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Loose Canons

Obama’s Helter-Skelter Strategy

By on 1.30.12 @ 6:09AM

Critics of the president’s Pentagon cuts are missing the overriding problem with his military spending “plans.”

(Page 2 of 2)

Right now there are hundreds of satellites in orbit, most of them top-secret in capabilities and many so secret that their existence is not disclosed. In the unclassified world, we know about the MILSTAR satellites that our forces depend on for jam-resistant communications at all levels, from the lowliest Marine squad leader to the national command center. They are — as best we can make them — protected against quickly-evolving cyberwar attacks. So is the Wideband Global SATCOM constellation of satellites that provides high-capacity communications to deployed forces.

Nothing in the budget paper says we will replace these assets, all of which are aging out. A satellite of these types — and the classified ones — routinely cost $1 billion each, take years to develop, and cost hundreds of millions to launch. How are we going to “enhance” our space-based assets?  We aren’t, at least according to the Obama documents.

We won’t be able to afford satellites, ships, or aircraft in part because Obama is diverting the defense budget to his “green energy” plans to starve us of energy. Forget drilling: in his State of the Union address, Obama said: “And I’m proud to announce that the Department of Defense, the world’s largest consumer of energy, will make one of the largest commitments to clean energy in history — with the Navy purchasing enough capacity to power a quarter of a million homes a year.”

The Green Grifters will get money — millions? billions? — that could actually be spent on assets that kill people and break things. To sustain the Green Grifters, Obama is robbing our military of capabilities it needs.

Last, and not least, is the idea of “reversibility.”  Panetta’s budget outline says that it makes “… major adjustments in a way that best allows for their reversal or for regeneration of capabilities if future circumstances change.” Really?

Obama has terminated production of the F-22, C-17, DDG-1000, and much more. When a production line is shut down, it’s not kept in mothballs. It’s broken up, people are reassigned, and factories are either emptied and sold or filled with machinery and people to build other products. If you want to resume production of one of those systems, you’ll have to pay billions to do it, and spend the time it will take, which will be measured in five-year chunks.  Panetta’s easy “reversal or regeneration” is a fantasy.

Obama’s strategy and Pentagon budget will not produce the defense capabilities we need now or in the future. They may as well have been drafted by Paul McCartney and the late John Lennon:

Do, don’t you want me to love you
I’m coming down fast but I’m miles above you
Tell me, tell me, tell me, come on tell me the answer
You may be a lover but you ain’t no dancer.

Helter skelter, helter skelter
Helter skelter.

Obama may be a lover and a dancer, but he ain’t no strategist.

Page:   12

About the Author

Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. He is the author of several bestselling books including Inside the Asylum and In the Words of Our Enemies. You can follow him on Twitter @jedbabbin.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (124) |

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.30.12 @ 6:34AM

The slashing of military budgets explains the many photo ops of the Obamas with members of the military.

In Obama's world you don't have to spend money on a big military, only on big photo ops. That should scare our enemies when they observe we have good photographers and good cameras.

For the previous three years and beyond the Democrats have trashed the members of the military every chance they got.

From Dick Durbin to Harry Reid and many others in the Democratic leadership they couldn't wait to bad mouth the troops and accuse them of being losers and perhaps murderers and rapists.

Now it's an election year and their strategy is to keep their mouths shut and cut the Defense budget while making sure the photos go out to a gullible idiotic press.

This goes along with the Obama strategy of hope and change in the American political system. It's the change our enemies have been hoping for the last 40 years.

Jack in Wi.| 1.30.12 @ 7:19AM

The sooner we slash the military budget 50% the better. We don't need to be the policeman of the world. Our troops belong at home near their families not dying in places like Afganistan, Pakistan, and the Middle East. The Cold War has been over for more then 2 decades. When wars are over you bring the troops home and move on. Let Israel, the Arabs, Europe, Japan and Korea defend themselves and run their own countries. They are all rich and have been capable of doing it for decades. Obama's cuts are just a drop in the bucket of what has to happen if this country is ever going to fund what is important for this country's people. The military industrial complex and the Israeli Lobby can just go hell. Eisenhower, Taft and Ron Paul were right and the warmongers are wrong. Wars destroy even so called winning countries economically. ahey are also disasterous for the liberties of the people of theose countries. What part of being bankrupt don't you chicken hawks here understand? Defend the borders and shores of this country and let the world run itself. They don't need us to fight their wars.

Nemo| 1.30.12 @ 7:33AM

"the Israeli Lobby can just go hell" - Yes, if we let the JOOS be exterminated things will be much tidier. By the way, in your mental universe does "I like Eich" refer to Eisenhower or Eichmann?

Jack in Wi.| 1.30.12 @ 7:43AM

If the don't like the neighborhood tell them to move. They stole the place and bomb the neighbors at will. They have hundreds of atomic weapons and one of the most advanced military's in the world. One million Jews have left Israel and many more have 2 passports. How long are we supposed to baby sit for the Apartheid state? This welfare queen will just have to start paying for itself. This country is broke, and nobody but chicken hawks wants to fight another war for Israel.

David W| 1.30.12 @ 9:16AM

Nemo, It appears the answer would be Eichmann.

PolishKnight| 1.30.12 @ 9:52AM

DavidW, did you ever see the South Park episode where Cartman is battling the hippie threat? It's hilarious because it exposes leftist smugness: Whenever Cartman grabs a hippie and throws them in his basement, they yell at him "Eichmann!! Eichmann!" OK, in the context of Cartman it probably is accurate but it's hilarious because the Nazi and Jim Crow slur is thrown around by the left so casually that it's laughable to any mature person and independent. There's even a law called Godwin's law named for the phenomenon.

Jack's criticism of foreign aid did not single out Israel even if this was deliberate and cynical (not saying it is, but observing the statement was applied globally). I've read several newspaper articles asking the question: "Why does anti-semitism and anti-Israel sentiments exist?" and anyone who does NOT answer: "Because anyone who disagrees with us is stupid and bigoted!" is automatically labeled as such.

That kind of intellectual conformity reminds me of Stalinism but also, well, fascism. It's the hallmark of leftist behavior. But hey, what do I know what I'm talking about? I'm a stupid bigot after all...

Occam's Tool| 1.30.12 @ 8:09PM

PK--Jack singles out Israel all the time. Reading is Fundamental.

Quartermaster| 1.30.12 @ 7:59PM

Jack, there is only one word that fits your mindset - insanity.

What Obama, and the rest of the loony left wants is nothing more than destroy our ability to defend ourselves. I agree that we have engaged in things we ought not to engage, but you, and the rest of the insane, would throw the entire thing out.

Occam's Tool| 1.30.12 @ 8:12PM

QM, as you tell me, don't argue with Jack.

His brain is made of swiss cheese---he's from Wisconsin. He's still in mourning for the Pack. He's also an antisemitic idiot, but what the hell. (Let's put aside his comments on Israel for a moment. Do you recall his statement upon being told that Jews won FIVE Nobels Prizes in 2011?)

When there is a decent country like, say, the UK, (as an example, not reality) that can replace us militarily in a decent fashion then we may consider stepping down a bit. But there's NO ONE right now. Anarchy is in no one's interest, not even a 4-F coward who thinks America deserves to die, like Jack.

PolishKnight| 1.31.12 @ 9:46AM

OC, one of the things I despise about the left is their tendency to categorize those they oppose as "idiots" and then dehumanize them in order to ultimately justify a policy of exploitation and extermination. Then again, a lot of people overuse the term idiot. I prefer the term fool and even use it against myself when acting as such. Not only is it the right thing to do, but also the smart way to debate. By understanding that my opponents are acting based upon emotional rationalization or thoughtless kneejerks and using their intelligence as a tool to engage in self-deceit, I can use that knowledge against their argument and actions. Simply yelling at someone they're stupid or crazy (in the clinical sense) only causes them to bolster their beliefs that their opponents are closed minded to reason (which they often are.)

One way to test someone's capacity for reason is to give them valuable insight and advice even as you are their opponent and see if they can nibble at it. If you leave a pile of gold at my doorstep, I'm going to seriously consider cashing it. Here it is: When the term "anti-semite" and "holocaust" is tossed out for a slight criticism and people are afraid to speak up, that helps to bolster the case of their opponents. When you stifle open debate, whispers go on in the background.

I have several retorts to the arguments you make and would just love to make them, but it's not worth it in this political climate. Hell, I've already said too much.

Occam's Tool| 1.30.12 @ 8:13PM

"Militaries," Jack. Your illiteracy is painful, as painful as your thinking.

Tom Osterman| 1.30.12 @ 8:16AM

It may be that we can and should cut the defense budget for the reasons you cite, but those aren't the reasons Obama gives for cutting the budget. And the current bloat in the budget is NOT driven by decreased spending on defense. Obama is gutting the military, period.

PolishKnight| 1.30.12 @ 10:00AM

Obama may be making terrible cuts, but he is hardly "gutting" it. The left is dancing a jig because they are tricking many on the right in using their language when a series of small cuts are proposed. 400 billion over 10 years is 40 billion a year. That's a fraction of the budget. Simply cut a few bases around the world and that could be met easily. I think Reagan fell for the same trick, unfortunately. If he had proposed cuts in domestic spending ALONG with minor cuts in the military, he could have accomplished the same goals to end the USSR while denying the their claim he was a cut-taxes-and-spend president. There's tons of military projects that are redundant or boondoggles. Do we really need 4 new fighter jets that are basically the same, etc? In addition, many of these military contractors during the 80's were based in Northern Virginia, California, and Boston which are all firmly blue leaning areas. He basically funded leftism.

Tom Osterman| 1.30.12 @ 10:28AM

Just for the record, Reagan did try to cut domestic spending, but congressional Democrats stymied his efforts, routinely pronouncing his budget proposals "dead on arrival."
As for Obama's cuts, he hasn't made the case you're trying to make, that we can close down a few bases overseas with no ill effects. As the article makes clear, he's simply making claims that don't make sense. Finally, I doubt that the Dems will be waiting ten years at $40 billion s year to make more cuts in defense. They just cut defense to justify jacking up spending on their constituencies, when the additional spending swallows up any savings from defense several times over.

PolishKnight| 1.30.12 @ 10:34AM

My point regarding Reagan's cuts is that if he had proposed minor cuts to defense spending, he would have had more "street cred" for his proposed domestic cuts.

I agree Obama has made bad cuts and stated so from the beginning and I proposed base cuts. Sorry for the confusion. My point is that proper defense cuts ARE possible. Fundamentally, defense is just another government program.

I agree with you the left will spend any "savings" or tax increases they get several times over. As the stimulus shows, American federal government is now largely a waste of money.

Tom Osterman| 1.30.12 @ 11:42AM

Reagan didn't propose cuts in defense spending because defense had been severely cut during the Carter administration, again in the service of increased domestic spending. Reagan believed that the military was underfunded and needed to be restored.

"Providing for the common defense" is a core responsibility of the federal government. A lot of the domestic spending that liberals like to call "crucial," not so much.

PolishKnight| 1.30.12 @ 12:07PM

Tom, define "severe". I googled/wiki'd Carter defense cuts and found 6 billion in his first month in office. Granted, that was a lot of money back then but still a small cut compared to the overall budget.

And yes, providing for the common defense is a core responsibility of government but it's still government spending. The success of the left with gays in the military and more R&D in blue states is that eventually, it will be just another socialist government kickback scheme like, amazingly, police and teachers' unions (in the old days, those were conservative voting blocs!)

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 5:27PM

very deep threat analysis there!

Occam's Tool| 1.30.12 @ 8:14PM

He's gutting it, PK. The end result will be when our men die in the tens of thousands due to an attack on us that could have been prevented using a robust defense posture. But Jack and you will blame the Jooooooooooooooooooooos for that anyway.

PolishKnight| 1.31.12 @ 11:41AM

OT, such hyperbole! Tens of thousands? Really? You're describing a 9-11/Pearl Harbor scenario _OR_ a long drawn out affair similar to Vietnam/Iraq. Let's address the former: The countries I think that are ready to do something like that to us will probably have atomic weapons making all these sophisticated defenses useless since we couldn't retaliate anyway without risk of escalation and/or they wouldn't bother attacking us (heck, just send in more H1B's and student visas! :-)

The main problems our military has had is with IED's, sabotage, suicide bombers, etc. and fancy new jets, etc. won't deal with them. The best way to attack them would be with better intelligence.

Regarding the "Jooooooooooooooooooooooooos" hyperbolic emotionalism. It's getting tired. Or maybe not. Obama has been playing the race card for decades and shows no sign of stopping. Good for him and those who play that game.

richard ryan| 1.30.12 @ 8:38AM

Yes, there is waste in military spending. Yes, we should let Europe and Asia take more responsibility for their security. But military spending is not all bad. Military equipment, guns, armor, MREs, etc. are things that, for the most part, we STILL make in this country. We should dramatically increase spending on cybersecurity, space technology, and new weapons systems. Use the money we save by our security welfare to Europe. Regarding Israel, they are a great ally. They do get lots of our money and support, but they also make huge sacrifices of their own for defense and security. They are the only friend we have in a very dangerous neighborhood.

Teaghan| 1.30.12 @ 8:53AM

If we pull the troops out of Germany, there will be many german nationals out of jobs!

Jobe| 1.30.12 @ 10:39AM

I find myself in agreement with the theory of your comment, however, I think that you need to make allowances for the realities of our small and dangerous world. We need to choose our interventions MUCH more carefully. The adventure in Libya, for example, would be a joke if it weren't so foolish.
There are places that we need to be and places that we should leave alone. Isolationism, which I wish were an option, is not. Our military needs much of the money that obama is cutting. We will be much weakened by his cuts, cuts that liberals always try to make because of their ostrich like disbelief in the dangers of the world. obama, just as with his "stimulus", his bail outs, and his joining of the automobile business, is once again proving that he knows very little about anything except "neighborhood organizing", which is short hand for forceful imposition of socialism. We have an evil incompetent in the White House, and if he gets a second term, we will be too far to starboard, to correct our list.

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 5:24PM

we don't need troops then if the only purpose for them in Jack-World is to keep them "near" their families.

just get rid of the armed forces altogether.

Hal G. P. Colebatch| 1.30.12 @ 7:27AM

As I have pointed out previously, it gets even worse: America's allies who buy defence assets from the US will suffer and be weakened because smaller production-runs mean higher unit costs. Australia was going to buy up to 100 F-35 fighters, which with higher unit costs it will no longer be able to afford. These would have been available as an add-on to US strength in the event of a major war. That's just one item. Someone should do a survey of all the international effects these cuts will have.

Timothy L. Pennell| 1.30.12 @ 9:39AM

I believe that there are places where Cuts can be made. I don't believe we need any Bases in England. I don'think we need 35,000 Troops in South Korea. I don't think we need any Bases in Germany. I know that they're going through hard times. But, so are we. We need to set a Timetable, for these Countries to assume Responsibility for their own Defence.

That being said, this is not what this is all about. We have a Commander in Chief, who began his Political Career in the Living Room of a couple who BLEW UP Recruiting Stations, and BOMBED the Pentagon. Don't ever forget that. Don't ever forget WHO, and WHAT this man is.

He is a Marxist, and a Communist and a Muslim by Birth. He was raised in the Muslim Schools and Mosques of Indonesia, until the age of 11. He knelt on his Prayer Rug, facing Mecca, and prayed to his God of MURDER, 5 times a Day. "DEATH to America!" "DEAT to the Israel!"

He has surrounded himself, his entire life, with Communists / Marxists / Socialists / Maoists, and Anarchists. They are in positions of Great Power, in his Administration, as "UNCONFIRMED" Czars. He has them at the EPA, at the NLRB, and at the Interior Department. They run the FCC and the Education Departments. He has them all throughout his "Blacks Only" Justice Department, the U.N. and the State Department. And they all have one thing in Common.

A Lifelong HATRED for the U.S. MILITARY.

He seeks these cuts, not to make it "Leaner and Meaner". He seeks them to make it Wither on the Vine.

Al Adab| 1.30.12 @ 10:43AM

Your second paragraph is right on. It is the intent of "The Left" to emasculate the US military to bring "peace". They are wrong of course, but facts must never get in the way of Faith.

The Left will not study war and as a result has no concept of strategy or the purpose of war. The nation building concept (which Bush followed) is a flawed one. Wars are won by destroying the capacity of the enemy to resist. Anything else is beyond the purpose and capability of the military. In all of human history, only the occupation of Japan under MacArthur demonstrates a successful work. All others fail. Japan was a special case due to its culture and the methods used.

PolishKnight| 1.30.12 @ 1:37PM

I have an idea that should keep you guys up at night worrying: What happens when Obama and his buddies start to view the US military as something they LIKE? Keep in mind that during the 1960's, those same marxists hated the US government and were basically anarchists. Now, they love it as union dues paying bureaucrats!

After they get done infiltrating the military with gays and women and other preferential treatment schemes, they can use it as a marxist force projector both economically and militarily (they've already largely done this as I pointed out above.)

The left, to their credit, understands that the military's role in a post atomic age is at best to kick down third world dictators or to discourage other atomic powers from escalation (If China invades Taiwan or Japan and we're not there to do anything about it, they're going to do it. But if they had to go through a few US military bases, that would force a confrontation they're not ready for.) Essentially, most troops in that context are basically hostages.

Regarding successful occupations: When someone uses the phrase "in all of human history", that's a rather broad generalization. I can think of a few more that spring to mind: Roman occupation of France, Spain, and even Palestine. British colonization of the Americas and Australia. The Queen of England still controls most of Canada and Australia!

In any case, the military is at best a projection of US government authority and like the cheesy Star Wars franchise, the Emperor has already corrupted it from within: Government unions, teachers, lawyers, and bureaucrats are overwhelmingly leftist (not even Trotsky marxists. More like weak Stalinists.) The military largely is going to do what these leftists say eventually. The left has a point that the USSR's collapse was largely not due to Reagan but rather the fundamental flaws of marxist economics (although the same leftists who say that to discredit Reagan fail to see how that discredits their own ideology.)

Occam's Tool| 1.30.12 @ 8:20PM

German occupation, too. West German, that is.

SGT Baker (native Coloradoan)| 1.31.12 @ 1:15AM

And even then, Japan's will to resist was gone

SUBVET| 1.30.12 @ 1:46PM

I hope I live long enough to see Col. West lead this country back to greatness. This guy has the guts to do it.....he should be one of Newt's partners in the takeover for America.

Allen West-----"Get the Hell out of the United States of America.

http://www.theblaze.com/storie.....f-america/

Teaghan| 1.30.12 @ 5:52PM

His head is on the chopping block as the elitests try to gerrymander his district. The old republican guard don't like him because he stands with the Tea Party and calls a spade a spade. (no racism intended). He won't be around long and that's a damned shame.

macwell| 1.30.12 @ 4:30PM

Timothy?
that was well said and spot on. He is pandering to the grunts by bringing them home. The problem is what is he going to say when he has to tell them they must go back.
It is becoming obvious to us all that Obama isn't a big cheerleader for America. Regardless of anything else he's done, do we really want a president who doesn't like his own country?

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 5:28PM

the money in DoD is IN PERSONNEL.

but as you imply...there are other motives in play here.

Occam's Tool| 1.30.12 @ 8:19PM

TLP, how come we agree so much? Those are the exact cuts I would make!

Where your allies are unwilling to protect themselves, leave. The European Union has to deal with the fact that to enjoy its present, it sold its future to the Caliphate. Things are going to get rough, and we need our stuff were we can use it---for example, we could have rotated troops through Iraq more rapidly with less strain on them if we weren't tying down troops in Germany, England, and South Korea (where the populace has actually assaulted our troops).

Israel, on the other hand, cheerfully serves as a base for US Naval detachments.

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 9:06PM

You're sure about this?

Questionman| 1.31.12 @ 7:07AM

TLP, you've lost it! You are a racist!you are a disgusting pieces of crap! ignorant ahole and a disgrace to this country. You racist, bigoted liar! You want a White man as President! Just come oout and say it!
Mr. Obama is a Christian and his birth certificate has been vetted over and over again.
Ever notice that with Republicans...anyone left of Attila the Hun is a communist or socialist. Obama is moderate centrist but that scares the right.
Obama has had to contend with a new kind of insanity called the TEA Party and right-wing conspiracists. The other Presidents didn't have to deal with the venomous lies, and convolution and obfuscation of facts like Obama has had to endure.

it's about race as well as some other things including the party he supports and the church he went to. I think it is also due to all of the propaganda they buy from RWNJ's such as ACORN "voter fraud", he is Muslim, not born here or not born to two US citizens or not a "natural born citizen". There are undoubtedly racist. The pictures you post prove it. I once posted some of the racist pictures to a SH user here and he denied any of those pictures as racist. So, there are also a lot of racists here who don't know what it is to be racist.

Paul Ashley| 1.30.12 @ 7:30AM

"Obama may be a lover and a dancer, but he ain't no strategist."

I wouldn't be too sure about that. It al depends on what his objective is. If it to "fundamentally change" the country, then he's a brilliant strategist.

PCC| 1.30.12 @ 7:45AM

I have developed a high regard for Mr. Babbin's knowledge and analyses of defense issues.

Nevertheless, I'd dearly welcome just one article or even one statement from him that did not conclude that "more, more, more" is the only sensible position to take vis a vis our $670 billion annual defense budget.

Paul Kotik| 1.30.12 @ 10:27AM

Can you tell us exactly what the right budget is, then? And why?

Kindly spare us the stats comparing our defense budget with other countries'. Our position is unique.

Occam's Tool| 1.30.12 @ 8:23PM

The right budget lets us fight two and 1/2 wars with minimal US casualties in direct military confrontation with the "two war" aspect. It also would contain enough special forces to engage the irregulars of the half-war perspective.

That would be my guess, Paul.

Occam's Tool| 1.30.12 @ 8:23PM

By the way, Jed Babbin was an undersecretary of defense. Do you have a ballpark figure for this type of force, Mr. Babbin?

VonMisesJr| 1.30.12 @ 8:00AM

Both the Republican Establishment and the Democrat Socialist consider the TEA Party as the enemy. They have concluded that they do not need stealth bombers and fighter jets to take them out. They will probably rely on Obama's "Drone" strategy.

Melvin| 1.30.12 @ 8:23AM

Like it or not, this Country is extremely good when allowed to and that is, fighting wars. I am not Constitutionally astute enough to discern in whether or not our founding fathers somehow sensed this and installed mechanisms into our Constitution that prevented us from going buck wild on the battlefield.
I firmly believe that one of two things must be done by Congress that will allow our armed forced to be committed in hostilities wherever they may be. One is to publicly declare war, or publicly acknowledge that our forces are going to be utilized under the war powers act.
I believe allot of Ron Paul,but what I don't believe in is his complete philosophy of isolationism. There will always be bad men in the world, that envision themselves as the next Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Mao Tse Tung, or Pol Pot.
The Elites think that they can legislate or change the behavior of bullying. That is fine for the mommies of the world, but it is difficult if not impossible to negotiate with someone who has a burning desire to annihilate us and has the capability to do so.
There are many historians that if we and the leaders of Europe were to have been more proactive and aggressive with Adolph Hitler World War Two could have been contained or even stopped before it began, by letting the Germans take care of Herr Hitler. But the real problem was the US was in a deep state of isolationism, and the American people wanted nothing to do with what was happening in Europe.
I guess I am trying to make too many points at once here, but be it as it may isolationism only makes things worse in the long term and will eventually involve us as well.
The military needs to be by law kept at a certain level with reserves to draw on if a conflict should blow up in our faces.
This roller coaster of military spending only makes supporting a standing military more expensive.
Today slapping a rifle in a man's hands giving him three to four months of military training and you have a basic rifleman is as archaic as the bolt action rifle against a machine gun with a computerized scope.
Today it even takes years to train a man to be a competent rifle man and giving him half a chance of surviving on the battlefield.
We cannot train our men and women with sticks and then when the balloon goes up slap a million dollar piece of equipment in their hands and expect them to know how to use it properly.
Then in the next breath mommies of America are flooding into the street bemoaning the fact that too many of our children are being killed on the battlefield. But the fact is their not.
Our young men and women are so highly trained that less and less of them are dying on the battlefield. But they cannot be kept at that proficiency without aqueduct funding for training and retention.
There are those who post here on American Spectator of may accuse me of being Right Wing Extremist Loon. But the fact is I spent twenty years slogging through jungles and deserts as a rifleman, machine gunner, 81 motarman, Dragon missile gunner, and ultimately a Platoon Sergeant of an Marine Infantry Platoon so I think this gives me a little credence of telling the President that he doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to knowing what it takes to defend this Country, it's interests, and allies it is sworn to assist in time of conflict.
I guess I should be saying, "Don't take your anger out on the military, take it out on the elected and appointed fools that get us into bad situations."

Drunken Sailor| 1.30.12 @ 9:45AM

Great post Melvin. Semper Fi

Diogenes| 1.30.12 @ 9:50AM

First of all, Thank you for your dedicated service Sgt. Melvin. As for what a grunt knows about defending this country... was the reason I did My 4 and got out before the other 40 neanderthals in My combat unit got Me killed with their gungho ignorance and prehistoric understanding of a 21st century world.

Wisdom is the ability to see more than one's own viewpoint and using that knowledge to form more successful ideas. I make My case below. If you have any wisdom, please enlighten us. But just flamethrowing old school rhetoric at the still remaining problem is a waste of both of our time.

Melvin| 1.30.12 @ 10:43AM

Well, Brother Thank You for your comments. Every conflict that we have ever been in and including this Country's birth has been at the end of a barrel.
The face of war changes, but the battlefields remain the same. Every engagement changes in how we fight it and the equipment that we use.
In todays battlefield I seriously doubt that I could even figure out how to turn on a radio, hell I don't even know if they have the Dragon Missile any more.
But the one point that I should have put more emphasis on is that one minute we're going ninety miles and hour, and then we're coming to a screeching halt. I dunno maybe we needed to come to a screeching halt, the way this mess has been turning out.
There is allot that I am in-league with you on.
But if the President is going to send my sorry butt across to a foreign land don't try to figure out what we are going to do when we already are over there. We put trust in our elected leaders to have all that crap figured out before we step off the helicopter.

Diogenes| 1.30.12 @ 1:08PM

Amen to knowing what we are doing. Relying on fabricated intelligence and bulking up the #'s with a few extra zeros is just the WRONG thing to do.

I can see keeping American bases, the Navy works well for us now, and the Air Force could benefit from a Guam in the eastern Indian Ocean, but I am not seeing masses armies the Chosin Reservoir and John Wayne happening in America's future.

I DO think that using eminent domain to reserve a 15 mile wide strip along the Mexican border as a 24/7/365 weapons testing and live firing range could be considered National Defense, Homeland Security DEA, Customs AND Immigration policy with a stroke of a pen,

I would run the Natioanl Guard and Reserve units 2 week training there in rotations so EVERYbody gets a few serious targets to acquire. ~smirk~ Each of the Regular Army divisions should get to play for a 5 weeks a year there too. Good training for the NG and R folks, all except the Combat engineers. We don't need the drug cartels getting any ideas about buying surplus brige equipments and laying a bailey across the Rio Grande in one night!

Also, you remember the SR-71 Blackhawk spy planes... with the camera's in the nose that can read the fingerprints on your Johnson from 90,000 feet? They are all mothballed in Arizona and I bet we could set them up on posts 5 miles from the river, and wire them to live feed all activity on the border in the same room we control minigun equipped drones from.

I bet we can McGyver a whole lot of alreadypaidfor gear to keep the dope, dopes and dopers out. I should get 10% commission on the savings.

Occam's Tool| 1.30.12 @ 8:28PM

Actually, using the border to season our troops and to back up our border patrol is an interesting idea.

The idea is that our borders are OURS, not Mexico's.

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 5:34PM

"more successful"

self-serving tripe. glad you abandoned your brothers because you were so much brighter and informed with your worldly four years of service.

who the F are you kidding?

Maddox| 1.30.12 @ 11:16AM

Thank you Melvin, for your service and your post! Our military is darn good at fighting wars when the PC crowd isn't allowed to dictate the rules. If allowed to go after the target with full force, all conflicts would be short and incur fewer casualties rather than the unintended consequences brought about by liberal do- gooders. Informed Americans love our military.

Diogenes| 1.30.12 @ 1:25PM

I agree about letting the Army fight! But this 60 year repeated failure of repeating Vietnam era rules of engagement and the policy of a constant war economy is just WRONG>

I'd rather spend the same cash on the troops, their medical care and counseling so they can feel human after being so badly abused by Chairbound Rangers. The cost of just admitting to and caring for the acid trials, Agent Orange, Gulf War Syndrome, the excrutiating PTSD and the betrayal of our moral and honorable citizen soldiers, the volunteers who get conned into signing 5-13's so the Army is off the hook for STOP LOssing them into a Psychosis!

These men and women, mostly just big kids, serve with integrity, honor and commitment, sacrificing family, wives and children... even careers in defense of their REAL Patriotism, only to be wait listed in under staffed, under funded programs At cutrate, outdated and poorly equipped facilities.

WTF!! Did GWB REALLY think WE were gonna get out of this oil grab with a case of bandaids, a CD of the Lincoln Landing and a few medals? The SAME idea on 1/4 of the scale BANKRUPTED the Soviet Union!!! COst us less than a billion all told (TY Charlie Wilson)

Diogenes| 1.30.12 @ 1:31PM

Opps! Finishing the thought: "The cost of just admitting to and caring for the acid trials, Agent Orange, Gulf War Syndrome, the excrutiating PTSD and the betrayal of our moral and honorable citizen soldiers, the volunteers who get conned into signing 5-13's so the Army is off the hook for STOP LOssing them into a Psychosis, >> would actually be less than the cost ofthe fight to deprive them of thier earned respect and care.

Each and every one of our troops should be as respected as Russell Crowe in 'The Gladiator'. The end scene.. . " He is a soldier of ROME, Honor Him!" Instead we get Walter Reed. Not only that disgrace, but even more disgraceful... it was closed, not repaired. Same in Brooklyn and Bronx VA's... how many other with closed wards? Not refurbished (strike that!) FULLY EQUIPPED AND STAFFED WARDS.

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 5:37PM

tripe again.

some are noble warrior citizens. some are not. some join for Patriotic reasons...many do not.

and BS on respect.. the measure of the man makes the man...not...as noted in a different film...wearing a patch on one's sleeve.

Occam's Tool| 1.30.12 @ 8:29PM

Carnot: minor disagreement: if you served in a combat situation, the hospital wards need to be open to you.

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 9:09PM

no disagreement. and, in fact, one reason I forward for some to reconsider their position on pulling out of Germany.

Clint| 1.30.12 @ 12:40PM

" Nonintervention or non-interventionism is a foreign policy which holds that political rulers should avoid alliances with other nations, but still retain diplomacy, and avoid all wars not related to direct self-defense. This is based on the grounds that a state should not interfere in the internal politics of another state, based upon the principles of state sovereignty and self-determination. A similar phrase is "strategic independence".Historical examples of supporters of non-interventionism are US Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who both favored nonintervention in European Wars while maintaining free trade. Other proponents include United States Senator Robert Taft and United States Congressman Ron Paul.

Nonintervention is distinct from, and often confused with isolationism, the latter featuring economic nationalism (protectionism) and restrictive immigration. Proponents of non-interventionism distinguish their policies from isolationism through their advocacy of more open national relations, to include diplomacy and free trade."

The Tea Party Rebellion Is In Florida.

Occam's Tool| 1.30.12 @ 8:25PM

Semper Fi, Melvin, and thanks. I had the privilege of treating many gyrenes at Sepulveda VA in residency.

SUBVET| 1.30.12 @ 8:42PM

Tool you should see what they have done to Sepulveda you wouldn't reconize it....

POST American| 1.30.12 @ 8:46AM

Now, about that Bush Sr./ Clinton-Gingrich/
Bush Jr. ---'Bar-Rockefeller Obama'
CFR handover and RED China world TREASON
OP.

Pecos Pete| 1.30.12 @ 8:49AM

King O would prefer to buy our next generation of weapons from China.

King O will gut the military, given enough time. The November elections can not come soon enough.

Purp| 1.30.12 @ 9:10AM

So, since no one can touch the current crop of Stealth bombers or fighters - how many do we need anytime soon? Against whom? When?
This country is so powerful militarily, we could cut the defense budget in 1/2 and still remain far more powerful then anyone on the planet. But why do we need to be? We don't need to be invading countries, we should have learned that from Iraq. Smarter defense, not brute force defense is what we need. And, that doesn't cost what we spend now.

Moe Blotz| 1.30.12 @ 9:29AM

When the invading hordes come from the far east, youse can come to my house in New Juhsey where we can sit around singing "Kumbayah" and have some herb tea.

Diogenes| 1.30.12 @ 9:55AM

Where are they going to land, the Rocky Oregon Coast, Atlantic City? What are they going to row across the ocean in, Rubber rafts from WalMart?

Who ARE these 'hordes' exactly and what makes you think they can't just apply for a green card and a Visa card, buy your wife's car with it, take your job for 1/2 the wage and no benefits AND live in your foreclosed house wit the stroke of a pen?

WHY would they want to INVADE AMerica militarily?

PolishKnight| 1.30.12 @ 10:02AM

Indeed. I was just chuckling over this reading Gingrich's pandering to LaRaza. Why invade the west anymore in Panzers when they can walk across the borders, demand welfare benefits and preferential hiring quotas, and then vote for the annexation of the Sudetenland (or in our case, give California back to the Mexico) in a matter of a few decades?

Diogenes| 1.30.12 @ 1:33PM

California might not be such a loss, if we extradite the beach bunnies first and I will miss the fresh produce...

Melvin| 1.30.12 @ 11:07AM

Nah, they can't land in Oregon. I use to be from the coast. Seal Rock/Waldport area.
I'll call the Chinese Premier and ask them to invade Seattle instead.

Diogenes| 1.30.12 @ 1:34PM

LMAO @ knowing what I was TALKING about! I be they get a 'friendly' reception in Monterrey.

Moe Blotz| 1.30.12 @ 12:37PM

Oy Diogenes, the answer to your inquiries is "yes". Except your last line in such case I would say, "I dung know."

Diogenes| 1.30.12 @ 1:36PM

ROFLMFAO SO we can send all the military home on stand by and just... (wait for it) ... ban WalMat from selling pool toys in the Mid East Stores!!!!

I feel SOO much safer now!

Occam's Tool| 1.30.12 @ 8:32PM

They will come from the South, from the failed State there. They will do so after Obama destroys our defenses and our economy. They will strike with WMDs in various places, and they will terrorize us into surrender.

Large conventional armies are not necessary to cow a soft people.

Purp| 1.30.12 @ 1:46PM

Fear tactic, plain and simple

Al Adab| 1.30.12 @ 12:37PM

Can we all then count on your support for missle defense programs and projects then Purp?

Who do you perceive to be enemies of the U.S. my friend?

Purp| 1.30.12 @ 1:48PM

if technology is up to the job, yes.

Al Adab| 1.30.12 @ 2:40PM

Purp:
Great news, we can then fund the necessary research to make the missle defense system ever more effective. Too bad your folks have opposed such efforts to our detriment since the Nixon Administration.

Purp| 1.30.12 @ 4:49PM

I said "If" ... it is not currently. Research is one thing, production and deployment another. Tried it under GW Bush and was a dismal failure. Perfect it, and I'm all for it. R&D dollars are tiny compared to full scale deployment of something that doesn't work.

Al Adab| 1.30.12 @ 5:48PM

Purp:
I did say research. We might actually agree on this although I suspect you would never think a system "proven" enough to deploy.

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 5:41PM

gee purp...how many do we have and how many are operational at any given time? and, deep thinker that you are, you know that numbers don't mean anything out of strategic context; hence, Obama's fiat decision to prepare for one war rather than 1.5, 2...whatever.

you don't know crap about current military readiness so why highlight your ignorance by posting in a blog? pulling ransom numbers out of your rear quarter? etc....etc

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 5:42PM

random numbers....though it is ransom since we all know it is simply a legerdemains to fund bankrupting entitlement programs.

cicero| 1.30.12 @ 9:34AM

Seems I recall a speech given by either Bush2 or Rumsfeld on or abour Sept. 1, 2001, setting forth their plan for our military in the coming century. That plan was shelved by 9/11. It would be interesting to get a transcript of that, and compare it to where we are now. As I recall, they were suggesting a leaner military that relied more on high-tech weaponry and less on boots on the ground. Of course, that is different than shutting down our defense industry, and waiting for the next disaster to occur, and racing to catch up before we are overwhelmed.

Diogenes| 1.30.12 @ 10:10AM

It was an easy speech to give for BushII because he knew 9//11 was happening so no one would hold him accountable for his plan. Then AFTER a homeland Security Cahs dump, "OMB Watch reported that:
The Bush administration has weakened, opposed, or failed to initiate proposals to address security gaps that leave chemical and nuclear plants, hazardous material carriers, shipping ports, and drinking water facilities vulnerable to terrorist attacks, according to a new report that links these failures to Bush campaign funding from the very industries that oppose needed regulation.
According to the new Public Citizen report "Homeland Unsecured: The Bush Administration's Hostility to Regulation and Ties to Industry Leave America Vulnerable", the Bush administration "has abdicated its responsibility to protect the American homeland from the risk of potentially catastrophic terrorist attacks upon chemical plants, nuclear reactors, hazardous materials transport, seaports and water systems."
"In many cases, the administration and its Republican allies in Congress have either opposed security reforms or obstinately refused to act even though ready solutions are obvious," the report maintains.

For all the terrormongering, the REDest of hawks failed to comply with his own policy!! Why should we pay again for what we already paid for once and didn't get?

Al Adab| 1.30.12 @ 2:41PM

I understand cynical Diogenes, put paranoid raises to another level altogether.

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 5:45PM

not paranoid. stupid.

Buch was in office..what...8 mos when 9/11 happened? and Bush was not responsible for the firewalls in the intelligence community that played a leading role in events leading up to 9/11.

Diogenes| 1.30.12 @ 9:35AM

The ancient and obsolete Romanesque phalanx battle formations that look so good on the big screen, have been nothing but a devastating failure anywhere but on FLAT, empty unguarded terrain. The "Boots on the Ground" myth has dominated military spending as long as John McCain and the rest of the doddering dinosaurs, the habitual failure of American Military Strategies and Tactics will continue to be an dismal and abject FAILURE. Even Korea was a failure.

Vietnam was a ROUT! Afghanistan is a ROUT in progress because the REAL war is in Pakistan.(whom the Dinosaurs have been arming AND funding for decades to the tun of near 100 BILLION dollars!!!)

The hawks yell yahoo and yipee, Bin Laden is dead (a decade late but, hey, it's only good money after bad under the bridge) and claim 500 AL Quaida leaders (half of which are in Guantanamo and the Dinosaurs REFUSE to house them in US Prisons on US soil so Obama has to keep Gitmo Open).

10 dead and 60 wounded Americans (not counting the thousands scammed out of their benefits and medical care by slimeball psych discharges. In the Army’s separations manual it’s called Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5-13: “Separation Because of Personality Disorder.” It’s an alluring choice for a cash-strapped military because enacting it is quick and cheap. The Department of Veterans Affairs doesn’t have to provide medical care to soldiers dismissed with personality disorder. That’s because under Chapter 5-13, personality disorder is a pre-existing condition. The VA is only required to treat wounds sustained during service. http://psychoanalystsopposewar.....-benefits/)

The history of the US Military abusing it's troops is legendary, from acid tests in the 50's, Agent Orange, Gulf War syndrome, and now this abomination of disrespect to VOLUNTEERS who get STOP LOSSED into multiple tours, defrauding enlistees from day one. http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-3475_162-623492.html

Until The Army can prove the ability to care for, respect and maintain their most valuable asset , AMERICAN CITIZENS, no amount of hardware is going to help them win the 21st century 'software' wars.

The 300+ Al Quiada leaders that the DOD claims it has killed, how many were done in by massed battalions with tanks and troop drops from c-130's? LMAO How many were killed by a PFC with a laptop in a t-shirt ffrom a bunker north of Las Vegas, NV with a drone?

The hardware army is a relic of John McCain, the bad pilot turned hero. Imagine his shock of surviving a suicide attempt with broken arms and 5 year stay in the Hanoi Hilton!!! Sreves him right, and the first thing he does when using that Military hero fame to get elected into Congress: get caught taking bribes and pressuring investigatiors in his best buddies fraud case. THIS is the guy who just authored the NDAA Amendment to revoke the Constitution a half dozen different ways in one paragraph!!!!

The guy who most wants lucrative, long term contracts for out dated, unnecessary equipment for a military presence the world neither needs nor wants.

I say a 7% cut each budget year for the next 5 years. Use the savings to upgrade those 5-13 discharges and get the citizens the help they earned with their enlisted AND stop loss service!!!

Does ANY nation have a more advanced fighter than the F22? A bomber better than the B2?

Diogenes| 1.30.12 @ 9:44AM

Edit in: "10 dead and 60 wounded Americans for EVERY AL QUAIDA OPERATIVE droned to death!! Iraq is less peaceful now than before 9/11. Afghanistan is only producing 300% more heroin than ever (which funds the Taliban AND Al Quaida). The REDS scream about spend and waste recovery and infrastructure revitalization, about "The Governmant can't manage anyting right. Privatize! Privatize! (they don't mention 'Double the cost by adding profiteering for My little friends...')... but the

SGT Baker (native Coloradoan)| 1.31.12 @ 1:31AM

The 300+ Al Quiada leaders that the DOD claims it has killed, how many were done in by massed battalions with tanks and troop drops from c-130's? LMAO How many were killed by a PFC with a laptop in a t-shirt ffrom a bunker north of Las Vegas, NV with a drone?

Do you even have any ideea how that equipment works?
1. Not going to be a PFC
2. He won't be in Nevada

Last time I checked you had to be an NCO to be controlling that equipment, and they do not fly by satellite, you have to be in range of the unit itself.

And, what happens when we have this hightech, ultracool, EXTREMELY expensive technology and someone develops a good working battlefield EMP weapon? All the gear in the world is worthless if it wont turn on.

Stormy| 1.30.12 @ 10:14AM

When I heard that Obama had developed the defense strategy, I knew it was a joke. A defense strategy by a person whose only competency is community organizer? The joke is on us, people.

Diogenes| 1.30.12 @ 1:40PM

Think about it. An Uncle TOM from Chitown, Hot wife, don't do dope, community center volunteer... has GOT to be tough to fight the gangsta's and the homies with one hand for being a TOM... and with the other... being the only Nword in WHITEYVILLE Washington!!!

Barack has balls! He KNOWS how to protect hisseff

Paul Kotik| 1.30.12 @ 10:24AM

If we're going to associate Barack Obama's national security conception with a pop music song, I suggest the most descriptive is Warren Zevon's magnificent ditty "My S**t's F**ked Up".

L. Skywalker | 1.30.12 @ 10:28AM

This just in from Ron Paul Central:

"So what's the problem?"

Clint| 1.30.12 @ 12:43PM

This Just In From Israel Firster Central:

" Make Our Israel Tail Wag The American Big Dog."

Occam's Tool| 1.30.12 @ 8:36PM

Does every opposition to Paul come from an Israel firster, Clint? may be it's just someone who has realized what an utter worthless twat Paul has been as a Congressman. Your guy is going to be served a Sundae with CRUSHED NUTS on Tuesday. And I'm a gonna be laughing.

George S| 1.30.12 @ 10:47AM

Bottom Line: "I see 600 billion that could be spent buying votes by shoring up underfunded union pension funds; forgiving mortgages and school loans; investing in green energy; and buying ground support for the election. Instead, it is being wasted on defending this racist, evil country and their Jewish enablers."

Melvin| 1.30.12 @ 11:17AM

George, come on now just last week alone three green energy companies went bust who received stimulus money.
It is not there yet, but one day it will. Union Pension funds need shoring up. Please, until the corrupt union leaders stop stealing from the pension funds then not one dime of tax payer money, we're just feeding a monster with a bottomless pit. It will be OK for a while then the monster will be hungry again.
Forgive mortgages what about those who do pay their mortgages on time and without fail, and didn't buy more house than they could afford. Why should I have to pay for someone who bought a Mcmansion and I live in a small, but great yard, paid for house. My wife and I didn't take vacations, or buy new vehicles, our goal was getting that mortgage off our backs encase times went bad. Jeez, little did we know.
I know some people are really having a crappy time of it, but I also know many more people are following the rules and paying off their homes. Instead of going on cruises they can't afford.
This Jewish conspiracy is so post World War Two don't ya think?

Occam's Tool| 1.30.12 @ 8:38PM

Melvin--George is basically quoting an Obama supporter line---or a Paulbot line.

Maddox| 1.30.12 @ 11:18AM

^ ^ ^ ^ ^
T H I S !

Maddox| 1.30.12 @ 11:19AM

Wrong reply post. Sorry, I can't seem to find that "edit" button.

Maddox| 1.30.12 @ 11:20AM

^^^^This!

Diogenes| 1.30.12 @ 1:42PM

I hear you. Let's take all the super pac # (with a LOBBY tax!! @ 100%) and use it for birthcontrol in schools to keep the abortions clinics broke.

Let's use it to rebate (orgo to jail for noncompliance) bank fees from junk mortgages.

Maddox| 1.30.12 @ 11:21AM

I am trying to agree with George S. I guess homeland security has infected my computer.

Fab Fourth| 1.30.12 @ 12:39PM

I've got blistahs on my fingahs!!!!!

Felix| 1.30.12 @ 1:00PM

We used to plan for 3 regional conflicts at the same time. Then we planned for the ability to carry out 2 regional conflicts. Now we are planning for only the ability to fight 1 regional conflict. So what happens when an enemy destroys 1/2 of that capability?

Diogenes| 1.30.12 @ 1:44PM

Good point, but HOW will they do this? What point is a $1000 a month security system in a crime free subdivision?

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 5:50PM

and we all know that there are crime free subdivisions everywhere!

Purp| 1.30.12 @ 1:51PM

How many Iraqs or Libyas do you want to indulge in?
Why is it Republicans are all to ready to cut aid to the poor, elderly and disabled in THIS country, but not so to project force around the world? Not for our own defense, but for other countries?

Al Adab| 1.30.12 @ 2:37PM

Purp:
Because republicans are not necessarily Conservatives. Nation building is an error; a Wilsonian concept not a Conservative one.

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 5:52PM

don't cut aid! but don't use the force of the government to take away the fruits of my labors to pay for your largess. your just another fascist in sheep's clothing.

dcd| 1.30.12 @ 2:12PM

It's all going to be drones soon anyway. What's needed is more money for research and a bigger national industrial base. Million man standing armies and outdated, carrier centric fleets are not helping.

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 5:53PM

no it's not. that's just another Liberal fantasy.

GENE HAUBER| 1.30.12 @ 3:48PM

The military needs what SOCOM needs and what the SEALS need, and what anyone of our special forces needs..........safe defensible and quick and powerful INFIL, EXFIL, REPLENISHMENT, MEDEVACS AND CASEVAC. THAT'S WHAT OUR GROUND FORCED NEED. IF WE REALLY LOVE THEM, WE WILL GO
TO ANY LENGTH TO PROVIDE IT.

ANYTHING LESS IS SHAME ON US.

macwell| 1.30.12 @ 4:59PM

Yeah man, I'm with you Gene. Okay, you say you want a smarter leaner meaner military? Fine, get the government out of the way and allow for R&D for advanced military deployment. Just think, smarter bullets, smarter bombs, more realistic drones, less boots on the ground. As for the boots on the ground, we already have superheros, we should train many more. Covert opps, black opps, utilize any and all technology that keeps as many safe as possible.
Until we rid American politics of career politicians and revert to the model the founders gave us, we will be held captive by career politicians. These are the people who're in it for the money and the perks. They trade their votes like baseball cards, and care only for their next election.
No folks, our bravest you men and women will not have the recognition they deserve until we rid America of the thought of career/politics.

Bongo| 1.30.12 @ 7:48PM

How are you going to get the government out of the way of developing military technology, quite the paradox....

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 5:54PM

you're kidding right? there's a lot more than that involved.

Skippy| 1.30.12 @ 4:03PM

All you dipwads who believe robots and videogamers alone can defend America have spent way too much time on your wii machines.
Men with guns, planes and bombs will always trump electronic war toys.
A rifle doesn't become useless when the EMP detonates at 70k feet.
You guys remind me of the geniuses that said the F4 didn't need a gun.

dcd| 1.30.12 @ 4:28PM

No a rifle isn't disabled by an EMP (nor is a properly shielded/hardened drone). A soldier is permanantly disabled by a cheap bullet which is much easier to come by then an expensive and hard to find EMP device.
There will always be a place for skilled soldiers & special forces, but the drones are going to be the deciding factor in the next conflict. The country with the best tech and the most capacity to churn out drone ranks fast will win, men on the battle field will essentially be commiting suicide.

Drunken Sailor| 1.30.12 @ 4:45PM

Good Luck with that theory. The Navy already has systems that can track down and take out a drone.
http://www.hightech-edge.com/l.....ight/8500/

and yes, the traditional phalanx has been trains using target drones. Phalanxes can also be mounted on land.

dcd| 1.30.12 @ 5:09PM

Cool isn't it. Note that the navy's cutting edge concern is how to take out drones. A pretty good indicator of what they think is going to be the coming danger.

carnot| 1.30.12 @ 5:57PM

wrong.

but if you knew something about drones and warfare...not to mention cyberwar...you wouldn't make such silly assertions.

Drunken Sailor| 1.31.12 @ 9:01AM

As Carnot said. Wrong. The Navy's concern is taking out aircraft. They understand that if the system can track and kill something as small as a drone a aircraft is no problem. Not to mention the Phalanx system is considered the last line of defense, not the first, which would be aircraft manned by real people.

Kingofthenet| 1.30.12 @ 7:53PM

Talk about a misleading headline, I thought Obama was going to send out some people to carve up a Pregnant girl, and write Helter Skelter in blood on the wall to start a world wide race war.

albert constantine jr| 1.30.12 @ 9:42PM

Vincent Bugliosi thanks you for the reference to his earlier work (and where exactly is Roman Polanski, today?).

POST American| 1.30.12 @ 10:22PM

--------------------FUTURE SHOCK--------------------

FOX 'News' UPDATE sometime in 2015

"Well things are quieting down across
the country thanks to some 'helpful hands'
from across the Pacific. Thanks to MILLIONS
of RED Chinese personnel ---our power grid
is coming back --in some areas ----along with
food distribution. Monsanto's 'on board'
with some GM assistance of their own,
highlighting with their latest innovation
-----plasti-meat. "

President Obama's pleased
with the way he's handled the crisis.
But still, ---some people--- say living
child free is NOT exactly what they had
in mind when they joined 'Save the Earth'.
They also complain living with lifelong
cancer treatment ----even though provided
by the Rockefeller 'chair--'IT'--Abel' trust
-------------------------is, well, ---a drag,
even with enhanced porn hubs
and FREE 3D sports."

But never fear, Bill Gates from his Tientsin
world command center ----promises a whole
new generation of 'departure technology'
to 'ease' us onward----"

----SO everything OLD really is
NEW-remburg again!"
(giggles)

-------------------------USURY is EUGENICS. . .

albert constantine jr.| 1.31.12 @ 12:05AM

All right, POST, I’ve got your message, but I’ve set it to music. If you remember the tune of the Hit by both Skeeter Davis and Herman’s Hermits, grab the lyrics below and sing along:

Why do these fools go on chirping
Why do they write blogs online
Don’t they know it’s the end of the World
It started back with Mao in 49

Why does the sun go on shining
Its on the flag of Taiwan
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world
Ever since the Reds took Inchon

I wake up in the morning and I gargle
My mercury and fluoride in a cup
Made of part bisphenol
Which I can’t take at all
And I can’t guess at all which way is up

Why does the fed keep on loaning
Money the Chinese can’t print
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world
The Reds have got Fort Knox and the Mint

I wake up in the morning and go global
And the black helicopter won’t stop
And I can’t pay the loan
So there’s nothing I own
And that’s part of the treason op

Part usury part eugenics
Part sports TV part pay porn
Don’t they know it’s the end of the world
And we all will speak Chinese tomorrow morn

POST American| 1.31.12 @ 4:35AM

-------------------TRUTH OPENED---------------------

-----------USURY ----is------ABOMINATION--------
-The Word of GOD
---The Law of MOSES
-----The HOLY indignation of Christ himself

Everything OLD really is NEW-remburg AGAIN,
and SO much more. . .

-----REALLY

-----------CASE ABOUT TO BE REOPENED----------

-----------------------ETERNALLY-----------------------

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The American Spectator Foundation is the 501(c)(3) organization responsible for publishing The American Spectator magazine and training aspiring journalists who espouse traditional American values. Your contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Each donor receives a year-end summary of their giving for tax purposes.

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