With an armful of hammers... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kip Foss · #1 12-27-2010, 12:15 PM

every problem looks like a nail.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/26/opinion/26kristof.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Fulcrum525 · #2 12-27-2010, 01:08 PM

The US Millitary is very offensive, not defensive, in its orientation and its weaponry.

They also continue to procure the latest and greatest technology at a pace that seems to be near cold war levels. I often wonder if it's even worth it.... For a while it seemed to be that every few months a brand new gizmo was being tried in Iraq/Afghanistan. This one sprung right to mind
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Denial_System
(I know it's meant more for crowd control but seriously did bullets suddenly become expensive and ineffective that such a thing is being developed for use on the battlefield?)

Look at Russia as a good comparison. It continues to mostly modernize its forces by modifying existing platforms. Very little new build hardware has been made in the past 15 or so years. The U.S in comparison seems to be trying to replacing everything even if the current platforms still work.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Naval_Gunfire_Support_debate
(I would be in favor of Keeping the Iowas rather then replacing them)

Granted all of that spending does create a lot of economic opportunities for millions of people....but couldn't the same thing be done by focusing the funds else-ware?

Hatterasguy · #3 12-27-2010, 08:06 PM

Military toys are cool, I look at it as a good use of my tax dollars.

But I do agree with the article on one point, we need a major base realignment. Europe is old news we need to free up resources to focus on Asia and Africa.

chilcutt · #4 12-27-2010, 08:13 PM

Need to put a muzzle on Isreal (No offense DavidMash). The problems in the ME, wont get any better until Isreal is addressed accordingly.
All the military toys wont help when the U.S. finally invades Iran-thats a 20 year war at the very least-that cannot be won...all it will do is bankrupt what is left of the U.S.

The Clk Man · #5 12-27-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilcutt

Need to put a muzzle on Isreal (No offense DavidMash). The problems in the ME, wont get any better until Isreal is addressed accordingly.
All the military toys wont help when the U.S. finally invades Iran-thats a 20 year war at the very least-that cannot be won...all it will do is bankrupt what is left of the U.S.

NO. You are dead wrong.

chilcutt · #6 12-27-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

NO. You are dead wrong.

Elaborate.

buffa98 · #7 12-28-2010, 06:21 AM

The better answer is to stop RESTRAINING Isreal. That way when someone launches an unprvoked attack the will respond in force. The main cause of the issues now is the choke chain Isreal had put on them the first time a land for peace deal was signed.

I think yetzat rabin said it(sorry about the spelling) "If the arabs layed down their weapons there would be peace, If Isreal layed down their weapons there would no longer be an Isreal"

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilcutt

Need to put a muzzle on Isreal (No offense DavidMash). The problems in the ME, wont get any better until Isreal is addressed accordingly.
All the military toys wont help when the U.S. finally invades Iran-thats a 20 year war at the very least-that cannot be won...all it will do is bankrupt what is left of the U.S.

Txjake · #8 12-28-2010, 10:29 AM

Kristoff is an asshat. The less we have the 60s activists who are careerists in charge of the operations in DOS, the better off we are. Better focused military spending, sure, but let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Txjake · #9 12-28-2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buffa98

The better answer is to stop RESTRAINING Isreal. That way when someone launches an unprvoked attack the will respond in force. The main cause of the issues now is the choke chain Isreal had put on them the first time a land for peace deal was signed.

I think yetzat rabin said it(sorry about the spelling) "If the arabs layed down their weapons there would be peace, If Isreal layed down their weapons there would no longer be an Isreal"

Right you are. Israel is a true ally, too who needs our help; a small, tough guy, surrounded by bigger guys, locked in a bar fight for his life. All because the other guys dont want him there.

lutzTD · #10 12-28-2010, 11:20 AM

military spending drives a lot of technology advances. and whats the point of upgrading an old system others have already made counter measures to defeat? thats definitely just throwing money away because you would then have to overwhelm with qty.

the new fighters we have can defeat multiple targets at once and never get touched so all those "upgraded" platforms will be very easily down graded along with the even more important resource of the pilot.

cscmc1 · #11 12-28-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

But I do agree with the article on one point, we need a major base realignment. Europe is old news we need to free up resources to focus on Asia and Africa.

Shhh... that means fewer TDY's to Europe for me. Quit giving them ideas.

Fulcrum525 · #12 12-28-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lutzTD

military spending drives a lot of technology advances. and whats the point of upgrading an old system others have already made counter measures to defeat? thats definitely just throwing money away because you would then have to overwhelm with qty.

the new fighters we have can defeat multiple targets at once and never get touched so all those "upgraded" platforms will be very easily down graded along with the even more important resource of the pilot.

Not denying that at all. I think the main question here is just how much is being spent and is it really necessary? Could the money be put to better use elsewhere?

2010 Military Budgets

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures

pj67coll · #13 12-28-2010, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilcutt

Need to put a muzzle on Isreal (No offense DavidMash). The problems in the ME, wont get any better until Isreal is addressed accordingly.
All the military toys wont help when the U.S. finally invades Iran-thats a 20 year war at the very least-that cannot be won...all it will do is bankrupt what is left of the U.S.

The problems in the ME will not get better, period. The madmullahs need to get a clue. Israel isn't going anywhere, the arabs don't want the palestinian problem solved and as long as radical islam and judaism exist in the region no amount of political bs will make the slightest bit of difference.

- Peter.

lutzTD · #14 12-28-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

Not denying that at all. I think the main question here is just how much is being spent and is it really necessary? Could the money be put to better use elsewhere?

2010 Military Budgets

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures

they dont need to spend because we do unfortunately we volunteered. But how comfortable would you feel if the matched or surpassed our spending and suddenly the CHiCOMs or someone else was the worlds police force? the UN was supposed to do it, but they are so hamstrung by the multinational debates they are worthless in any situation other than humanitarian where all can agree and in which they accell..

The Clk Man · #15 12-28-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilcutt

Elaborate.

If America doesn't protect Israel, America will cease to exist.