ATS.MIX: Above Politics Show 21, page 1

Outstanding show, guys. Sounds like Wayne definately had his coffee before calling in.

There was so so so much that he said that I have long agreed with. BUT, just to be the (proverbial) quibbling son of a butcher, I wanted to respond to a few things.

Firstly,

As to why we are paying for the defense of Germany, Japan and South Korea.

1) We defend South Korea in order to protect them from North Korea. They are a source of cheap labor and are doing well enough, but I wouldn't call them a "wealthy" country as Mr. Root did. A whole host of products such as 79-cent butane lighters may not seem like a justification for defending an Asian population, but there's more than money at stake.

While I agree with the Libertarian Party on most issues, political and, thus, economic isolationism is not one of them. Barry Goldwater famously (or infamously said, based on your stripe) that "extremism in the defense of Liberty is no vice and moderation in the pursuit of Justice is no virtue".

I want America to continue to stand with the tired huddled masses yearning to breathe free, but they shouldn't have to cross an ocean and make a new home in a strange land to do so.

Somewhat ironically, I think, Libertarians like Neil Boortz often say that they support open borders world-wide. Not that I see the world wholey through a 911 prism, but I think it's obvious why that ideal would be an unwise pursuit.

2) We defend Japan because Japan has no military. We disarmed them as a condition of their surrender and are now responsible for their defense. Perhaps Wayne could research Japanese opinion on this matter. Would they be willing to redirect a significant portion of their national wealth toward defense just as China is becoming more wisely industrialized and may perhaps be holding a longstanding grudge?

Would Wayne say: "That's their problem to deal with, not ours", as if even 1% of Japanese alive today had anything to do with the war or it's conclusion?
Or would he say: "That was then and this is now", as if the future of the eastern Pacific rim has less relevance than it's past?

3) Re: Germany: I'd almost agree with Wayne, since the Cold War is over. But, with Putin's recent shananigans, I'm nonplussed by the suggestion that we may have no more national interest there, as well.

Secondly.......,

Well, since I ran on so long on the first one, I guess I'll save the second one for another post.