text:
U.S. military giant, diplomatic dwarf?
— Bernd Debusmann is a Reuters columnist. The opinions expressed are his own —
The U.S. armed forces, the world's most powerful, outnumber the country's diplomatic service and its major aid agency by a ratio of more than 180:1, vastly higher than in other Western democracies. Military giant, diplomatic dwarf?
The ratio applies to people in uniform (or pin-striped suits). In terms of money, the U.S. military towers just as tall. Roughly half of all military spending in the world is American. Even potential adversaries in a conventional war spend puny sums in comparison. The 2010 defense budget now before Congress totals $534 billion, not including funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. China's defense budget is $70 billion, Russia's around $50 billion.
Is the huge imbalance between the size of the U.S. armed forces and the civilian agencies that make up "soft power" — chiefly the foreign service and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) — destined to remain a permanent fixture in the political landscape?
The gap is not likely to shrink dramatically, despite a growing internal debate over how to balance the instruments of power. Ironically, the man who has provided some of the most memorable statistics illustrating the hard power-soft power gap is Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the only holdover from the cabinet of George W. Bush and President Barack Obama's most inspired choice.
One of Gates' favorite examples: The 6,600 foreign service professionals of the State Department equal the number of personnel of one (out of 11) aircraft carrier strike group.
The Pentagon spends slightly more on health care for the military than the State Department spends on looking after foreign affairs. And the United States employs more military musicians than professional diplomats.
The gap is meant to shrink, so that the United States can "renew its role as a leader in global development and diplomacy," in the words of the White House Office of Management and Budget. It lists $53.9 billion for the Department of State and other international programs in the 2010 budget, a tenth of the defense budget.
The Obama administration wants to double foreign assistance by 2015 and "significantly" increase the size of the foreign service and USAID, the foreign assistance agency which shrank from a high of about 15,000 during the Vietnam War to just over 1,100 now.
Building up "soft power" is a sign that Obama is turning away from the notion that diplomacy is largely a tool to convey threats – a notion popular among the neoconservatives who drove the Bush administration's policy – rather than to negotiate compromise and avert war instead of cleaning up the post-war ruins.
Adding people to civilian agencies that promote U.S. foreign policy interests may well be easier than adjusting the arsenal of the armed forces to the wars they are fighting now or are likely to fight in the near future.
Cutting the size of the military itself is not a subject of debate in Washington, not only because it is obvious that they are badly stretched by the two simultaneous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but also because few Americans, and even fewer American policymakers, doubt the wisdom of permanent military supremacy for the United States.
How that should be guaranteed is a perennial subject of debate, reignited this month by the defense budget Gates submitted. It calls for a 4 percent increase over the previous year, not insignificant in a country facing a $1.2 trillion deficit next year, and showed that the "military-industrial complex" the late Dwight Eisenhower warned about is alive and well.
In his presidential farewell address in 1961, General Eisenhower said the military establishment and a permanent arms industry combined to create a military-industrial complex whose "influence –economic, political, even spiritual– is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the federal government."
That influence is still felt, as shown by the reaction to Gates' decision to readjust the arsenal, moving more money to the tools of irregular warfare and scrapping high-ticket items originally designed to fight a Cold War enemy who no longer exists. Case in point: the F-22 jet fighter, an aircraft pilots describe as the Ferrari of the air. It costs $140 million apiece.
The Air Force originally wanted 381 of the planes, Gates wants to halt production at 187 already built or in the pipeline. The aircraft is being built by companies in 44 states. That translates into 88 senators and ensures broad political support in Congress as well as vivid complaints over job losses once production ends.
Before betting on the outcome of the congressional fight over big-ticket weapons systems, keep in mind an old Washington adage: "The president proposes, Congress disposes."
We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/
But that's the point. When you have a super giant military you don't need much diplomacy. Dishing out 4×4′s is a lot more fun than waving toothpicks. Also, we never heard of diplomacy-industrial complex haven't we?
Seriously, the US military since WW2 has gone way too big for national security. Because it is there as the sharp end of US industrial and trade. It also supplies allies with a lot of their military gears. In other words it's there to create jobs and fight for the corporations.
wars in the past centuries use to bring "money to the winner
Now , it is the opposit
I have lived a long time and see our country win the military battles and loose the diplomacy; starting with Viet Nam. We win the battles then go to the table and in the name of peace we put our solders in grave danger while diplomats argue over the shape of a table or some other nonsense.
My question is would hiring more diplomats make us smarter as a nation?
Or would it just make it more expensive to give up our freedom to world organizations?
I don't think we need more diplomats we need to find diplomats that are looking out for the best interest of the United States so our military doesn't have to do their job for them.
What? The US diplomacy is a dwarf? It's throwing its weight around like an 800 lbs gorilla. The bad thing is, it's just about as intelligent. It can't tell the fundamental policies from political expedience, and the latter from political correctness.
Make no mistakes. The US diplomacy is not directed from Foggy Bottom. Nor by Pentagon, or CIA, or any other institution. It is directed by, and implements the vision of whoever is the current White House resident. And he is a man. And men make mistakes. Even the greatest of them.
Take Reagan, the greatest President after WW2, if not of the whole XX century. Unfortunately he forgot that the enemy of your enemy is not necessarily your friend. He supported Islamic fundamentalists against USSR just to stick it up to the Commies. Wrong on both ends. It were not Afghanistan losses that brought about the collapse of Communism, but shortages of basic staples like meat, sugar, and vodka. But US support brought about the raise of Bin Laden and al Qaeda.
Carter's foreign policy was a complete blunder from the beginning to the end. The worst of it was the loss of Iran to the mad mullahs. Instead of chastising the Shah for not upholding human rights to the top Western standards, and withholding support for that noble but stupid reason, he should have provided all necessary assistance, and ensure that the airplane with Khomeini on board would never land in Tehran (or, for that matter, anywhere) after it took off in France. Now we have a problem of Iranian nukes, and it's hard to see BHO to succeed at that.
Bush Sr. lost a great opportunity in Iraq. If he let Schwarzkopf to press it all the way, then the UN would pick up rebuilding Iraq after Saddam was gone. But he stopped short. Bush Jr. had to finish the job – that time without explicit UN blessing, so he could not just get out of defeated Iraq and leave it to UN. We all know the results were not as stellar as desired.
Clinton's involvement in former Yugoslavia had a lot of unforeseen and undesired consequences. The worst of all was alienating Russia. It was total disregard to Russian objections that made Moscow to turn away from their earlier course aiming at alliance with the West. And the total damage of this remains to be counted.
Throwing more resources at the diplomacy will not help. The State Dept. only implements Presidential policies. It's the President that must tell fundamental American interests (security and stability the chief of them) from politically correct dish of the day.
And re-distributing defense budget towards diplomacy and whatever else is not a solution. The people who don't want to feed their own army will have to feed foreign army.
The saddest thing about all this is we still have wide open borders and essentially zero security there despite the daily drug war shootouts 10 miles away.
As one who spent 6 years in the U. S. Navy, I, too, wonder what it's all for. Yes, we could probably defeat any other nation's conventional forces with relative ease, but we studiously avoid those kind of fights. Take the Somali pirate situation for instance. That's a clear threat to world trade. One would think we could eliminate them in a matter of days, but do we? No. We hear that's not what our navy does best. Which leads me to ask: just what does it do? In my seafaring days all we did was sail here and there, stop at exotic ports, and burn up a lot of fuel to no real purpose. They called it training. Training for what? Who are we going to have a sea battle with? The Chinese? The Russians? Don't make me laugh.
I came away from my military experience with the firm conviction that it was little more than a jobs program for many small town and inner city kids. Now, I will admit that post-invasion Iraq and the current situation in Afghanistan are hard duty for the boots on the ground, but even they are a very small fraction of the total American forces. Sadly, I have a gut feeling that all of this fighting in the Islamic world will not end well for us. It will be diplomacy that turns things around.
Defense? from what? the astonishing failure to detect 9/11 is the greatest example of our societal preoccupation with technology, and lack of the most basic intelligence which can only be gathered on-the-ground from human relationships, such as diplomacy. Intelligent use of technology comes from the intelligent gathering of information and assessment. Instead we seem to prefer technology to intelligence, sending in a wave of technology first and getting killed, rather than finding out if there really and truly are "weapons of mass destruction". Is there an historical trend? – anyone remember the "agent orange" technology of Vietnam? If we diverted just half of our military technology spending to schools, education, global health,safe food sources, and environmentally responsible industry both at home and helping other countries, its a good chance the political screwballs of the world would never get traction, and we would be more welcomed than disliked. As for corporate complicity even further back in history, when Coca-Cola couldn't make Coke in Nazi Germany by US law, it invented Fanta, and continued to repatriate profits. The historical facts appear to support Eisenhower's statement, a path we perhaps can no longer afford financially or morally.
Example of lunatic technology – hundreds if not thousands enter the USA illegally and daily from Mexico and the Caribbean, but God help the businessman who provides us with business and jobs. Just saw a businessmen fully vetted by Homeland, with a visa, employing dozens of Americans in valuable green-tech jobs, go through a facial recognition picture-taking, and full fingerprint at the airport in Canada, all while carrying an USA installed RFID tag in his passport. The ONLY question asked was, "Where are you going"!! Are we stupid, deranged or just mind bent on destroying any good will we have out there? This technical self-pleasuring (politely described)went on with everyone, and apparently occurs every time with every person. It was damn embarrassing, and frankly makes me ashamed of being American. Gosh we really are stupid.
One of the worst parts of this situation, is that, despite veterans certainly being deserving of stable employment after their tours, they should not get so much of an advantage when applying for Foreign Service or USAID positions. This basically makes the foreign service a diplomatic extension of the military, since it is predominately filled with vets. This same argument holds sway for any federal government job.
For someone like myself, who has significant professional and academic experience, to be passed over, since I don't have enough "points" ie the massive bonus given to veterans, is absolutely ridiculous. Don't bother going to school for the Foreign Service, join the military.
Mr. Friedham, we must remember that when we were attacked at Pearl Harbor we were spending most of the federal budget on peaceful endeavor; in fact we were at the table working out our differences with the Japanese. We were showing them our peaceful intent and the political screwballs in Tokyo decided that it was in their best interest to kill Americans.
I foresee that the olive branch that we are offering the dictators of the world will yet be viewed as a sign of yellow rather than a sign that we are reasonable. I am sure that is why the Somali pirates attacked a US ship for the first time in years and they continue now.
Craig, that's under the assumption that we didn't know Pearl Harbor was coming. With the economy in shambles you can rest assured in knowing that we wanted every excuse to get into World War 2, just the same as we did in World War 1. Knowing the Japanese are coming and having a battle with them off their coast isn't going to spark American approval of a war declaration, only letting them attack here on our soil would anger us enough to be willing to shed as much of our blood as we did.
Craig you have completely digested and regurgitated U.S. propaganda. The U.S. in order to avoid a banking collapse on the 1920s reversed a ban on oil exports to Japan. We sold Japan as much oil as she could consume caring not how her empire proliferated. Expecting Japan to give up it's hegemony she spent 15 years building was unreasonable. We cut off oil and they attacked us. This was predictable.
There can only be two reasons why 4% of the worlds population would need to spend as much as the rest of the world combined for armed forces. Either we are maintaining an empire or we fear the entire world. Or both. Any way you slice it our dependence on foreign goods and war time military expenditures has bankrupted this nation.
This is the inevitable path of Empires.
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Wow, some people are digesting and regurgitating some propaganda all right. It would be funny if it wasn't sad what people will believe. I hear Americans eat babies, it's true I saw it on the internets…..I fail to understand how people honest and truly believe some of this crap but then again, I think how stupid the average person is, and half of them are dumber, so that explains a lot. Oh well, I think my babies are done and I need to go see what the media wants me to think. I mean unless it's on a conspiracy website or some anti American screed we all know it's lies. No one but Americans lie or have nefarious motives. I mean hell those Japanese were just wonderful guests in most Asian nations they conquered. Hell those Europeans always treated the indigenous people so well while giving them a fair share of the natural resources they took. I could go on but that's just American propaganda again.
Mr. Blake said it best. It's amazing that we have reached a point in history where a nations own citizens feel apologetic for there success and military power. Does anyone really believe that those other countries are spending less money on defense because they value diplomacy above military might? I doubt it. I doubt China or Russia decided to cut their defense budget in half so they could invest more in diplomacy. Those countries spend alot less the US, but even what they do spend is at the expense of the quality of life of its citizens. I guess some just believe that diplomacy just sounds more civilized than military power. However, this country, by any criteria, is the most successful civilization in history. Diplomacy has its place. But with the most powerful and best equipped military the world has ever seen (how is that for propaganda?), much of our diplomacy is insinuated.
Think of it this way.
Diplomacy is America's political currency. But their military is their political gold reserve.
The ability for America to negotiate with rivals or third party nations depends ultimately on their military strength.
After all, the point of negotiation is to avoid the consequences of failing to reach compromise.
If America has no means of enforcing military demands by force, then why would anyone bother to negotiate with them in the first place?
Michael, are you saying that Mr. Obama is offering diplomacy to despots around the world so they will attack us so we will spill blood to get us out of this economic mess we are in?
Bernd emphasizes the ratio of American military spending to American diplomacy, but then compares the raw dollar amount of American spending to other countries. I'd be very interested to know the ratio of miliatary : diplomacy of Russia and China before busting the US's chops.
Well Russian certainly rolled out the diplomatic approach in Georgia..oops I forgot this space reserved for America bashing only. Sorry about that, back to your regularly scheduled program of anti Americanism.
Edward imagine if Russia responded to Georgia the way we responded to Iraq, imagine if they essentially blew up the country and killed 120,000 Georgian civilians. What would your reaction be?
Craig, no i'm saying the opposite. Like i said Obama and Bush are the exact same thing and no one would consider Bush a beacpm of diplomacy. Obama isn't being diplomatic, if he were he'd be pulling out of Iraq quicker and by "pulling out" it would mean pulling out. Only in the U.S. can we consider leaving 50,000 troops in Iraq after the war as pulling out. The nation-building continues and is being enhanced under Obama's guidance.
Like I said all America bashing all the time. If I didn't find people naivete entertaining I'd probably get mad. Yes the Russians learned from our mistakes, just go in and destroy the military, spread rumors of civilian massacres, get national pride up, continue to maintain sphere of influence and then get out without the messy clean up.
Don't let me or facts distract you, the US is the source of all evil, I read it on the internet. I mean that whole invasion was America's fault to begin with. The economic downturn is America's fault, swine flu…America, if you have erectile disfunction issues blame America. I guess it makes it easy when you don't need to think.
Edward I'm now 100% certain you aren't a libertarian, I've never in my life heard one who's so quick to apologize, make excuses for, deflect, deny on behalf of the Republican/Democratic machine.
You say we're ignoring facts, yet you have no response for the FACTS I and the other poster brought up about us wanting into WW2. It seems pretty obvious to me, we did everything we could to antagonize the Japanese, we were in economic turmoil, best thing for us was a large scale war.
Maybe you votedf or Barr but that doesn't automatically make you a libertarian, McCain was probably too much of a liberal for you and I will at least commend you for that.
Again where am I defending anything? I guess not joining in the knee jerk America is always wrong camp makes me an apologist. That of course by your logic makes you an America hater, not Democratic/Republican hating, but America hater. Isn't it nice when people warp what you are saying to fit into their worldview. Point out where I say America is right for what it does? All I do is show how skewed your "facts" are and all you can do is attack me. Much like when faces with reality all you do is continue to bash America.
I'm sure you also believe that the CIA arranged 9/11 in order for the government to steal our liberties. While it's clear that the attacks were a godsend to the neocons to run roughshod over our freedoms that doesn't mean we did it. Same as WWII, just because it jump started our economy and catapulted us to superpower status doesn't necessarily mean we wanted it. The logic fallacies are the same, but again why let logic, reason or facts interfere with your self loathing liberal dogma?
You must be right America is a uniquely evil nation composed of greedy fascists and gullible drones, excepting you of course what with your righteous hatred of all things American. I'm off to lunch on babies and plot how to rip off the rest of the world for my corporate masters. I await your bitter self hating response.
[...] in Government, Obama administration at 10:19 am by LeisureGuy Bernd Debusmann blogs at Reuters: The U.S. armed forces, the world's most powerful, outnumber the country's diplomatic service [...]
enough of this ww2 bs. its already over and we won. as the most powerful nation in the world we have an obligation to protect ourselves from danger. but for the most part the threat is over. soon enough we will be finnished with iraq and we can move on. millitary wepions like the f22 are esential for keeping other superpowers from geting too power hungry. are we power hungry? nope were full, we already have the power now its just a matter of keeping it.
Mr. Ham,
It's pointless to try to convince people of the reality of our situation. You simply cannot alter the thought process of those who rely on the controlled media for information and fail to look at history's repeated warnings or the real evidence that is all around us. The only way for most of the sleeping to awake is by events that will cause an awakening. We haven't reached that point yet, even though those who are intelligent enough to do their own research can and will see it. It's like putting together a puzzle, you have to do the work…frankly very few are willing to even open the box.
There is plenty of evidence you can cite to show that our elected leaders have (for a long time now) no interest in doing what is best for the people of our country. If you look at history, there has never been a government, NEVER EVER who has not succumb to the temptation of power and corruption. America is a great country, but not for our current policies or our leaders. It is a great country because of who built it and put our Constitutional laws in place to protect us from the very same kinds of powers that now want to dismantle it. Our founders lived through tyranny, and they knew what would happen if/when the government became too powerful that the people no longer had a voice.
For example: Americans, if really made aware of where the "bailout money" was going (because the FED has enshrouded it in secrecy) would probably be in their own "shock and awe". Would it be enough for people to change their view? Probably not. We've become so apathetic. Until everyone is caged up like an animal, no one will care…and history will again have repeated itself.
Best of luck,
-The Red Pill
and blake. im thrilled that your such a pessimist but why dont you start using arguments that make sence. you seem to think every american has been brainwashed by the media to eat babys at worship the devil. well it isint. you sound like a godamned anarcist and your childish aditude is only making the social situation in this country worse.
sorry blake, i meant ham. but i cant say i support either of you.
Edward I just dunno what else to say, you're incapable of making the distinction between the american people and the american government. Am I an american government hater? Yes, yes of course, they're slowly destroying the country that I love. This government does nothing in line with what we want so when people point out it's blatant and obvious flaws you should be more quick to agree with them rather than point the finger at some other gov't or give some reason for our gov'ts blatantly stupid policy stances.
Are our people evil? No of course not, is our government? Yes, no doubt about it. Edward as time goes on you're going to have less and less people who are quick to defend and deflect in favor of this gov't, and you'll be stuck justifying your perspective by calling all those who question this gov't and it's tactics un-American.
You can not fight terrorism without some military might. This fight could just as easily move to Pakistan and other regions. Terrorists do not "negotiate" per se. Their view is more "My way or the highway." To root them out requires ground forces and smart weapons that can respond immediately to the tactical situation that is prevalent now. Not ten minutes from now.
Some countries can not afford or will not support this mission for political reasons. Therefore, we must fight this battle alone if necessary. Other countries will reap the benefits but not be part of the solution so alone we shall go. The fight is necessary and will go on until done or until some "spineless jellyfish" decides we can not keep going. The latter is the part that chaps my hide. If I had a loved one lost in this fight, and we pull out prior to it really being done, it will all be for nought.
As an veteran, I have witnessed first hand the half coked approach to solving problems. All you do is inflame the terrorists and increase their propaganda/recruiting efforts.
I am equally as exasperated as you, where have I defended the governments actions? All I do is point out that no other country seems to have any nefarious agendas. Only American and Israel have anything to answer for, how is that in any way fair and how does it advance any dialogue other than America is bad and not to be trusted. The inference is that other countries are moral and just and only do bad things because of the US and Israel or don't matter because the US and Israel are so much more evil.
I don't see how you don't get that unflinching criticism without perspective is equally as bad as unwavering defense.
If you want to "debate" with people who agree with you and don't want to bring any real world perspective, be my guest but don't try to brand me a defender of the American government simply because I know all governments are basically as corrupt and grasping as their power allows. Do you really think if the US wasn't doing it's dirty tricks in these 3rd world nations, some other greater power would not be there fueling the corruption and stealing the resources with just as much gusto?
It's all well and good to hold ourselves to high standards, but to think that somehow the world wouldn't be as screwed up if America didn't interfere is pollyannaish and pointless.
I know how corrupt our system is, how the two parties just represent different special interests at the expense of the middle class. I also know that the rest of the world's governments are just a corrupt and greedy and would happily step into the vacuum left if the US stopped it's unjust actions. So don't tell me I support the system, I just know that America isn't the only offender. If that is defense in your narrow view, so be it. It's impossible to judge ethics in the real world by normative standards.
I understand what you're saying I do, trust me I don't want our gov't to be terrible at everything. More military musicians than diplomats, more border security in other countries than ours, the IRS can't account for 30% of what they take in, costs them 3 cents to make a penny, etc, no efficiency or common sense.
I just tend to not bring up other gov'ts cuz really I'm not overly concerned with them, if we take care of what we take care of then our country will be safe and free.
*if we take care of what we need to take care of*, man typos all over with me lol
I think that the real core culminating in the events of the last eight years is competely obfuscated and hidden behind wrong ideals, policies, fears and ego.
The requirement for US534 billion spending on an apparently ineffective military service (not one war won and not one objective completed and held since WW11) seems to be based on the same ideals of the last British empire under Victoria.
Surely in such an over-crowded planet the apportionment of even half the 2010 defense budget coupled with the true humane professionals (aka not employed by government, military or religious organisations) would have a greater and longer lasting effect for Earth.
I would dare to venture that such an outflow of intelligence, humanity, aid and a willingness to listen would go a long way to helping start a return to what USA citizens once aspired to be.
Today's terrorists were yesterday's guerillas nee freedom fighters. All that has happened is that over the preceeding fifty years the consistent and pervasive expansion of 'Americanism' across the world using political, economic and military means has raised non-american ire in the form of annoyance, anger and frustration with the irreverance shown to non-USA cultures and beliefs. Ironically, Victoria's empire preceeded and paved the way by spreading English as the global language.
500 F22 fighter and 50 aircraft carrier strike groups cannot defeat a civillian clothed force that carries out strikes against a well identified military force.
Transferring funds from hard asssets to create non-human devices of war (being called irregular warfare) is just as absurd. The development of a purely remote mechanised armed service will remove the last vestiges of humanity left in armed conflict and will just underpin and accelerate the threat.
It seems that the proposed 2010 budget is just perpetuating the malnourished thinking of the last thirty years of USA government.
How come other countries' military budgets aren't so overextended and yet they survive, whatever their political regime?
Eisenhower said it already in January 1961 upon leaving his Oval Office – and he certainly knew, because he helped its creation – it's the military-industrial complex, the big non-transparent black box which sucks money (though also a big corporate government employer…oh, how leftist!) which keeps striving for survival whatever it takes.
Actually, just a supersized organism like many other trying to survive and keep its host organism – the federal budget maze – alive.
"500 F22 fighter and 50 aircraft carrier strike groups cannot defeat a civillian clothed force that carries out strikes against a well identified military force." – Posted by Alan Murgatroyd
This might happen only for one reason – namely, when the military is burdened by concerns other than completing their purely military mission. Particularly – avoidance of collateral damage, respect to local sensitivities, and doing tasks not common for the military such as building schools and hospitals in enemy territory.
Worse yet, these things surely happen when political correctness prevails over the military concerns. Things like proportionality of response, civil rights of enemy combatants, whatnot. And all the do-gooders threatening to sue officers in ICC and whatever other kangaroo courts for violation of whatever civil rights.
The US Army potentially can pacify Afghanistan in a matter of days. However it would take the tools like carpet bombing and napalm. Scorched earth tactics. The problem is, there will be no Afghan people remaining to enjoy peace and quiet. This is the price not even Bush thought appropriate, let alone BHO. But lesser tools will not work. Same with Iraq. If the troops could call for a massive air or heavy artillery strike at any suspected insurgent target, and would shoot at any moving object within zones of exclusion set wherever deemed necessary, Iraq would have been a quiet place – as quiet as a cemetery. The body count of locals though would have been much higher – many times over what it is.
What makes Afghani and Iraqi lives more valuable than German lives in Dresden and Japanese in Hiroshima? Apparently only the mindset of current American leadership. If FDR/Truman were as sensitive, the victory would've come about much later, if ever. Well, not in Europe, but only because Stalin didn't give a [insert proper expletive here] to such sensitivities, and he'd won the war with or without Allied involvement anyway. But the Japanese would have then a fighting chance to keep their imperial regime unchanged.
And one more thing. While even Hitler had the decency to admit defeat in the end, the likes of Taleban and Hamas don't. For them, the more the civilians of their own side suffer the better – that would raise louder outcry among the Western liberals and eventually stop punishing military actions before the military accomplishes their stated mission.
Ah, the tragic cycle of the anti-war lobby.
All wars continue, until one side runs out of willpower. The war is lost, the moment Americans start to claim so.
If America has a reputation for losing wars, it is not the military that is to blame. It is the lack of political will held by her people.
People live comfortably in the land of the free. So confortable, that many no longer feel the need to care about the suffering of people outside their nation.
They can't bear the thought that their military is killing people. So they decide to condemn entire nations to slavery and despotism, rather then have blood on their hands.
Just like they abandoned Saigon. And like they want to abandon Iraq and Afganistan.
If you are not willing to kill in order to keep other people free, then you do not deserve the freedom that other people fought to give you.
And yet these same people decry the ineffectiveness of the American military. How could it be that the greatest, most expensive military in the world is beaten by some gurillias in the mist?
The answer? Look in a mirror. The troops didn't lose the war. You did, when you called for the troops to pull out.
"If America has no means of enforcing military demands by force, then why would anyone bother to negotiate with them in the first place?"
I beleive that until now it was interesting for most countries to access the US market, and that was the #1 reason making US diplomacy sucessfull. Besides it is an incredibly efficient strategy to obtain cooperation in way you'd never achieve with any military option.
With the crisis we may see countries looking at Asia's diplomacy like the real superpower in the near future, whatever army anyone may have.
The $534 billion spent on defense will be paid by american tax payers (around $1780/citizen), imagine what could be done for the country with a bit of that yearly jackpot.
Most dangerous opponents are China and Russia, their defense budget totals $120 billion, let's get crazy and add Iran's and North Korea budget as well… vs 534 billion there's still something I dont understand
It would seem that the dynamic trio of Anon, Anonymouse and Edward M. Blake is on their "extend the war mission" on this column too!
They obviously can't see what many people can, that the War which started out with the mission to eradicate Al Quaeda, (which was thwarted by the same government that initiated it, just as the more than capable US military was closing in on their target), then morphed into Regime Change in Iraq on the pretext of non-existent WMD's (and the WMD's that had been in Madass's possession were largely supplied by the US to support the Iraqi's in the Iraq vs Iran war), which has now morphed into bringing "democracy" to the unfortunate inhabitants of Afghanistan and saving them from their Talebanised medieval society (who if they did get a vote would most likely vote for their own tribal group anyway), which it now seems there is now an attempt to also include womens' rights as an issue in order to popularise the long-running campaign in Afghanistan in the minds of the Fox news consumer in the states, in the war that has also been peppered with periods of claimed poppy eradication (which curiously seems to have had the opposite effect) and other periods of re-building (which doesn't seem to have had any effect at all, other than making money disappear).
The rather pathetic claims that anyone who questions the tactics and methods being used in this seeming never-ending war with "foggy" at best constantly shifting goals is a simpleton who is simply Anti-America and Anti-War is a rather bald, obvious and stupid claim coming from a group of morons whose one intention is to fool the American public to attack Iran under the pretext that we will all be better off if Iran does not get a nuclear bomb (which may or may not be the same as the WMD claim prior to Iraq).
Now don't get me wrong, I don't want to see Iran get a nuclear bomb, as I would much as I would like to see all nukes consigned to history. Conventional warfare appears to have enough destructive capacity without adding nukes to the mix. What I don't agree with is these muppets method of doing it.
To quote the inimitable Gee Doubleyah, "Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on you." I hope your mission fails and you are sidelined by a society which will never look at an investment brochure the same way they did prior to 2007.
Oops, I've done a Bushism! I must correct my last paragraph… It should of course be "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."!!
Anon, you don't get it, people who don't want to be occupied will fight with their bands if they have to until there's no one left. 6 million dead vietnamese isn't enough for you, trust me, they would've fought until it was 10 or 20 million. Is there any price that isn't too high to pay? A lot of people prefer theocracies or dictatorships to the "democracies" like we have here in the US where your essentially rooting for 2 identical politicians every 4 years.
The same will happen in Iraq if we don't end our occupation soon, they'll continue being willing to blow themselves up to get us to leave. People just cast off suicide bombers as insane, maybe that's true but that's how motivated so many thousands of people are to get their occupiers off their land.
Why is it so important for us to expand our empire? Is 136 countries with US troops not enough? How many of your own countrymen are you willing to sacrifice for some far off world to have a government you prefer and they might not? How much are you willing to be taxed in order to pay for this nation-building? There has to be a limit, and apparently thousands of young americans and the average homeowner having 40% of their income go to the government in some form or another isn't enough. We're so willing to trade our own freedoms for more government, whether it be here or abroad.
Comparing the numbers of military personnel with the number of diplomatic corps personnel is neither relevant, nor logical. Simple as that…
Consider this: in conventional war, if I need to cover a 10 km stretch of the front in "closed terrain", I need an infantry division. That's circa 17,000 men. You can try and reason about this, you can try to be smart about it, you could try this or that… but in the end, you will need 17,000 men to cover 10 km of closed terrain in a conventional war. Soldiers operate that way. Wars are fought that way. No amount of intellect will have a profound impact on the physics here.
However, if the government wishes to be represented in a foreign country, they send a diplomatic mission… maybe a large mission if the foreign country is large and 'an important ally', maybe a small mission if the foreign country is small and 'on the fringe of interest'. Since there are a finite number of countries in the world… a finite number of which the government would like to maintain diplomatic ties with. And since there is a logical upper bound to the number of people of a diplomatic mission, you can do the maths – but even without whipping out the calculator, I can guarantee you that you will not need the numbers that you do to cover a 10 km stretch of closed terrain in that same country.
Since your diplomatic corps is smaller (in numbers) than the military engine, the government needs to make up the 'grunt' somehow… and this is done by recruiting the type of person for the diplomatic corps that the military can only fantasize over… but know that they'll never be able to afford to recruit such a calibre by default.
And then… there are the intelligence and security communities. Who do they serve? The military? The Foreign Office? Both? Whose ranks do they swell?
Back to the point… counting heads cannot provide you with a basis of comparison. You need to 'evaluate' effect, a far more difficult process since effect cannot always be measured in a scientific manner. But if you could, you'd conclude that the US is a military and a diplomatic giant… albeit a naive and child-like one at times. As with their automobiles, it is all about power but lacks real sophistication.
If the average person got to work in diplomatic services for maybe half a year, I feel the general impression would be one of disbelief. It is hard to imagine paying people to write up position papers, attend meetings, express sentiments in a non-committed manner, take notes, report on meetings and update files. It is far easier to justify the salary of a person holding a rifle and entering hostile environments for domestic interests. The fact that we need diplomats should not translate to us having many diplomats. I honestly think some people, perhaps retired individuals, would be happy to fill these positions expenses paid without pay.
You are the one who doesn't get it, Ham.
You fail to see the difference between those people who blow themselves up with suicide bombs, and those innocent people the suicide bombs kill.
To you, they are all simply under foreign occupation. And all of them want America to leave.
The idea that those who recruit the suicide bombers might be trying to regain their repressive control over innocent people just does not occur to you.
And why would it? Peaceniks only care that they don't have blood on your hands via the American military. Once the troops are out, they couldn't care less about what happens to the innocent.
Likewise with Vietnam. I have to ask. Do you think the South Vietnamise actually wanted America to leave? Do you recall what happened when the North gained control? How many innocent people died soon after?
But the pacifists ran away and tore the assistance agreement in half. And put their fingers in their ears while the people of Saigon screamed.
Warmongers might make dictators and tear them down, but pacifists are the ones who tolerate them.
I concur with Raven re numbers of troops needed for warfare vs the much smaller numbers used for diplomacy. The thing I can't understand is encapsulated in the http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/i dUSTRE54G0LJ20090517?pageNumber=2&virtua lBrandChannel=0 article. Where are all these troops?
I would also like to point out that both the military and diplomatic assets are, or at least I hope they are, directed by their political masters. Both the military and the diplomatic corps are (or should be) carrying out the instructions of their government, who in a democracy represent (or should) the will of their citizens. If the citizens want a big army, so be it. If they don't want to use diplomacy, so be it.
It's a hard life having to make sure the diplomatic vehicle is clean and shiny as it passes by, sometimes disrupting traffic during rush hour. And it's a hard life playing golf and going to parties. But someone has to do it.
Mr. Debusmann's comments are palpable nonesense. To whit:
- the United States has probably had more military musicians than diplomats since Pershing organized the Army band, and perhaps since Jefferson organized the Marine band. It may be a fact that military musicians outnumber diplomats, but it is also irrelevant. I don't recall it being an issue when Clinton, Regean or even Kennedy was president; why should it suddenly be relevant today? Mr. Debusmann does not say.
- Mr. Debusmann is silent on the size of other nations' diplomatic corps. This absence of a key comparitive statistic is instructive. How do other key powers, or even non-key powers, rate in such a metric. I rather suspect that China and North Korea would not fare well.
- speaking of other powers, does anyone really think that if the US had 100, 1,000 or 1000,000 additional State Department diplomats, the "Dear Leader" would suddenly give up his nuclear ambitions? Or Putin would cease his desire for control over the "near abroad"?
This is nothing more than another attempt to expand an already too-large government. It should be met with the same skepticism as every other attempt to expan government.
A very good question Peter H. And a chilling answer… not all soldiers/marines/sailors/air men (let's call them soldiers for brevity) are sharp (or in fighting echelons). For every sharp edge soldier, you need a number of blunt edge (rear echelon) soldiers to keep him there. The ratio is determined by a number of factors, including military organisation, culture, length of lines of communication, etc.
This ratio also influences the cost of any conflict. Consider the Viet Cong… marched on rice – if they could get it, carried everything they needed, relied on little cottage industries – a lean, mean, fighting machine with practically no rear echelons and a very flat command structure. How could they afford the war? Because it cost them practically nothing to keep a grunt on the ground.
Now, consider the USS Ronald Reagan, or more formally – what is the complement of the USS Ronald Reagan? And how many of those good people fly the planes on her? The answer? She has a complement of 5,680 and she carries 90 planes and helicopters. She was built at a cost of $4.5 billion. By the way, I'm not even talking about the fleet that has to accompany her wherever she goes… the submarine pickets, the submarines, the anti-air destroyers and cruisers, the bunkers and other supply ships, etc, etc, Or the daily cost of keeping that fleet on station…
So… which approach is the right one? I guess it is a matter of style and culture. I do think that history favours those armies that had managed to shed their baggage trains and leave the camp followers and wagons behind. There is a lot to be said for travelling light, yet hitting hard. But I'm not going to convince anyone in the US military to think otherwise, so we'll leave it at that.
"It would seem that the dynamic trio of Anon, Anonymouse and Edward M. Blake is on their "extend the war mission" on this column too!"- Posted by Peter H
Who? Me? "extend the war mission"? If anything I believe the mission of US armed force in Iraq and Afghanistan was overextended for reasons having nothing to do with the military and everything to do with PC BS.
The war in Iraq was a great success and it ended with W's "mission accomplished" speech aboard the carrier. What happened thereafter was democracy building and it was an utter failure even before it started. They forgot to ask the locals if they can handle Western type democracy, or if they want it at all. Instead a local strongman should have been put in charge, and then quickly withdraw, while looking the other way at that strongman's not-so-gentle treatment of locals. Any strongman is SOB, but it's OK as long as he's our SOB.
And Afghanistan can't be dealt with unless the ones who make decisions are prepared to use scorched earth tactics and accept all collateral damage resulting from it. It's an archaic tribal society, and as soon as you kill one Taleban, his kinsmen have the unconditional duty to retaliate. They'll do anything for revenge, unless all of them are killed as well. If you call the result of massive use of force "collateral damage" and accept it as the price to get mission accomplished, you'll accomplish the mission. If you call it "genocide" or "human rights violation" or whatever politically correct term, and are not ready to accept it, you'll fail the mission before you start it, and in this case it'd be better to cut the losses and leave. But looks like BHO administration, just as Bush administration before them, is trying to find some other way. Wish them luck but don't hold your breath for much success.
Anon, I can tell you really have zero desire to answer my questions. I'll trying asking them again in hopes I get an answer.
How many of your countrymen are you approving the death of to change a foreign country's gov't? How many you willing to have permanently injured physically and mentally? Apparently hundreds of thousands isn't enough so I just wanna know what is.
How much higher are you wanting to be taxed so we can nation-build 10,000 miles away? 30, 40, 50% of your income? How much of a tax burden are you willing to put on your children?
How many of your freedoms and your childrens freedoms are happily willing to flush away in the name of expanded government power? How many more Patriot Acts, how many more bureaucracies, how much more government expansion are you gonna to bob your head up and down for?
The freedoms, liberties, capitalistic integrity and all americans should just be traded away in exchange for foreign nation-building projects. That sure seems to be your stance.
You tell me, Ham. You obviously will not bother to read other posts until your own are answered.
As many soldiers as are needed to win the war. It probably shocks you to think this, but people die in wars. What matters is that if they die, it makes their nation proud.
As for tax? I approve of nation building, so naturally I approve of the tax. If it got to the point where I valued my greed over foreign policy, naturally I would want less tax.
Regarding nation building, lets look at other nations. China gives weapons and money to embargoed dictators, in order to dig up their natural resources. Russia is building a naval base in a region they recently annexed from Georgia through war.
So naturally America would want to be isolationist, assuming it was a fool.
Your freedom/security argument is a false dichotomy. Just like a man who is angry at buying security bars for his home, because it means he needs to accept the reality of crime.
Now answer my questions:
How many soldiers are you willing to sacrifice, in order to bring freedom to other people? Freedom which you already take for granted.
How many innocents would you sacrifice, to save their entire nation from people like Pol Pot and Saddam?
And finally a corker. Iran nukes Israel and kills millions. What punishment on Iran could amend these deaths?
And what punishment would you want the pacifists to suffer, seeing as their inaction would be partially to blame for genocide?
"war in Iraq was a great success and it ended with W's "mission accomplished" speech aboard the carrier." May 17th, 2009 6:14 pm GMT – Posted by Anonymous.
That sum's up your narrow mind and defective vision. I'll leave it up to other folk to make their minds up on whether to support your burning desire to "succeed" in Iran in the same way.
Thanks for your reply Raven. I agree with that one too. A sharp tool well aimed at right target could achieve the required result, and would possibly go relatively unnoticed. If technological superiority was the answer to conflicts, Adolph probably would have done better, but there's a shining example of politicians fiddling with the military. (I don't consider Adolph to have been a military man despite his status as a war veteran.) (I don't have any military experience myself, but I devour history books, ancient, recent and current, and like to check who and where the books were written taking care not to read all the one sided ones.)
I do think diplomacy can work if both sides are frank and honest. Wars seem to be easier to start than stop.
It's sad that people want to lump me in with those who want war with Iran, but then again it's easier to dismiss an opposing opinion by mischaracterization than really address a difficult issue.
International politics are unfortunately a zero sum game. You can talk about everyone getting along with mutual respect and honesty, but it's a fantasy. In order for others to gain, some must lose, it's really as simple as that. Once you accept that truth it's difficult to believe that diplomacy can work in anything other than the simplest situation.
Some want to live in a fantasy world where all nations act rationally and only have peaceful aims. It's not that simple or rosy in reality. I've said it before, wanting to talk doesn't make you weak, but it does give that appearance to those who only understand force and violence. Thus, while you may not be afraid, if your opponent sees you that way how do you get a fair deal?
Anon, I'm of the opinion that after so many of our own soldiers and their own civilians die that you don't really "win" the war.
How can you approve of foreign nation building while our own bridges collapse under our cars and we can't protect one of our great and most treasured cities in New Orleans? I mean how many other cities are under the same threat from hurricane or other natural disasters?
If we simply spend money on our own defense and technology we don't need to be in any other country. We can plenty reach any part of the world from our land or from satellites. It's all in the name of empire-building. Maybe not now, maybe not in 50 years, but eventually that will be our demise like every empire previous.
To answer your first question the United States government, should worry about, well the United States. If we were truly doing this to be on moral highground we'd have all our troops in Darfur and we'd stop the blockage with Cuba, not that i'm advocating for either.
For the 2nd question I'd have to look it up, but are we murdering civilians any less than Saddam did?
This isn't possible, especially anytime soon, but if they did than we should step in. What if Israel nukes Iran? There's certainly a better chance of that happening, what would your opinion of that be?
Peter, your reference to WWII is of course spot on. A little anecdote – when German troops first encountered the Soviet T34 tank on the Eastern Front, they were so impressed by it's superior ability that they sent captured tanks back to Germany with the request "we want these please…" Their requests to that effect were turned down, since the T34 would not pass the German quality control checks.
Should you get the chance, read Martin van Creveld: Supplying War… critically. This is a grim reminder of how one can be tempted to offer logistical planning in lieu of a sound strategic planning. So in the end, it all boils down to numbers. Yet Sun Tzu warns against exactly that thinking. It is not about numbers at all, but the concentration of a balanced force at a point where it cannot be resisted… or in the words of Sun Tzu: "Let your actions be like the dashing of a grindstone against an egg." – that 'grindstone' being a big (5 ton) grindstone used by millers of his time.
In response to an earlier post regarding the successful completion of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the "Mission Accomplished" speech – I'm afraid that history may have another take on this.
Let's quickly recap the facts. From the end of the previous war (give or take a month), the international community plied pressure on Iraq to relinquish their Weapons of Mass Destruction and to terminate development programmes of the same. You should be able to recall the 'he loves me, he loves me not…' ping-pong that ensued – Saddam would collaborate, then not. He would allow weapons inspectors free access, then deny them access to Presidential Palaces. Poor Hans Blix… this man must've packed and unpacked his suitcase more than anyone else on this planet during this time. All the time though, Saddam was adamant… "we do not have WMD's."
In 2002 the US, UK and a couple of other countries turned up the ratchet a notch or two. Not only did Saddam have WMD's, but also the delivery mechanism to hit the heartland of Europe within minutes of Saddam's say-so… serious stuff. We even had General Powell do a PowerPoint presentation on the reality of the threat to the UN Security Council… seeking approval and support for upping the ante against Iraq.
Now… this part is important. Bear in mind that wars are not schoolyard brawls. Wars are fought as the continuation of national (or international) foreign policies by other means. The foreign policy in this instance was the removal of a clear and then present danger in the form of WMD's (with long-range delivery vehicles) in the hands of a complete lunatic… "listen to him, he's so crazy, he expects us to believe that he doesn't have WMD's"
We need to be clear on this… the policy was NOT to "free the Iraqi people" or the "create a democracy" or to "bring this dictator to justice." It was to rid Iraq and the region of WMD's. The ultimatum to Iraq was also to that effect. "Hand over your WMD's or we will come and fetch them."
At this stage, Saddam had probably wished he had WMD's, just so that he could've handed them over. Even a fool could see where this was heading. But, sadly for him, he did not have any WMD's, so on March 20, 2003, the Coalition Forces continued the pursuit of their collective foreign policy by other means… war.
And on May 1 of the same year? President George Bush declares "Mission Accomplished". What was that "Mission" again? It was to remove the threat of WMD's and the delivery vehicles from Iraq and the region. "We've come to destroy all the Heffalumps in your house, and haven't found any… so well done to us – Mission Accomplished?"
I think that Operation Iraqi Freedom will be remembered for a number of questionable reasons… a galactic failure of national and military intelligence, a complete failure in the achievement of the original foreign policy objectives, a set example of the need to plan for the peace to follow the war. And still, the costs just keep on mounting.
So… in summary – in shock at the price, in awe of the stupidity. I know that General Powell is a smart and good soldier – I bet that once in a while, he wakes up in cold sweat from that nightmare where he is presenting to the UN Security Council on Iraqi WMD's again.
Does that about sum it up?
Peter H,
Looks like, lacking valid argument, you resorted to one of liberals favorite trick – pulling a phrase out of context and then completely distorting your opponent's point of view making it easier to attack. But this also makes all of your arguments, valid or not, questionable due to your manned to conduct discussion.
Or maybe you meant it – all liberals tend to lump the war in Iraq and the post-war democracy building effort into one big ugly lump they call "Iraq war", making it easier to argue that war in Iraq failed and, by extension, all wars are failures. Looks like in your blind hate of Bush and anything that has to do with him, you try to deny him a credit even when it's due.
In fact, there were 2 separate event in Iraq – the war, which was a victory beyond any argument, and the post-war period, which was a failure beyond argument. But it's this failure that's being continued by BHO – maybe different in presentation, but the same in its essence – support of failed Iraqi regime that is itself a bastard of failed effort on "democracy building". And leaving even a single military person above the usual number of embassy guard Marines means there's no "complete withdrawal" as it was promised in the run-up to elections.
So, in your own words, "That sum's up your narrow mind and defective vision. I'll leave it up to other folk to make their minds up on whether to support your burning desire to" capitulate before all opponents of America, reward them for being anti-American, and in the same time abandon historical allies, if not punish them for being our allies.
You have only confirmed what I have said Ham.
People who are against the war do not want to fight for the freedoms of others, because they believe it is not their problem.
But if Iran nukes Israel and kills millions? "Oh, then we would step in and do something". Good sentiment, but lousy timing.
I've read about five of these comments, and I'm disgusted by the lack of intelligence or forethought in anyone's writing. Our world is not a utopia; this is a fact. America is the dominant military presence in the world.
What the author nor readers also mention is that the US GIVES more money away than any other country in the world, period. Our 50 billion DWARFS what the English, French and Spanish are giving away combined.
So, if our military superiority threatens the rest of the world with our way of life, I am not only comfortable with it but I embrace it and pay my taxes willingly. The rest of the world would be done a favor to be dominated under an empire of the United States, because trust me, there's nothing quite like liberty. If you've grown up here, chances are you haven't left, just because there's no place quite as free.
Anonymous, your post reads as if it were a fake. The views therein are so saturated with ignorance that I almost didn't take it seriously.
I find the facts conveyed in this article to be most appalling and uncharacteristic of a supposedly free and democratic nation. The previous comment upon this piece makes me fear for the future of this once prosperous land, even more so than before.
Yes, America's legions garrison some 130 countries all about the globe, protecting freedom and democracy through the righteous power of brute force. Woe be to those who would resist the will of the leviathan we call a government.
One of the things that Anonymous failed to understand is that all this money has to come from somewhere, and that is from the American taxpayer. The massive amounts of foreign aid that our country doles out to keep foreign regimes favorable to western interests is actually a form of corporate welfare, as the money must be used to purchase from US corporations. Not only are the taxpayers getting screwed, but the politically well connected business class is profiting immensely from it.
I don't know how far gone you have to be to declare something as ludicrous as the world would be better off under a US based empire, surely something is amiss with that logic, or lack thereof. I don't know if Anonymous has ever read US history or has any inkling as to why our country was founded in the first place. It was to become free of taxation without representation, a sprawling world empire, and the cabal of European central banks, all of which have regained control of the nation. Liberty and empire are antithetical. This is not the US that I nor any of the other posters grew up in.
One of the stated reasons Bin Laden attacked the US was our 15,000 troops in his 'holy land' of Saudi Arabia. How is the 727 US bases in foreign lands making citizens here any safer? Ike was the last Republican President with any integrity who warned of the "growing military, industrial,complex". That was when the Pentagon/War Dept.(now called 'Defense') budget was only 40 billion!
MLK Jr. said a "nation which continues to spend more & more on it's military is approaching spiritual death". The American Empire is on it's last legs. I doubt a nation of 'Idol' watchers is awake enough to notice.
Anon, again you've shown your unwillingness to answer my questions. I can understand, if I were taking your position I wouldn't wanna answer them either. Nothing I've said is in favor of your war-mongering and government expansion ideals, I'm stating the exact opposite.
Mr Ham. I hate having to spell things out. Couldn't you just read people's posts better?
I claimed that people who are against the war have moral issues. Either:
1. They do not wish to provide freedom to other people, because they feel it is not their problem, or
2. They do not care what happens to other people, as long as their own hands are clean.
All of your responses have only supported this. So what else can I conclude?
You don't want to fight overseas because you don't care what happens to people in other nations. You don't want to pay taxes to provide freedom to others outside America. You don't want military bases in other countries because it isn't your problem. You value your own freedom over the safety of the community.
"America should take care of America". That is what you said.
I have answered all of your questions. The problem is you don't bother to read the answers that are given.
"What if Israel attacks Iran?" Is that the question I missed? What a joke. You want your answer?
Israel is trustworthy. It has proven it's restaint time after time. It has been attacked time after time, yet it always avoids complete slaughter.
And trust me, if you think Cast Lead was a real slaughter, you need some political perspective.
Whereas Iran is a repressive theocracy. One who's munitions and money seem to find their way into Iraq, Palestine and Lebenon with surprising regularity. Just another elephant in the room ready to be ignored.
"to be dominated under an empire of the United States, because trust me, there's nothing quite like liberty"
Haha! Dude, you seriously need to refine your argumentation skills. That, or accept that your breed is finally dying out, thank God.
Am I the only one humming "America, f*** yeah! Freedom is the only way yeah" right now?
My apologies Anon, you're dead on, I don't think another government's problems should turn into mine and yours. If people want to change their government, revolt, we did and we had to sacrifice hundreds of thousands to get what we have.
I expect the U.S. government to provide adequate engineering protection for our greatest cities, protect our borders, tax us minimally like our founding fathers said. If our government proves it can do that, then we can try and help others out. We can't help others if we can't help ourselves.
Iran is an awful government but to say Israel's been restrained when they haven't chosen peace at any time period since their country's beginning is laughable. If they were about peace then they'd be 100% in favor of recognizing Palestine as a state, which they won't. Because if they do that they'll have to maybe go back to their own borders and stop bulldozing Palestinian homes on Palestinian land to make way for their expensive housing settlements.
Iran won't have any nuclear capability anytime soon if ever, Israel has shown itself to be a nation of shoot first, ask questions later. Why else would they not allow reporters to cover their constant attacks and no allow aid workers to come in and save the civilians while they bleed out on the battlefield?
Well, see the whole problem is other country's problems do turn into ours. Particularly since there is no viable international organization to intervene and the feckless EU has decided to act like scared children (i.e. if we keep our heads under the covers the monsters can't get us) and do you really want China and the Soviets..err Russians to be the ones interfering?
Make no mistake, the greater powers of the world always have and always will interfere with the lesser powers. To pretend that the US can get itself in order without some type of order in the international arena is silly.
I'm not condoning the actions of our government in anyway, I'm simply saying that to act like we can ignore the rest of the world to "get our house in order" is impossible. It is a global community, witness the spreads of both the swine flu and economic crisis around the world like wildfire if you need examples.
Edward how do you know it's impossible? We've been trying to be the world's hall monitor for 100 years and we've been in constant decline that entire time. You're assuming we can only worry about ourselves, this isn't based on past history.
I think the main question, regardless of where one stands on the issue of war, is "how do we get others to cooperate?"
And for me, the answer is simple. I would cooperate with a colleague giving me food or money long before I would cooperate with a belligerent foe sticking a gun in my face.
Needless to say, I would probably comply with the armed militant, which is what gives our pro-military friends here the ammunition to say "it works." Yes, it does, in the short term.
But as soon as that enemy's back is turned, I would be scheming a way to get out from their influence. Much as the insurgents have been doing in Iraq, as the Taliban are doing in Afghanistan.
I am extremely interested in the idea of increasing the abilities of USAID. What if, instead of 10,000 soldiers, we sent 10,000 trained diplomats and lots of food, money, and building supplies into Afghanistan? Wouldn't the Taliban find it much harder to rally support against us, if we're actually making life better?
What if the U.S. started offering young people the chance to join USAID with the same benefits as those of the armed forces? That would give our pacifist patriots a good way to serve their country.
"assuming we can't only worry about ourselves"
I think you have your history a bit off, I wouldn't say the US was involved to a great extent in international affairs in 1909. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but how can you believe that the US would prosper if it wasn't involved in international affairs? You do realize that we trade with other nations and while I don't particularly agree with our methods of dealing with instability, such instability is bad for business. That's really the only concern I have with other countries. If we can't trade in a reasonably stable environment, how is that going to help us? Again I'm talking in the real world, not in the fantasy normative world of the ivory tower pointy headed folks. If you abstract all reality away then sure, the money spent on defense and foreign aid would improve things here. Unfortunately, we don't live in that world.
I again hate to challenge you view on history, but it proves you wrong in pretty much all instances. You cannot simply ignore the rest of the world, especially in this increasingly globalized world. Absent changes that are simply never going to happen, e.g. the reigning in of the power of MNCs, there's no realistic way to disengage from the unfortunate commitments and entanglements our poor policies of the past have led to. We need to change how we interact, not completely close up shop. It's all fine and good to look askance at our past, but we can't simply walk away any easier than we can continue on this bad road. Instead of assigning blame and rehashing poor history, we need to look to change. But you can't change realistically, unless you look at the world realistically. Until then it's just pointless whining and bashing with no purpose.
Edward I'm more or less saying the way I think is best, not offering a potential good policy for the U.S. I've already lost 100% hope in this government with regard to everything, I'm on here for discussion. With how far we are, revolution is the only way to fix it.
Dear Anonymous,
How could I possibly experience liberty if I am 'dominated under an empire of the United States'? What exactly does 'Liberty' mean to you? I thought it meant freedom… from oppression, domination, etc. But if "Liberty" is attained by being dominated, then you can keep it.
The same goes for the modern US vernacular regarding 'Democracy' and 'Peace'. Does Iraq have a "Democracy"? Is that what a democracy looks like? If it is, you can keep it. Are the Iraqi's "Free"? Do they have "Peace"? As they cower in their homes, dodge the bombers and mourn their dead? Once again, it they are, you can keep it
And believe me, I do not consider the US military superiority to be a threat even if they were my enemy.
I would assume at this point after 74 posts, that someone would have considered the fact that what America wants in the world is not particularly important to the rest of the world.
That leaves the only posible conclusion…
Wow, I'm being emulated! But I have a few disagreements with the impostor who signed his/her post "Anonymous" on May 18th, 2009 8:54 pm GMT. Firstly, I'd never link my name with a p0rn site, even if the name is a made-up one.
Secondly, and most importantly, unlike that P0rnanimous impostor, I oppose spreading our way of life all over the world, and even more oppose spending my tax money on it. For each his own. Democracy works more or less acceptably in the West (and acceptably only because all known alternatives are even worse). Even in the West it sometimes produces hiccups like in Germany 1933. But, left unchecked in other less civilized places, its results are catastrophic. Too many civil wars and internal ethnic and/or religious conflicts to enumerate – all because of attempts to implement democracy. Too many destroyed economies. And wherever Islam is involved, unchecked democracy brings to power the most extreme elements like Hamas in Gaza, mad mullahs in Iran, or their shia proxies in Iraq and Lebanon.
Bringing democracy and freedom to other corners of the world on American bayonets, while looks noble on the surface, is irresponsible waste of American soldiers' lives and American taxpayers' money. Bringing stability and order – maybe if that corner of the world is of significance for us like Korea in 1950. Confronting regimes that pose danger to us and/or our allies – absolutely necessary.
I'm not certain about the suggestion that democracy only works in the west because all known alternatives are even worse. I'd put it down to the heritage that has come down through the ages that is more or less democratic and dates back as far as possibly the neolithic age or earlier. Many of the occasions where some megalomaniac imposes absolute rule in the west result in absolute war from those that have had their "democratic privileges" trampled on, although not immediately, only after the bad affects have sunk in.
On the topic of diplomacy v war, and having tried to follow the recent US-Israel discussions, one hairy issue has arisen in my mind in the form of "diplomatic language" which by it's diplomatic nature leaves observes (like my humble self) somewhat unable to see if anything has changed.
I still can't help thinking the Iran issue is a complete red-herring, especially given the chaos gripping their Pakistani neighbours and worrying reports I've read concerning the concern that US funds intended for "combating terrorists" have it seems been spent on pumping out nuclear fissile material in Pakistan. Which is worrying especially if you consider that in the not to distant future there is to be a decision on what to do once the START 1 agreement with our Russian friends which expires in December, not to mention the problems that could arise if any of that fissile material gets in to the wrong hands. There is also another interesting little ditty which expires before that coming up for renewal, renegotiation or grabs come October and that is the ICAAN licence. Now you might wonder what control over the internet domains has to do with the price of fish, but given that cyber-warfare can be used to invoke Chapter V, including sanctions such as pre-emptive nuclear strikes it kind-a some how fits in, in my mind.
Given the previous administrations version of diplomacy I'm not certain that the President can really do much on his own. (I'm not anti-Bush, I happen to think he is a good upright man, just not a particularly good President, and his "team" seemed to have their own odd agenda.) The President (or Prime Minister in the UK) is only as good as the team he has around him (unless like Blair you go it alone, or with someone elses team).
One of the glimmers of hope that I do see is the roasting currently being enjoyed by Britain's political elite might just draw the line under the power of the lobby movements and backroom deals over here, or at least put their "interests" in a less powerful position to hijack the democratically elected government.
Another glimmer of hope has been supplied courtesy of the massive democratic nation of India (which wasn't in the west the last time I checked on my atlas) which has voted for stability, a commodity that is in short supply in that region (although curiously Iran, with all its associated problems does appear to be stable) (it could be run by Micky Mouse for all I care, so long as it works).
(I couldn't find the "Supplying War" book in my library, so I might have to buy it, in the mean time it's the Norman Invasion of Ireland for me. Sun Tzu is a great man and inspirational leader.)
"I'm not certain about the suggestion that democracy only works in the west because all known alternatives are even worse. " – Posted by Peter H
Well, maybe I didn't phrase it well – I was in a rush and somewhat irritated by the impostor who tried to link me to a p0rn site. It's not that democracy only works in the west because all known alternatives are even worse. It's rather about how I grade it. And the reason why I grade it "acceptable" is exactly that – because the alternatives are even worse. If there was a proven working alternative, I would have graded democracy as a way of life and government "poor".
Now about why democracy tends to work in the West and fail everywhere else. In my opinion it's because the West is home to massive middle class that outnumbers everyone else (poor and rich lumped together). On one hand, the middle class has a lot to lose in case of wrong choice made in the elections. On the other hand, middle class is sufficiently educated to make that choice. That's what brings stability to the system and prevents extreme swings. And in case of the most spectacular failure of democracy – Germany 1933 – the middle class was wiped out by hyperinflation. Seeing your life savings and your lifestyle going down the toilet doesn't make people think rationally. Desperate people make desperate decisions . And Japan, while geographically not even close to the West, socially and economically is firmly there.
In 3rd world the middle class is barely noticeable, if anything. It's rather very few filthy rich in the sea of dirt poor. While money surely influence elections, they can go only that far. The poor by definition have nothing to lose, and if some demagogue promises them the world and then some, they can well vote for some madman like Ahmadinejad or Chavez.
And India… They are surprisingly well educated for their level of development – one thing that brings them closer to the West. Maybe the people whom we see dirt poor don't see themselves as have-nots. Maybe that small plot of land or a shack in the slum is something their owners value and don't want to risk to instability. Or maybe during the generations under British rule they learned how to play the game of democracy – after all they learned how to play the game of cricket so well that they regularly beat you Brits at it .
Dear Anonymouse, The failure of Germany's "democracy" isn't a good example what-so-ever. I shall attached a link and the brief intro…
"In its 14 years, the Weimar Republic managed to survive despite severe economic problems (including a disastrous inflation), political extremism and …"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weimar_Repu blic
to the better than nothing wikipedia should you wish to brush up on your "facts". Did you study any history at school – or any time after? You have an appalling grasp of most things. The stuff you get on television isn't history.
Germany's democracy was quickly cobbled together on the abdication of the Kaiser who split just before the end of WW1, which the German's "lost" despite having not be pushed back in any meaningful way from their positions in France. They signed the Armistice on 11 November 1918 (theoretically for 11 o'clock) following the fall and evaporation of their Austrian allies.
You will also find that India wasn't ruled in any kind of democratic manner under the British Colonial system, and that is one thing I would have thought the Americans knew something about. I suggest a holiday to any where in the Asian part of Asia Pacific could open your eyes. Beijing could be a good start. You will also find that Pakistan has a large, well educated, wealthy middle-class for all the good that's going to do them.
Iran just tested another missile today. And boy was she a beauty. 2000km range balistic missile.
And Iran claims these missiles are for self defence.
Of course, ballistic missiles are quite useless in conventional warfare. Launching a few missiles at an enemy nation won't stop their army from bombing you into a smoking crater with their air force.
So I wonder why Iran is claiming these missiles will help defend their nation?
Could it be that these missiles are intended to have some kind of extra payload attached to them?
The game of brinkmanship is going to end in an almighty disaster unless some kind of solution can be hammered out. There won't be any winners in the region if the war kicks off, and it will be hard if not impossible to contain.
Peter H,
Believe me I did study the history. And not only Western or, even narrower, American narrative, but other points of view as well. The run-up to WWII was among the periods I was mostly interested in. The link you provided so generously didn't give me any new revelations – maybe some details and clarifications, but nothing beyond that. The fact remains that Germany was stumbling from one economical disaster to another. The population became impoverished, and, as a result thereof, more politicized and polarized. That resulted in electorate making NSDAP the largest party in Reichstag. Even though the composition of Reichstag was that of stalemate and democratic governing was going nowhere despite totally free and fair elections, the fact of NSDAP being the largest represented party was an excuse for the establishment to appoint Hitler Reichskanzler. That much for liberal democracy…
"I suggest a holiday to any where in the Asian part of Asia Pacific could open your eyes. Beijing could be a good start. " Unlike you Europeans, we here in USA have vacations short, few, and far between. Instead of Asian sightseeing I'd rather take my kids to yet another Caribbean cruise – healthier, and more fun for them. And cheaper to boot. All info on Asia I need I can extract from the Internet.
"Pakistan has a large, well educated, wealthy middle-class" in a few select urban areas that are, coincidentally, comprising the traditional paths for Western tourists. I doubt that, even if you've been to Pakistan, you ventured beyond these oases of well-being to the slums or rural areas, let alone tribal areas now fought over with Taleban. If you did I'm very surprised you still keep your head. These select well-to-do areas are representative of all Pakistan no more than Upper East Side in Manhattan is representative of all America. The fact remains that in Pakistan most of population is poor and barely, if at all, educated.
Oh, and finally, it's "Anonymous", not "AnonymousE".
Dear Annonymouse, WW2 wouldn't have kicked off were it not for WW1 (which could be viewed as simply paused), and the run up to that one is the one that fascinates me with an extensive run up going back to the Reformation (and no doubt longer). The between the wars period is fascinating for just who knew what and how much they knew – it seems no one at the time was taken by surprise although Adolph did surprise the sector of society who thought he was their man (not the democratic sector).
I am very well traveled from early childhood on. Whereas I haven't been to Pakistan I have been to India and many other "third world" countries. The thing I see is rapid development and change despite the colonial era pillaging (although I wouldn't include Pakistan so much in the development, but the change does apply) in Asia. Yes they do have massive impoverished populations. They have massive populations.
It is a great shame that the UN (a post-WW2 re-hash of the League of Nations which was set up to fail post WW1) is so inept as the vacuum of a good strong international diplomacy will be filled one way or another by an individual state which will only repeat past mistakes. There is probably little that can be done from the outside in the Middle East the way things are going and the stakes are so high it's chilling. The reason I suggested Beijing probably went over your head.
It never ceases to amaze me the differences different people see when looking at the same picture. It is a truly fascinating (and to me beautiful) world, I hope it stays that way for many generations to come.
To: Peter H/Annonymouse
"Dear Annonymouse, WW2 wouldn't have kicked off were it not for WW1″.
1. History doesn't deal with 'would' history is all about 'was'.
2. You only right about name 'WWII'. WWII can only be after WWI, but the big war was unavoidable and history has written prove .
Since we all pretend to know history…
In 1940's even with Germany out of equation war was unavoidable.
1. Russia assembled biggest army ever with number of tanks running in 1000's. (BTW strike was set on summer 1941-42)
2. Japan built fleet next to British breaking 1922 Washington treaties.
Democracy obviously has big pre-requirements World full of failed Democracies look at Africa and Latin America.
Annonymouse naïve in attempts to explain stability of West democracies by Middle class and Wealth. He sees that Wealth came after West plunder poor colonies. I agree that Wealth brings stability to society. But…
Most Western democracies emerged in 19-20 centuries while counties were in ruins after wars.
West spend on Aid to 3rd World more that US spent to aid to Europe and Japan after WWII just to see tribal chiefs promoted themselves to Presidents rather than Emperors. At the same time poor and multiethnic India was able to build great Democracy. So it not about Wealth… May be it is about culture and tribes/clans become nations.
Let me list all the ideas
Turn as many Empty Factories in Every State of the Union into Greenhouses that catch as much water, sun, and energy
to be as self sufficient as possible. They can be oasis's of Food, Heat, Shelter with Structure as Homes around these Depressed areas are Rebuilt. Plus, We would not be so dependent on food being shipped, less gas used, less pollutants.
By placing just One Solar Panel and One Wind Generator with a new Battery (A large one they will use in Electric cars) The Jobs created to make the Panels, Generators, and Batteries will be an Immediate help to our economy. The Instillation will create Jobs.
Homes that can Produce their Own energy will Lessen OUR need for Fossil Fuels across this country. This will put less pollutants in the air, as well as lessening the demand for MORE power-plants. Our National security as well as Security for the Population will increase since homes can produce their own Energy in Emergencies.
Creating a Magnetic Train system(Like Europe, but MUCH better) will lessen the amount of OIL needed for air travel since the train,Using Solar panels ALL ALONG the tracks, with wind catchers to catch the trains passing wind and mother nature, should help power itself, making it cheaper to operate, making it cheaper to travel! If we connect ALL State Capitals, Major Cities, Universities, and Casino's how easy would it be to see OUR COUNTRY in all her Glory?
Small Business thrives on tourists!
Casino's have always been hubs of underworld activities like Prostitution, Drugs, and Money Laundering. Why should we let Gambling make Millionaires and Billionaires out of Mafia Types, who wish to make money on our vices, when we can take that money and create a Free Health Care System. How much can we save when we CUT OUT ALL HEALTH INSURERS, who don't care about your health, only THEIR PROFIT! Doctors pay would not be affected since Skill and Ability in that field always rise to the top. Malpractice would be rethought, since Insurers are not involved. How much better could Health Care in general be when we take out the PROFIT motive, and focus on Healing and Caring for the Ill, not making as much as possible off of them.
Where is all the State Lotto money going? I thought it was supposed to go towards Schools? YET School budgets get slashed every year while the money spent on Lotto's keep going UP? This needs to be looked into, this discrepancy in BUDGETS.
Where is could the money come from to start these projects? How much has been spent to bailout "BANKS" and those who have been ripping us off? These people made how many BILLIONS off of the Public, you and me, NOW they get more BILLIONS to rescue them from THEIR MISTAKES, and HAVE YET to start letting the "CREDIT" flow?
Big Oil has been "Speculating", "Price Fixing", and engaged in "Anti-Competition" practices for HOW LONG? When was the last time you saw a "Gas Price War" from your Local Gas Stations? I'm not saying Nationalize, but why don't we Freeze some of the Accounts of Leaders, go through these Oil Company Patents and see if they have BOUGHT technology that would improve Gas Mileage. Remember, Big Oil makes money PER GALLON, so the lower MPG your car gets, the better for them, and they have how many BILLIONS to LOBBY Congress? No wonder America's MPG Standard is the Lowest in the World.
It is only a subtle shift in Thinking. Instead of PROFIT and CONTROL being the Focus of our Economy, we need to Make our Economy Strong, Steady, and Reliable by Building it to be that way. We just need to change LEADERSHIP at some places atop these TOO LARGE MULTINATIONALS, who do not care about the individual, region, or Nation, they only care about them, theirs, and their Bottom Line.
I have ideas, and ideas
How would I set up GM? With intelligence. The World Car Market since the 1930′s has Always had a trend of Customization and Modification. All the Home Mechanics during the 60′s and 70′s took a lot of money out of the Big 3′s pockets. How many Dealerships, like YENKO, became more popular because of that Customization and Modification?
GM should approach this rebuilding keeping this in mind.
I see GM like Apple and its iPhone. Apple supplies the iPhone and allows whoever the ability to make an Application.
If GM redesigned and supplied a completely Modular car platform, with easy to install components, how easy would it be for Dealerships to offer Customizations?
I envision a new car buyer going into a Dealership. The Customer chooses a frame (small car, sedan, truck, ect.) then looks at the available body types that can be hung, picks an interior, a sound system, rims, and a customized paint job if they wish, among other things.
I see these Customizing Car Shops everywhere, why not turn them into Dealerships where GM ships Parts, Frames, and Pieces to be assembled. The Quality should improve since you are meeting your cars assemblers at the Dealership. YOU, the customer can watch your car being built. Each Dealership can Distinguish itself with their WORK! Popular Dealerships(like YENKO of the 60′s) could have Customers traveling across the country to have a car assembled for them. (Hopefully they will travel over a Comprehensive Train system and drive the New GM car back home)
How many people could be employed in Local Dealerships, instead of being concentrated in one area like a Giant Factory? These New Dealerships would employ Mechanics, Body Specialists, Painters, Interior Specialists, and Sound Installers among Salesmen and Shop Managers. Keeping it smaller scale will keep Quality High, especially since shady Dealerships will become easy to see because of the shoddy work.
Just another idea to better America.
This idea for GM also puts most of the money in the hands of those who Construct, Build, and Assemble the cars, those who do the most WORK, and should limit what the Government can take out of the company in the form of Money.
Jobs are more important to a Strong, Steady, and Reliable Economy than the amount of Money that Economy can make in the form of Profit.
I have more ideas.
Energy, energy, energy.
We will always want energy. How do we get it? Energy Companies take from you, too much, and use it to buy Fuel.
How about, along with the Solar Panel and Wind Generator, we add an Row machine, or a Bike machine which generates energy to feed into the system.
Kids at a Mall want to buy a CD, or DVD, or whatever it is Kids want to waste money on. Instead of Mom and Dad giving their hard earned money, the Kids can go and Row or Pedal, get some exercise, and get some money in their pocket.
For you Conservatives, what better way to instill a work ethic in kids? "Johny? you want some money? You can go be productive, put some Energy in the system, make some money, and buy what you want." We can teach Work Ethic and Money management to our children while starting to free us from Oil, foreign and Domestic.
Folks, even the Homeless can go to a public place, get some exercise, do some work, and make some money that they can buy some food with. How much will the health of this Nation increase in 2 years?
See what thinking with Love can do? and not greed for profit?
Some more about me.
I was a Latch Key Kid, meaning i kept my house key around my neck. Started in the First Grade. I lost my Key for the first, and only, time in the 3rd grade.
This is an example of how i was raised. My Dad raised me by himself, a rarity even today. He KNEW i would eventually lose that key, it is just the nature of children.
Instead of getting mad, he was prepared. He turned it into a lesson. He told me why a key was so important, why Security mattered. He got me involved in the lock changing process, explained why it cost so much.
All my life my Father has always Explained Why something was wrong, so i understood the punishment. Once you understand WHY something is wrong, you have no excuse for doing wrong again. That was his view anyway.
Worked rather well. How could you expect a child to be perfect their first go at life? However, my Dad thought that once he fully explained why something was wrong, it was my ass if i made the same mistake twice.
Smart people learn from mistakes, it is what makes us grow. My Dad has always said, "Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want.
What have we learned, what can we learn, what will make us better, smarter, better prepared for Our future.
Dad said, "Always think ahead."


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Converter Salary Survey
By Catherine Diamond, Associate Editor
Published November 17, 2011
The slitter rewinder is an integral part of the converting system, and is capable of performing many critical tasks, including inspection, diecutting, variable information printing, and more. Read More »
By Jack Kenny
Published October 4, 2011
Compact and economical, these small machines have found homes in hundreds of label shops around the world. Read More »
By Jack Kenny
Published April 11, 2011
Not just simple press components, winders play a direct role in print productivity and bottom line performance. Read More »
By Jack Kenny
Published May 7, 2009
A great deal of time and effort goes into the decision to purchase a new or used piece of equipment. Several converters share their thoughts about the process. Read More »
By Steve Leibin of Matik, Omet
Published November 12, 2008
We continue our roundup of the companies and their products that made Labelexpo 2008 in Chicago the premier North American industry event of the year. Read More »
By John Penhallow, Steve Katz, and Jack Kenny
Published October 6, 2008
L&NW pays tribute to a select group of converters who are making noteworthy contributions to the health of the industry. Read More »
By Jack Kenny
Published August 20, 2008
A Connecticut converter sees growth in a tough market by pursuing new opportunities and maintaining top quality standards. Read More »

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Audi Club Show & Shine
Audi Club Show & Shine
Date and Time
Oct 19, 2014 (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM )
Audi Club Members – please come-out and join us for full day of social event with fellow Audi enthusiast. Bring your family, neighbors, neighbor's family, and other people that you may know to join this fun @ Audi Exchange, 2490 Skokie Valley Rd, Highland Park, IL. Any cars are welcome (Audi is not required).
Our activities will include the following:


text:
Lena Banks is What? Who?
Member –
California Lawyers for the Arts
Lena Banks is a scriptwriting advisor, teacher, mentor, manager and muse with 18+ years experience in Hollywood. She provides up-to-date, professional scriptwriting analysis services for all levels, from the well-known to the yet-to-be-known. She is lovingly known as "The Bitch With The Red Pen" for her iron will, but with an angel's touch – her Red Pen markups are legendary for getting that final polish on your script.
Don't let your script out of your sight until you've cleaned it up by getting a story-line analysis and a red pen mark-up. You must find out what has to be cleaned up BEFORE anyone sets eyes on it. All pro writers get help so don't think you can make it without it. For over 18 years Lena has offered top of the line Script Analysis, Proofreading & Editing, Mentoring, Re-Writing, Ghostwriting, story-line and character development, writer's block relief, Hollywood hand-holding and much more. She can pick up the phone and place a script anywhere – and will do that – when your script meets Hollywood Professional Standards.
Call 818 585 7272 for a free 15 minute consultation
- Lena's here to be informative not judgmental
- Lena's here to help you grow as a writer and be the best that you can be
- Lena's here to encourage you to hang in there and guide you to write a brilliant screenplay
- Lena will keep your information private and confidential
Lena Banks and Robert McKee
"We're hamming it up for the camera." Lena Banks


text:
We're sorry to announce that it's the end of the road for Rendi.
It was a wild fun ride, but in the end, growth couldn't quite catch up with overhead before the financing ran out.
Don't you just hate it when that happens?!
We're so grateful for all of you who have shared the adventure with us.
Please direct any questions to email@example.com.