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Subject: Retaining America's 'Hard Power'
SYSOP    2/28/2017 11:39:17 PM
 
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avatar3    A gentleman   3/1/2017 2:13:22 AM
Colonel you are too kind.   Because you are an old school officer  and gentlemen you were brought up to believe that the Commander, no matter how incompetent, always had our best interest at heart. But I believe that Mr Obama and his two henchmen, the one who wanted a server in every closet, and the one who acted like he was on the brink of coming out of the closet, did not have the interests of the people of the United States of America at heart. I say that because I am (was) and old school NCO, not smart but  cunning enough to smell a rat.
 
SGMUSA(R)
 
 
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Clydwich       3/1/2017 5:58:58 AM
Well, although I might not agree with the whole assesment, I certainly agree with the sentiment. Wasn't it Theodore Roosevelt who said: Speak softly, but carry a big stick? I think the last generation of leaders have forgotten the big stick part. And the perception, by their opponents, of the presence or absence of the will to use that stick.
Unfortunately, your present opponents do not believe that the USofA still, or again, have the will to use that stick. And the whole nuclear thing complicates the situation a lot. Not to mention the fact that your allies are also not sure of this. And have their own problems with altering power balances, and a US that sends signals that it is itself not very clear about where her sphere of influence and/or vital interests are.
The one thing the US does make clear is that it is less willing to do all the dirty work around the world, and thinks her allies should pull their weight more. Which scares the shit out of some of them.....
 
 
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muskoka       3/1/2017 10:47:59 PM
Personally I agree Austin, but for discussion sake, let me add two other perspectives for your consideration.

(A) Being a Hegemon usually means being intolerant Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE of any slight to one's self perceived position vis a vis everyone else that matters. That has been the role the U.S. played for a very long time.  Is it the right role going forward?  IMO the answer remains yes but should that opinion prove unwise then there could be a whole different calculus about defense spending.

(B) As a life-long student of International Relations it's pretty clear to me the the root of U.S. foreign policy has been to oppose Empires.  Wilson got he idea started but couldn't sell it at home.  FDR picked up the loose ball and (if you'll overlook the facts for analogy purposes) ran it 99 yds for a touchdown. It's been our Foreign Policy ever since -- which is why we adopted the Hegemon role -- tho certainly in fits and starts under Obama.. . perhaps backtracking too, but that's not my point.  My point is to ask if it is time to give up that model and try something else.  Again, IMO the answer is no and as you pointed out, Iran, Russia, and China are all hoping we all say Yes.
 
 
Is it time to let go of all of that?  I believe Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE there are a lot of people who think we should.  Is Donald Trump one?  Maybe.  Are most national level Democrats? I'm inclined to think so.  The Alt-right movement? Probably. Casper Q. Public?  More so now than at any other time in my 64 years.  It leaves me concerned.

How about you?
 
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