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A repost from a year ago but well-deserving of being so, another "open letter to America"

glenn1

Lifer
Subject: From a Carrier pilot, USMC. (allegedly... who really writes some of this stuff but in this case it doesn't matter.... i can't imagine anyone in the Marine Corps who would disagree)

Dear Americans,

When I opened my e-mail this morning I had about twenty forwards of the article written by Gordon Sinclair, the Canadian who so eloquently praised the United States. What most of you do not realize is that this commentary was written many years ago. Those of us in the Military Service have known about it for a long time. Now, Americans are flooding the net with it as if it were new. It is not. When it was written most Americans didn't read it, because most Americans did not care.

The tragedy that befell all of us on September 11th shocked America. America no longer feels safe. Many of you have said, "The government should have known! 30 Billion Dollars is spent on intelligence! What about the Military!?"

Just a reminder America, YOU voted our government into office. For years you allowed some dishonest politicians and twisted television media personalities to shape your ideas about the defense of our nation. Why? Because most Americans were too lazy to look beyond the three minute sound-bites on the evening news.

Here's a news flash not being broadcast much, "On September 11th, America had the exact level of protection, both militarily and intelligence, that it was willing to pay for".

(One might add that too many have allowed the above to shape ideas about far too much more than JUST the defense of our nation. Our nation's newer ideas as a whole would make most of our country's founders roll over in their graves.)

Only yesterday the Congress and the Senate approved 40 BILLION dollars as a "Down Payment" to fight this War. A short time ago, our politicians said a 100 Million dollar increase for the Navy budget was substantial. In that same bill they ordered the Navy to conduct an 85 Million Dollar Study on...guess what America!? Missiles Defense?! No. Desperately needed parts for our fighter aircraft? Wrong again. Training for Navy Seals? Nah uh.

They wanted Breast Cancer research. Yes, America, your elected officials decided that the US Navy needed more mammograms and less missiles. Was this an under the table sneaky move? No, it was right out in the open. The Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy both opposed it. A New York Senatorial Candidate (Yes, she's the one) was enraged that the Military would be so sexist and irresponsible to the needs of civilians and wanted the Navy to give the money back immediately! But the media paid it little mind. So America paid little attention.

Did any one ever watch CSPAN? Particularly when the Heads of our Armed Services essentially begged OUR representatives to give the Military more money to fight terrorism and maintain a strong defense? Did you see the debates by the Heads of the Intelligence Services that terrorism was the new threat? They told the committees of Congress that the CIA, the FBI, and the Service did not have the money to build the necessary intelligence networks in the areas where terrorists were being harbored. They warned again and again that there was clear and present danger within America's borders.

America must have been watching one of the other 114 satellite channels.

The Military said: "We need more money to maintain military readiness and Combat Training."

America Answered : "What the Military needs is Sensitivity Training! You're all sexist homophobes! I saw it on 60 Minutes!"

The Military said: "We need money to build ships, planes, tanks, and improve our technology. America still has credible threats throughout the world. Terrorism will come to America's doorstep."

America Answered: "You're all part of a vast right-wing conspiracy. There is no more Soviet Threat! My Senator told me so! He/She says we do not need such a big military! You're dinosaurs trying to hold onto the Cold War! We need Social Programs!"

The Military said: "We need to recruit more Americans into the military. We need to increase our force."

America Answered: "You're not taking my kids! We're going to shut down the ROTC programs at our high schools and universities, because you discriminate against alternative lifestyles! ROTC teaches CHILDREN (under 21) how to shoot guns! You just want another Columbine! Rosie and Oprah say so!"

The Military said: "We can't keep interfering in the civil wars of small insignificant countries. It wastes our time, expends our resources, decreases training, and demoralizes our troops. The men and women of the United States are Warriors trying to defend OUR nation, we are not the third world's police force."

America Answered: "You heartless bastards! Can't you see the tear in the eye of that starving child!! There are flies on her face!? Get Moving! Jesse Jackson on CNN said that is what we pay you for!"

The Military Asked: "Why isn't America enraged over the terrorist attack on the USS COLE that killed seventeen AMERICAN Sailors? How about the Air Force barracks bombed in Saudi Arabia? The embassy staffs in Africa? The Soldiers mutilated and dragged through the streets in Somalia?"

America Answered: "We don't have time right now! We're busy defending Animal Rights! Our schools are handing out automatic weapons! The federal government is discriminating against cross-dressing Bolivian hermaphrodites! The police are all members of the Ku Klux Klan! The lack of Ozone is ruining my tan! If they cut deeper into Food Stamps those poor women will have to move down to Size 18/20 Chanel dresses! AND THE WORST.....Corporations are raising the prices of there products sooo high I might not be able to afford the multi-disc DVD Player for my 36'" digital ready TV! Besides, YOU GUYS ARE PAID TO DIE!

So, America, while you sit on your couch or around your office coffee pots and ask, "Why did those terrorists kill innocent civilians? Why didn't they go after the Military?" Remember this America: They already had but America didn't care. These Terrorists realized that they needed to kill American Civilians, and lots of them, before they could have their desired reaction from the people of this country.

Well, now they have it.


 
Well of course he's just engaging in a little job security advocacy.

There is never enough money spent on anything, according to those who want to see more spent on that 'anything', or worse, to see that causes you dislike are defunded even if there is no mutual exclusion (what the hell does hermaphrodites have to do with terrorism?). To attempt to capitalize off a tragedy, by dancing in the blood of the dead, to climb up on your "I told you so" soapbox, is grotesque and despicable.

When some person with a mental disorder commits a crime, the mental health advocates beat their drum, "See, I told you that we aren't spending enough money on mental health issues."

When some person commits a crime with a gun, the antigun advocates beat their drum, "See, I told you that we aren't spending enough money for restricting access to guns."

I could go on, and on, until every conceivable advocacy issue is covered. And when it is all tallied, what all this advocacy would have us spending on every issue to 'prevent' every conceivable problem, we would be spending $20 or $30 trillion per year and our lowest tax rate would be 99.3%.

Personally, I think that if you can't fill your military needs on $300 B-I-L-L-I-O-N (three hundred billion!!!!!!) per year, then it can't be done at any cost. There comes a point where spending more nets you no more.
 
"Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes. And armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended. Its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force of the people. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may be traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war . . . and in the degeneracy of manners and morals, engendered by both. No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare." James Madison, April 20, 1795

 
Damn Canadians, always right. You'll find this will offend the typical American who can't admit fault in herself or her nation.

The military's mandate is impossible to achieve under just about any budget as tscenter alluded to. Their mission spans over a hundred countries and costs a fortune to deploy and maintain. Clintion cut it down but failed to change the mission, thus weakening the military to a disgraceful degree.

I do wish America would stop picking it's arse and get back into politics. We're to blame for much of what the government is doing to the country and the world. 🙁
 
Originally posted by: Stark
"Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes. And armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended. Its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force of the people. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may be traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war . . . and in the degeneracy of manners and morals, engendered by both. No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare." James Madison, April 20, 1795
That sent a chill up my spine! Either I'm cold or that struck home.
 
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