As someone that works directly with the military, I can tell you that you are flat out wrong.  Our military is not only decreasing in numbers, but it's also declining in culture.  That could be a whole other thread, but if you think that today's military is "feared" throughout the world you are wrong.  What is more important, if you think that our military right now is "up to the task" should a conflict start, you would probably be shocked to see how bad it is.

 

as a former military man who deployed in the height of the surge in one of the premier army brigades I can confirm this.  The disbanding of other brigades in that division (101st) and lowering of standards throughout the military along with many people (myself included) not wanting to be in an army that had lost its edge is a problem.  This is not the same military that initially invaded Afghanistan and Iraq nearly a decade ago.  Many of the leaders and top soldiers have retired/resigned or been relieved of duty for failure to adapt to the new kinder gentler army.


 

---

Go Jags!
*To stay up for atleast 2 years 3/6/17
2016 draft players I think will be good

• On the Fournette train, will be best back of his class 3/6/17
  
• Lattimore please,  Lockdowns on both sides would be nice
  
• Engram at TE and the MJD clone Samaje Perine
  

The numbers are decreasing yet the budget remains static. That tells me extremely poor management. How will pumping more money or firepower into the military restore culture? That isn't a budgetary problem or a size problem. That is a leadership problem. The current leadership is terrible and management of the military is horrible. This is coming from someone who was in the US Air Force, Active and Guard, for 8 years. I have been overseas and worked with multinational coalitions. They absolutely recognize that the US is by and large the most powerful military entity on this planet.

 

Now, as to why the Russians are putting aircraft in Syria? Because Russia supports Assad. Personally, I think the US should support Assad as well rather than the radical Islamic terrorists he is fighting. Russia is protecting their national interests as well as broadcasting their geopolitical presence in the Middle East. Why are they doing that? Because the United States is not. Why are they invading the Ukraine? First, the Crimean populace voted for it. Second, because the US has not told Russia to stop. No one has actually negotiated with Putin to even try and stop him. Failed leadership 100%. Vladimir Putin is not afraid of the US because, like I said, the leadership. You put a strong negotiator like Trump in their and I absolutely believe he could make Putin back down. He could do it without shutting down communications and starting a cold war with Russia.

 

You hit the nail on the head regarding this being a leadership problem.  It's not just leadership (or lack thereof) within the military, it's the lack of leadership from the highest ranking officer (the current President).

 

Do you really think that trying to talk to or negotiate with Vladamir Putin is going to get us anywhere?  Really?  Do you really think that Putin is going to listen to someone like Trump?

 

What he will take notice of is operations in the Baltic Sea, more U.S. ships operating globally and a missile defense shield in Poland.  That sends a much stronger message than "negotiating" and "talking".  We're not talking war here for those on the left that say that this is "warmongering", we are simply sending a message in terms that people like Putin will understand.  Show our strength and "put your money where your mouth is" so to speak.  That sends a more clear message than a "line in the sand", and when the line is crossed nothing happens.

---

There are 10 kinds of people in this world.  Those who understand binary and those who don't.

as a former military man who deployed in the height of the surge in one of the premier army brigades I can confirm this.  The disbanding of other brigades in that division (101st) and lowering of standards throughout the military along with many people (myself included) not wanting to be in an army that had lost its edge
is a problem.  This is not the same military that initially invaded Afghanistan and Iraq nearly a decade ago.  Many of the leaders and top soldiers have retired/resigned or been relieved of duty for failure to adapt to the new kinder gentler army.


 

 

This isn't just a problem in the Army.  I see it every day in the Navy.  Despite what many believe, our military is weak beyond belief and it pains me to see that.  I can honestly say right now that if we sent our current military to conduct Operation Desert Storm right now, we would probably fail.  Think about that.

---

There are 10 kinds of people in this world.  Those who understand binary and those who don't.

We have peace through strength. We militarily outspend all of our competitors by an enormous amount. No truly threatening nation will dare declare war on us or our allies. So why build it up more? Why not use the existing military strength and intelligent negotiations with first world nations? We don't need a more threatening military, it is already threatening enough. We need diplomatic resolutions. If you wanna flex on the Middle East or North Korea, whatever. Flexing on Russia is just silly though. Putin knows we outmatch them technologically and militarily. He also knows we don't have a leader that will utilize that strength correctly. Fiorina will misuse and abuse it, creating unnecessary tension and potentially another cold war. Russia could, and should, be an ally.

  

What the...we agree?! Crap.

 

Ditto.

Omg omg...there's peace in the Middle East...

---

Blakes Life Matters

You hit the nail on the head regarding this being a leadership problem.  It's not just leadership (or lack thereof) within the military, it's the lack of leadership from the highest ranking officer (the current President).

 

Do you really think that trying to talk to or negotiate with Vladamir Putin is going to get us anywhere?  Really?  Do you really think that Putin is going to listen to someone like Trump?

 

What he will take notice of is operations in the Baltic Sea, more U.S. ships operating globally and a missile defense shield in Poland.  That sends a much stronger message than "negotiating" and "talking".  We're not talking war here for those on the left that say that this is "warmongering", we are simply sending a message in terms that people like Putin will understand.  Show our strength and "put your money where your mouth is" so to speak.  That sends a more clear message than a "line in the sand", and when the line is crossed nothing happens.

So, basically, you want another Cold War.

---

as a former military man who deployed in the height of the surge in one of the premier army brigades I can confirm this.  The disbanding of other brigades in that division (101st) and lowering of standards throughout the military along with many people (myself included) not wanting to be in an army that had lost its edge is a problem.  This is not the same military that initially invaded Afghanistan and Iraq nearly a decade ago.  Many of the leaders and top soldiers have retired/resigned or been relieved of duty for failure to adapt to the new kinder gentler army.

When you're limited in action, play constant defense, afraid of reprisals from our own leaders if a shot was made without consent and having to kiss the collective arses of those who spit on us behind our back, then yes , morale crashes.


Like a team not getting penalized during a football game for anything, while the other team has to play very limited as to not get called on every play. The better team loses, and players demoralized.


We don't need to spend more on the military, we have to use it like its meant to be used.

---

Blakes Life Matters

So after watching the debates, I feel like I like Carson and Rubio the most.

---

When you're limited in action, play constant defense, afraid of reprisals from our own leaders if a shot was made without consent and having to kiss the collective arses of those who spit on us behind our back, then yes , morale crashes.


Like a team not getting penalized during a football game for anything, while the other team has to play very limited as to not get called on every play. The better team loses, and players demoralized.


We don't need to spend more on the military, we have to use it like its meant to be used.

 

...

 

no, not you too.  What's the world coming to?  I completely agree.  I am all for a strong military, i am all for rebuilding the elements that we have allowed to hollow out, but at the same time i think the idea that a hammer should cost 1200 is ridiculous. This is one of the things that John McCain pointed out in 2008.  I think that the systemic level of bureaucratic inefficiency that costs tax payers money is why we are seeing people from the private sector being given relatively inordinate consideration for the highest office.

---

So after watching the debates, I feel like I like Carson and Rubio the most.

 

I like your picks.  Care to explain why?

---

There are 10 kinds of people in this world.  Those who understand binary and those who don't.

The day following the debate Donald Trump held a town-hall in New Hampshire. Some radical asked him a question in which he accused Barack Obama of being a Muslim and said "We have training camps growing where they want to kill us. That’s my question, when can we get rid of them?”. Donald Trump laughed and replied “A lot of people are saying that and a lot of people are saying that bad things are happening out there. We’re going to be looking at that and a lot of different things.”

 

He is now catching heat because he did not correct the radical and say Obama is a Christian.

 

Should he apologize for not correcting the radical like McCain did in 2008? Should he even be catching heat? Thoughts?

 

Personally I feel it is absolutely silly to expect him to correct the questioner. He laughed at the question and gave a second-rate response. It was obvious watching the video that he didn't really care about the question. It just seems so insignificant, yet the MSM (Fox, CNN, MSNBC, etc) is of course making a HUGE ordeal about it. This whole "scandal" seems so obviously forced and it reeks of desperation to marginalize Trump.

---

The day following the debate Donald Trump held a town-hall in New Hampshire. Some radical asked him a question in which he accused Barack Obama of being a Muslim and said "We have training camps growing where they want to kill us. That’s my question, when can we get rid of them?”. Donald Trump laughed and replied “A lot of people are saying that and a lot of people are saying that bad things are happening out there. We’re going to be looking at that and a lot of different things.”

 

He is now catching heat because he did not correct the radical and say Obama is a Christian.

 

Should he apologize for not correcting the radical like McCain did in 2008? Should he even be catching heat? Thoughts?

 

Personally I feel it is absolutely silly to expect him to correct the questioner. He laughed at the question and gave a second-rate response. It was obvious watching the video that he didn't really care about the question. It just seems so insignificant, yet the MSM (Fox, CNN, MSNBC, etc) is of course making a HUGE ordeal about it. This whole "scandal" seems so obviously forced it is kind of sickening.

I suppose CNN and FOX have tired of his antics and are ready to move on to the new Flavorina of the Month.

 

I've only seen the clip once, in passing, but it didn't seem like the guy asking the question was very loud or clear. It's possible that Trump just didn't hear the whole thing clearly and, instead of asking the guy to speak up and repeat himself, he just answered what he heard.

 

It does seem like a forced controversy. As nuts as Trump is, I sincerely doubt that he believes President Obama to be a radical Muslim, or that there's a need to "get rid of" Muslims in America.

---

I like your picks.  Care to explain why?

 

I would say I'm down the middle with a slight right lean on more issues. I like that Rubio is young and enthusiastic. I like that he was born into a poor family and made a name of himself. I really like his views on education and immigration. Also, I worked in a VA hospital before and it was just a bad system. His stance on being aggressive on fixing the VA really impresses me.

 

I like that Carson isn't a politician by trade because I feel like too many politicians make empty promises. Also, as ignorant as this may be, I feel like having a black conservative in office could go a long way in mending the social divide that is crippling this country. 

 

 

Gun to my head I'd probably vote for Rubio right now, but admittedly I have a lot to learn about the candidates and my ears are open if you have some knowledge to bestow.

---

Will most of these guys pick their running mate from other guys on stage that drop out?

 

Who would Carson and Rubio likely run with?

---

Will most of these guys pick their running mate from other guys on stage that drop out?


Who would Carson and Rubio likely run with?

Carson would probably pick a veteran politician, and not necessarily someone from that stage. I could see Rubio choosing Rand Paul as a running mate, especially if it looks like Sanders will be the Democratic nominee.

---

Carson would probably pick a veteran politician, and not necessarily someone from that stage. I could see Rubio choosing Rand Paul as a running mate, especially if it looks like Sanders will be the Democratic nominee.

Can you explain why you think Rubio would go with Paul?


I just moved out of a very liberal college town where all of the hipsters there were diehard Ron Paul supporters. I can see all the hipsters buying the socialist pipe dreams Sanders is going to try to sell. I have no idea if that's why you think Paul would be the choice if Bernie runs for the democrats though lol.

---

Jaguar Warrior, I agree, it is pretty ridiculous and why I loathe politics.

---

Can you explain why you think Rubio would go with Paul?


I just moved out of a very liberal college town where all of the hipsters there were diehard Ron Paul supporters. I can see all the hipsters buying the socialist pipe dreams Sanders is going to try to sell. I have no idea if that's why you think Paul would be the choice if Bernie runs for the democrats though lol.

 

I don't understand those who view Paul and Sanders as anywhere close to being similar. Libertarianism stands for a very limited government. Socialism requires ceding total control of the economy to the government.

---

                                                                          

"Why should I give information to you when all you want to do is find something wrong with it?"

I don't understand those who view Paul and Sanders as anywhere close to being similar. Libertarianism stands for a very limited government. Socialism requires ceding total control of the economy to the government.

I didn't say I or anyone else thought they were similar.

---

Can you explain why you think Rubio would go with Paul?


I just moved out of a very liberal college town where all of the hipsters there were diehard Ron Paul supporters. I can see all the hipsters buying the socialist pipe dreams Sanders is going to try to sell. I have no idea if that's why you think Paul would be the choice if Bernie runs for the democrats though lol.

Paul is a respected veteran politician who appeals to a different crowd than Rubio. He's also the only Republican candidate who could draw votes away from Sanders.

---

Carson would probably pick a veteran politician, and not necessarily someone from that stage. I could see Rubio choosing Rand Paul as a running mate, especially if it looks like Sanders will be the Democratic nominee.

 

I disagree with the idea that Rubio would pick Rand Paul as a running mate.

---

There are 10 kinds of people in this world.  Those who understand binary and those who don't.