Grover Norquist for one.

I've heard him on the radio call for a 70% reduction in military spending. (that was pre-invasion of Iraq).

In this interview he calls for reducing military spending from 3.5% of GDP to 2% of GDP, about a 40% cut. (This is after the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq)
NPR: Grover Norquist

This goes hand in hand with tax cuts, military spending is a huge drag on the economy, and it's of dubious value.
If we had a smaller military, maybe an idiot like Bush wouldn't have been tempted to play Napoleon, and that would have saved us a couple of trillion.

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“ The subjects of every state ought to contribute towards the support of the government, as nearly as possible, in proportion to their respective abilities; that is, in proportion to the revenue which they respectively enjoy under the protection of the state.”

Adam Smith , The Wealth of Nations 1776

"We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals; we know now that it is bad economics"
FDR's second Inaugural Address

Then why would they claim otherwise?

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

What about the maid service?

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"Chaplain Charlie will tell you about how the free world will conquer Communism with the aid of God and a few marines! God has a hard-on for marines because we kill everything we see! He plays His games, we play ours! To show our appreciation for so much power, we keep heaven packed with fresh souls! God was here before the Marine Corps! So you can give your heart to Jesus, but your ass belongs to the Corps! Do you ladies understand?"

Isn't that what the Marines are for?







/runs

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

I seen and read too many reports in which Binny was totally pissed that we were asked to remove Saddam.
Were our bases partial reason for the attacks? Could be......But IMO they were not the only reasons.

Personal pride was........And also because we seemed weak during the Clinton admin. But as I said, it is just my opinion.

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Anyone who thinks freedom comes cheap, please put the blindfold on and stand against the wall.

Many times I believe Americans will have to take back the country and start a new government.

I suspect that there were a number of reasons. Or, as I see it, there really is no reason for terrorism. Just pathetic excuses for cowardly behavior.

__________________
When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

ouch that hurts touché

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"Chaplain Charlie will tell you about how the free world will conquer Communism with the aid of God and a few marines! God has a hard-on for marines because we kill everything we see! He plays His games, we play ours! To show our appreciation for so much power, we keep heaven packed with fresh souls! God was here before the Marine Corps! So you can give your heart to Jesus, but your ass belongs to the Corps! Do you ladies understand?"

They would all laugh choose the second option.

America is paid in easy access to resources and in strategic locales from which to scare off rivals. There is no other purpose for the bases. Wanting extra in the form of money would just be extortion in the tradition of the mafia.

Andrew

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Ethanol is a fabulous solution to our energy dilemma because it will provide more fuel for us to drive around and look for food.

-- Unknown

Your military bases in the holy land were reason #1 for 9/11. It is precisely why america quietly left Saudi Arabia very quickly after 9/11. It is not the media saying tis, it is Osama himself. This is connected to the gulf war of course, and the reason why Osama and his ilk were against america operating in this region was the bases in Saudi Arabia, i.e., infidels boots on the holy land.

Andrew

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Ethanol is a fabulous solution to our energy dilemma because it will provide more fuel for us to drive around and look for food.

-- Unknown

Osama himself said the first thing he wanted from us is conversion to Islam and adoption of Sharia law.

It's in his "Letter to America".

Matt

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De duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum

The reasons he used to motivate and justify 9/11 were:

1.) american military bases in Saudi Arabia
2.) american foreign policy in regards to israel/palestine
3.) UN sanctions against iraqis

World Islamic Front Statement Urging Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders

Andrew

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Ethanol is a fabulous solution to our energy dilemma because it will provide more fuel for us to drive around and look for food.

-- Unknown

Fine by me.

No, extortion is forced (sort of like what happens to American citizens who are paying for the protection of other countries). I, and the others in this thread, have suggested that the protectorates pay for their protection or stop receiving it. It is a simple bargained-for exchange. Frankly, given your obvious anti-"Imperialism" leanings, I am surprised you would indicate opposition to the idea by use of words like extortion, particularly given your predicted end result.

And me as well. But we both know the USGOV would not be fine with not being able to put bases wherever the oil and gas is flowing.



Yes, and that is precisely what the client govs would have to do to their people in order to pay the money to the americans.

Andrew

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Ethanol is a fabulous solution to our energy dilemma because it will provide more fuel for us to drive around and look for food.

-- Unknown

About a Million bucks a day, FYI. I don't think that includes any actual action on the part of a carrier group.

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Not a day goes by that I don't see something that reinforces my belief that people are idiots.

Yes, those were his excuses for deliberately murdering 3000 innocent civilians.

However, his first demand was conversion to Islam.

Full text: bin Laden's 'letter to America' | World news | Observer.co.uk

Bin Hidin's primary demand - we must convert to Islam.

Thanks, but no thanks.

Matt

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De duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum