Proof that Russia and Iran Want War

[poncho]

Look How Close They Put Their Countries To Our Military Bases!

Proof!

Bad people are putting their countries closer and closer to our military bases:

See maps here . . . http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2015/03/proof-russia-iran-want-war-look-close-put-countries-military-bases.html

 

[Squire Robertsson]

I thought you posited the various US administrations as the war mongers.

 

[targus]

Poncho, should the US maintain any military bases outside of the country?

If so, what is the appropriate level?

If not, how do we protect our national interests?

 

[poncho]

I thought you posited the various US administrations as the war mongers.

They've done that themselves.

 

[poncho]

Poncho, should the US maintain any military bases outside of the country?

If so, what is the appropriate level?

If not, how do we protect our national interests?

Define "national interests".

 

[Crabtownboy]

Any person, leader or country that wants war is insane.

 

[targus]

Define "national interests".

Define it however you wish.

I am attempting to learn your opinion.

Should the US maintain any bases or troops outside of the country?

At what level?

 

[poncho]

Define it however you wish.

I am attempting to learn your opinion.

Should the US maintain any bases or troops outside of the country?

At what level?

No, you define it.

And I don't mean a cut and paste dictionary definition I mean your definition.

What does "national interest" mean to you?

I am attempting to ascertain what you believe these "national interests" that need to be defended are.

How can I give you my opinion on how many over seas military bases it takes to defend something you haven't precisely defined?

I don't have any idea of what you think these "national interests" that need defending are. Do you?

 

[targus]

Poncho, you started this discussion - which you now don't really seem to want to participate in.

I take it from your OP that you believe that the US has too many bases and too many troops overseas. Yes?

So my question to you is:

Should the US have military bases and troops overseas?

If so how many?

It's as simple as that.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

I believe our troops don't need to be stationed all over the world. I would like to see a serious drawdown of overseas troops and equipment.

 

[poncho]

Poncho, you started this discussion - which you now don't really seem to want to participate in.

I take it from your OP that you believe that the US has too many bases and too many troops overseas. Yes?

So my question to you is:

Should the US have military bases and troops overseas?

If so how many?

It's as simple as that.

No, it's not that simple. You asked me to give you an opinion based on how many military bases it takes to protect "national interests". See words in bold below.

Poncho, should the US maintain any military bases outside of the country?

If so, what is the appropriate level?

If not, how do we protect our national interests?

If I said to you "Targus, in your opinion how many 'doo dads' does it take to change a light bulb?"

Could you give me your opinion without knowing my definition of "doo dads"?

 

[targus]

No, it's not that simple. You asked me to give you an opinion based on how many military bases it takes to protect "national interests". See words in bold below.

Poncho, should the US maintain any military bases outside of the country?

If so, what is the appropriate level?

If not, how do we protect our national interests?

If I said to you "Targus, in your opinion how many 'doo dads' does it take to change a light bulb?"

Could you give me your opinion without knowing my definition of "doo dads"?

The third question was predicated on a negative response to the first question.

Let's start with the first question - we may not even get to the third question.

Others are probably wondering at this point as I am, "Why doesn't Poncho answer a simple question?"

 

[poncho]

The third question was predicated on a negative response to the first question.

Let's start with the first question - we may not even get to the third question.

Others are probably wondering at this point as I am, "Why doesn't Poncho answer a simple question?"

Then again maybe others are wondering why Targus won't define "national interests" seeing as how he's asking Poncho to give an opinion based on what Targus believes these "national interests" to be.

I don't have any idea of what you believe these "national interests" are and I'm beginning to suspect that you might not know either.

 

[targus]

Ok, have it your way.

We have an interest in protecting American citizens abroad, maintaining our rights to travel in international waters and airspace, protecting our fishing and oil rights within our national sea limits, honoring our treaties with other countries... just to name a few.

Your turn.

 

[Alcott]

Any person, leader or country that wants war is insane.

Maybe you can tell that to Joshua and David some day.

 

[poncho]

Ok, have it your way.

We have an interest in protecting American citizens abroad, maintaining our rights to travel in international waters and airspace, protecting our fishing and oil rights within our national sea limits, honoring our treaties with other countries... just to name a few.

Your turn.

Okay now we're getting somewhere and all that sounds good to.

My definition is a bit shorter. Whenever I hear the words "national interest" I think "special interests". Because the politicians in Washington DC careers depend on them to stay in power. Special interests rule in Washington.

It's their interests being protected. Not your's and mine.

If it takes that many military bases to protect the interests you named above then why doesn't every country have as many military bases around the world as we do?

 

[targus]

Okay now we're getting somewhere and all that sounds good to.

So you say, however you still haven't answered my simple question.

Should the US maintain any military bases outside of the country?

My definition is a bit shorter. Whenever I hear the words "national interest" I think "special interests". Because the politicians in Washington DC careers depend on them to stay in power. Special interests rule in Washington.

It's their interests being protected. Not your's and mine.

And what is your definition of national interest?

If it takes that many military bases to protect the interests you named above then why doesn't every country have as many military bases around the world as we do?

Then with that logic the US should have no more of a military presence than the country with the least?

Or equal to the second greatest presence?

What is the appropriate level?

 

[poncho]

So you say, however you still haven't answered my simple question.

Should the US maintain any military bases outside of the country?

Very few. The only reason we have so many military bases is to protect corporate interests abroad. Those aren't the same interests that you named. One look at our long history of military interventions make this quite evident to anyone that isn't totally blinded by Washington's fear mongering.

And what is your definition of national interest?

Same as your's more or less.

Then with that logic the US should have no more of a military presence than the country with the least?

Or equal to the second greatest presence?

Would you feel comfortable with Russia having military bases in Cuba, Mexico and Canada if Russia used the same justifications for having them there as you use for having so many of our military bases on Russia's border?

What is the appropriate level?

A lot less.