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Actually, I would argue that a conscripted army would be most likely to obey unlawful orders. A volunteer force may have a brain-washed officer corps, but there will always be dissenters in the non-com and enlisted ranks.
The price of oil recently closed at over one hundred dollars a barrel, and the overall economic picture for the United States has declined, as I've said it would. I bring up the point that hard times make for hard people. The extent of our future radicalization can and will be tied directly to our lack of economic prosperity. As the Republicans lose power, we should expect to see a rise in homegrown radical Christian fundamentalism.
These groups will perpetrate hate crimes, operating under the misguided assumption that they are somehow fighting for something that needs to be defended. It's ironic to me that as the Left ascends to power, the Right will descend to become some of the very terror that we've been trying to fight since 9-11.
Originally posted by donwhite
Sweet Jesus! Come Quick! Where oh where is the MARKET those mumbo jumbo-ers say they LOVE so much?
Now, as we watch, the Bush bubble is breaking. I'm not expecting inflation for 2008 to exceed 7% by year's end. Bear in mind that inflationary pressures can't be capped in anything less than 4 years. As it was in 1982, so shall it be again in 2008.
Actually, I disagree on the notion of Federal economic planning. As read the Constitution, I don't see anything in there about economic planning of the sort that many suggest today.
Side note: I was not for NAFTA because it deliberately rewards corporations for outsourcing. I spoke up against that than, and I still do so when I get the chance. the double-whammy of Clinton and Bush has done this country great harm. Bush has done more short term damage, and I'm willing to admit that.
Tax policy and trade regulation may be provinces of the Federal juggernaught, but it's gotten out of hand now that the beast advocates corporate policy.
Originally posted by donwhite
Q. Can you describe America in 2008 without describing fascism?
I do think that Democrats and Republicans alike are guilty of our current declining state. As the GOP is crushed and scattered for the next decade, there will be no force to check or hinder the Democratic party from continuing this dark journey.
Christ the Redeemer, is a statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue stands 130 feet tall, weighs 700 tons, and is located at the peak of the 2,296 ft Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city. en.wikipedia.org...(statue)
I don't disagree. The same poverty that helps politicians gain power will also 'enlist' a lot of radicals. Many people will feel justified in fighting what they see as a deliberate attempt to enslave them. Nothing is more scary than the radical who makes sense.
Originally posted by donwhite
Beware how easily these troops can shift from foreign adventures to domestic enforcement! I want a DRAFT Armed Forces!
I see that I'm rubbing off on you again. Just remember one thing. Conscripted troops will subjugate you easier than an all-volunteer force ever would. In the AVF, there would be dissenters who could form the core of a resistence. In a conscripted army, the political officers would make sure that there were no dissenters. I do not miss the old Soviet Union.
Originally posted by donwhite
Maybe you have a good observation there Mr J/O. The worst example of a AVF boo-boo was the Ohio National Guard at Kent State. You guys either can’t or won’t believe me when I tell you that during my 1949-1851 stint in the Army National Guard, we were never issued live ammo. Only senior NCOs carried the real bullets. And they would not issue ammo until given an order by an officer.
I, for one, do not doubt your ammo status. I do know that it was the norm to restrict ammo, back in the day. It's a policy that I do not disagree with, under the right circumstances. It's too bad that the Bush administration doesn't see that.