War drum being beat louder than ever

[esmith]

What you seemingly can't quite get is the fact that our military made the adjustments and slipped into the counter-insurgency mode as the conflict progressed. Remember the Green Barets, for just one example? I used to bring them into my poly sci classes most semesters. Also, one of my two closest friends did two stints in Nam, serving as a medic, losing 1/3 of his unit, including his partner who had his head blown off, and spent some time in Cambodia along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. He came back so disgusted with us being there that even today he can't stand to talk about it.

That simply nuts because, first of all, our Constitution puts the military under civilian control and, secondly, such Rambo-style tactics just create more and more problems. Hell, we used B-52's, Agent Orange, Puff the Magic Dragon gunships, etc. And we lost 58,000 American men, so your response is thoroughly disgusting. How many more American and Vietnamese lives would be lost until you would feel that maybe that's enough? How many more American and Vietnamese families ripped apart? Where's your compassion for human life?

No, I haven't, and for reasons we've all too often have discussed.

You obviously don't remember the simple fact that Iran and Iraq fought an eight year war against each other, killing over 1 million people, mostly civilians. The Shi'i government was elected after we took control and held elections, and before that, Hussein ran the Baath Party, which was Sunni.

Fini-- I've had enough.

Guess we will have to agree to disagree.
The problem I see is you see things through a different filter than I do. You have lived and worked in a educational environment most of your life whereas I haven't. We live in different worlds and I will never be able to see your side of the argument.
So you have had enough, fine. Go back to the faculty lounge.

 

[tytlyf]

Guess we will have to agree to disagree.
The problem I see is you see things through a different filter than I do. You have lived and worked in a educational environment most of your life whereas I haven't. We live in different worlds and I will never be able to see your side of the argument.
So you have had enough, fine. Go back to the faculty lounge.

So you know more because you view military forums? I'd assume they are tossing around conservative media sources too as 'fact.'

 

[metis]

For what it's worth, I've studied basic military strategies for many decades, especially since I come from a military family. In my undergrad work, I took several courses on war, including one entitled "War In the Modern World". Since I ended up in anthropology as a profession, and since war has significant effect on people's, my studies on that continued. I've read from Clausewitz to Mao to Gandhi, though I certainly don't claim any expertise per se.

I write this not to pat myself on the back, but simply to show that one doesn't have to be in the military to know something about military strategies.

It's truly a shame that there are some people strut around like they're some sort of military genius just because they served, and I have no respect for those who are so willing to put Americans and foreigners in harm's way when it may not be necessary to do so.

Now, back to the "faulty lounge" where we actually study.

 

[esmith]

So you know more because you view military forums? I'd assume they are tossing around conservative media sources too as 'fact.'

No I read a lot. You might try it vice watching the boob tube

 

[esmith]

For what it's worth, I've studied basic military strategies for many decades, especially since I come from a military family. In my undergrad work, I took several courses on war, including one entitled "War In the Modern World". Since I ended up in anthropology as a profession, and since war has significant effect on people's, my studies on that continued. I've read from Clausewitz to Mao to Gandhi, though I certainly don't claim any expertise per se.

I write this not to pat myself on the back, but simply to show that one doesn't have to be in the military to know something about military strategies.

It's truly a shame that there are some people strut around like they're some sort of military genius just because they served, and I have no respect for those who are so willing to put Americans and foreigners in harm's way when it may not be necessary to do so.

Now, back to the "faulty lounge" where we actually study.

I do not see myself as an expert in military strategy, matter of fact not even close. What I rely on is the writings of those that have actually commanded troops in the field, after action reports and the in-depth review by others of those reports. No the military is not fallible, far from it. All one has to do is study various land and sea engagements (of course no major sea engagements after WWII) and review what others have written....hind sight is the great equalizer. Major military mistakes were made prior to and during many of our conflicts, some of these can be contributed to we-have-always done it this way to a host of other problems. One of the major problems that I see is that politicians want the military to accomplish something but either are not willing to accept the consequences of what happens by micro-managing or being swayed by a public that wasn't told why the military involvement is necessary. Yes there is civilian control of the US military, as there should be. However, that "control" can be overused or misdirected. I respect your opinion, but that does not mean I have to agree with every nuance of that opinion.

 

[tytlyf]

No I read a lot. You might try it vice watching the boob tube

Everyone does, you're no different. You're not more knowledgeable than other veterans. You don't have to serve to understand this stuff.

Ask Trump, he's never served (on purpose) and is an expert in all things military....even knows more than you and the generals. He also doesn't like POW's that get captured.

 

[esmith]

Everyone does, you're no different. You're not more knowledgeable than other veterans. You don't have to serve to understand this stuff.

Ask Trump, he's never served (on purpose) and is an expert in all things military....even knows more than you and the generals.

No everyone doesn't read about certain subjects. I suspect that you have read little or no non-fiction book on the subject of the military. You can respond by giving an example of those books, or as I suspect you will just ignore or change the subject.

 

[tytlyf]

No everyone doesn't read about certain subjects. I suspect that you have read little or no non-fiction book on the subject of the military. You can respond by giving an example of those books, or as I suspect you will just ignore or change the subject.

We'll agree to disagree that Trump is the most knowledgeable when it comes to the military.

 

[esmith]

We'll agree to disagree that Trump is the most knowledgeable when it comes to the military.

So you don't read books then?

 

[Wirey]

So you don't read books then?

I've read hundreds of history books, everything from Shirer to Speer to Foote to Ambrose to Ryan and back again. I just finished Max Hasting's "All Hell Let Loose". Trump is not a military guy, he's a business guy.

 

[tytlyf]

So you don't read books then?

I don't read books, I prefer the internet and watching TV.

Trump is not a military guy, he's a business guy.

Which is why he isn't fit for the presidency. He's treating the presidency like a CEO of a company. He's already more dangerous than GWB. Still got the same establishment figures pushing for war because it's good money. Republicans treat our military personnel like they're expendable.

 

[esmith]

I don't read books, I prefer the internet and watching TV.

Now I understand your problem.

 

[esmith]

I've read hundreds of history books, everything from Shirer to Speer to Foote to Ambrose to Ryan and back again. I just finished Max Hasting's "All Hell Let Loose". Trump is not a military guy, he's a business guy.

my post was directed at @tytlyf not you.