fathers?

Spoken like someone who really doesn't appreciate or understand their American History...

[befu]

Dark

Don't even get me started on the native Americans. What was soooo great about this countries founding fathers?

dude, this is one of or THE the darkest and sadest things I have ever seen on this board. You really feel that way? Wow, that is sad.

Peace, Brian

[m4a1usr]

So I assume we can put you down under the "Favors Genocide" column.



Spare me the lecture. My grandfathers both served in WWI, my father and step-father served in WWII, my older brother and I both served (Vietnam era) and my younger half-brother served in both the Gulf War and is currently in Iraq. My maternal uncle died in a Kamikaze attack on the USS Ticonderoga in WWII as well. I have a pretty fair idea of what it means to serve this country and the costs of our freedom. But thanks for taking the time to point them out for the group.

You must be thinking that I have lumped all muslims in a summary pile from your perspective Bill. I didnt say I favored killing them all, no that would indeed amount to a form of genocide. Quite the contrary, I favor killing only those who have declared us their enemy. Those who have our suffering at their hands foremost. Those are the fanatics, the extremists, they do not live by the Koran. They utilize it as a tool to spread their hatred of those not worthy. They made us their enemy. Not us. They instill violence in any that are willing to join and serve their delusions.

Those people do not need to exist. they need to be killed. I dont care if they are 8 or 80. Doesnt matter if they are man, woman, boy, girl. I didnt declare them my enemy. They stepped forward to declare me theirs. Thats called crossing the line. Do it and suffer the consequences.

So no Bill, you cannot lump me into some category of insane war monger from your perspective. Nice try but being protective and willing to use force for our protection doesnt wash with that arguement. I took an oath. So did you if you did indeed serve in the military.

To protect and defend against all enemies, foreign and domestic

John

[Rumdog]

It is dark and sad to question the genocide of the native americans? I guess i'm dark and sad then. "I think the founding fathers had a great vision of a republic for the people, of the people and by the people. It is the greedy throughout history that have perverted that vision." I do agree with this though.

[domwilson]

Sounds a lot like the proposed genocide of Muslims by some. We cannot go down that dark path once again for every ethnic group may be subject to that same proposal.

[Bill-SOCAL]

So did you if you did indeed serve in the military.

So now you feel it necessary to imply that I am a liar? Nice. Notice nobody questioned your statements on that basic of a level.

As far as insane war monger, saying that the only way to protect the US from all enemies is to kill them I think by definition is an insane statement. Or at least a simplistic way to view the world. Killing all your enemies is the only way to deal with them? Sound familiar? Like what you insist the radical extreme bad guy Islamofacists want to do to us?

[m4a1usr]

So now you feel it necessary to imply that I am a liar? Nice. Notice nobody questioned your statements on that basic of a level.

Your putting words in my mouth! I did not say that. You are taking things out of context and manipulating them to serve your purpose. You sir, are mismanaging the truth!! Sheese. What a politician!

John

[domwilson]

So with all that has been posted, I assume everyone is on board with domestic growth and more focus on our domestic well being? Take care of our own affairs before taking on others?

[Rumdog]

Absolutely Dom! Keep our nose in our own business and we'll be in better shape.