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Finally, I was bothered by something you said. You said "The cold, hard truth is that it is better to invest 1500 American lives now to ensure the stability of the mid-east..." Given that, why haven't you quit your job and become death #1501 in the cause you so believe in? You don't have to answer that, just think about it.
Originally posted by Pyros
The fact is, friend, is that I have already given six years of my life to be on the front lines, defending my country. I am too old at this point to be considered eligible for active duty. I have seen plenty of tyranny in my time, and I have lost good friends to those tyrants, which could have just as easily been me.
So, now I make my living and contributions to my nation's security by performing my job as en employee of a well-respected company that provides products and services for our nation's fighting men and women.
I don't have to think about the ramifications of putting one's money where their mouth is. The honorable discharge, hanging on the wall in my office right in front of me, reminds me evey day of what I personally invested in what I believe in, and also of the sacrafices that my friends and shipmates made as well.
Unfortunately, it's always easier to "put your money where your mouth is" when what you are advocating is to sit on the sidelines and do nothing.
It's a civil war. It's not our business.
Originally posted by sweatmonicaIdo
You didn't answer the question. Why don't you quit your job and devote the rest of your life to this cause, until the goal is achieved? Do you think six years is enough, that it's like a prison sentence, "time" more than a duty you believe in? If so, then that really doesn't entitle you to anything. If you believe what you believe, then going out and making the world safe for America should be your duty 24/7, until the goal is achieved. Otherwise, you're just the same as anybody who hasn't "done any time," like you have.
As for "too old for active duty," that's a rather poor excuse. Who says you have to serve in uniform? If you believe in your cause so much, there should be no reason for you to wait for somebody else's orders or to be a part of a unit when you can do so much just on your own. Or do you not know anything?
Remember, if you can't answer the question, don't try to.
[edit on 8-3-2005 by sweatmonicaIdo]
Taiwan is part of China, Taiwan are chinese people
Originally posted by DrHoracid
Ok "Thong-boy" how many years did you give to your country? How long did YOU serve? I think Pyros is doing "his/her" part, what about YOU?
I you don't think China is bent on world domination you are truely a lost cause. They control a majority of the worlds seaports thru military controlled corporations. They are also mapping the seabed route in the pacific ocean near japan because it is the most likely route for a US task force to use when they "attack" Taiwan.
China is on a drive to world domination..........
Originally posted by Rasputin13
Thank God you don't have a vote that counts here.
Originally posted by smokinjoe
Well I hold Australian and New Zealand citizenship and I beleive that one day China will become a direct threat to these two countries.
I say hit them now and hit them hard while we still have the chance - beleive it, they would do the same to us if they had the chance. If we continue to let them "tool up" we will live to regret it. I say go in and split that damn country up - insite a civil war or some effing thing, just don't let them continue to grow in power... we owe it to our grandchildren to do everything in our power to ensure that the Sleeping Dragon does not awake!
Originally posted by djohnsto77
I'm confident that drfunk certainly does not represent the view of the Australian government, I mean they're in Iraq right? But if China does launch a military attack on China and Australia doesn't do anything to respond to their aggression against a free people, it should be the U.S. who needs to reevaluate any military alliance with Australia.
"Last August, Mr Downer told an audience in Beijing that Australia would not automatically join America if it chose to defend Taiwan from an attack by Beijing. His comments brought criticism from Washington, and Mr Downer was forced to retreat, arguing he was only speaking hypothetically.
For Australia, smooth relations with China are particularly important at this time. Australian and Chinese officials are working on a study, due to be completed in April, to determine if negotiations for a free-trade agreement should commence.
Mr Howard is scheduled to visit Beijing in April to meet President Hu Jintao. The Australian prime minister wants to be able to use that opportunity to announce the commencement of talks on the free-trade deal. While such an agreement with China is not universally applauded in Australia, it would provide a link to the world’s fastest growing economy.
One of Australia’s leading strategic analysts, Hugh White, told the Sydney Morning Herald that the US continued to regard China as a strategic competitor and potential adversary, while Australia saw it as “our future economic saviour"
Originally posted by sweatmonicaIdo
drfunk,
I should've mentioned this before, but what you are talking about is one of the causes of World War I: alliances.
Like I told csulli, you can't love anything too much. Alliances have their pluses, but their minuses can be deadly.
Originally posted by djohnsto77
Well first China took Tibet, now it looks like they're taking Nepal, next Taiwan...how many more countries does China have to take before some of you recognize it as a threat to all? Will it take Japan? Australia itself? The situation looks far more like Nazi Germany in the lead up to WWII instead of WWI.