[typing this on my phone] Your comments are very similar to those made by British and Soviet intelligence officers in the late 19th and 20th c., respectively. They were dismissing reports that suggested their military might was vulnerable to socioeconomic developments back home, particularly massive defense spending in proportion to economies that were declining or unresponsive to the rise of new nations on the global stage (i.e. the US). The telegraph and Telex systems they used back then were much faster relative to mail, but they only confirmed faster what many back home already suspected. Yes, speed of information is important, but it's only one of many tactical advantages, and even in today's world of asymmetrical and cyber warfare, nations cannot escape the reality that economic might = military might. The incredibly complex communication tools used to coordinate our full-spectrum superiority and network-centric operations costs several billions to purchase and maintain. That an infantryman in USFOR-A can tell Doha in seconds that an IED hit his team, and that the 2nd squad should proceed in a valley from a different way, or that a certain combatant group being photographed during a lavish evening meal meant an imminent suicide attack are critical pieces of info, but not the end be all of our military's future. For that, it's just hard, cold cash, and I'm pessimistic about our country's economic and educational future. I don't think America will suffer the fate of the Manchu Dynasty or any past major empire. Instead, it will continue to be a major player but minus the Cold War hegemony. In fact, I saw more East Asian businessmen in my trip to Chile than American ones, and I heard rumors of American investment bids being squashed by major Chinese acquisitions in the country's mining sector. It's already happening for those in the know. Since you mention "experience, accolades, and education", I am a college and university graduate, with a few years of experience working at the State Department, two investment banks, a military and public policy think tank, and working for several weeks under MNC-Iraq and CENTCOM in Baghdad and other cities.
Wow, you are insane and illogical to boot. I get it now, you are looking for any reason to attack me because you were utterly owned in the other thread. Let it out buddy. Say whatever you need to say to feel better. Nevermind that this thread is not about us. It's obvious you don't care about the topic here, I've tried to discuss it with you but you insist on making it about me. Have fun.
As an undergrad who aspires to work in diplomacy/international relations and who might take an internship at the American consulate, I'd be really interested in what it was like working at the State Department. that's just personal curiosity you don't have to oblige, but I am mighty interested in people who work in the field and who might have advice for the fledgling "next generation".
I think the problem comes from you coming on a USA forum, always speaking poorly of the USA and condemning our government. It gets old very easily especially to the older members (over 30) like myself that are past their "F the government" stage of life. We are all appreciative of different points of view, but a consistent negative one is too much.
Exactly - and he does not only speak poorly of the USA constantly, but also of Europe. And I simply doubt the basis for him to bring this pompous crap in here, considering he a) lacks firsthand experience of what he talks about, for the most part, b) the government he works for has a worse record than both that of the USA and those of Europe in nearly all aspects.
It's always fascinating to me how some of the members here can take a few anonymous comments from a couple of other members and make sweeping generalizations about damned near anything/everything. Latinos are increasing their numbers in America, therefore, we're in danger! It sounds just like the reaction of many Americans during the middle 19th century, when a "flood" of Irish immigrants came into this country during the Irish potato famine. That those same people were the sons and daughters of immigrants, or the grandchildren of immigrants themselves was forgotten in the fury of their righteous indignation at the deluge of "foreigners." Strange people who were taking away the lowest paid jobs in American society from "established" Americans. In 1850, 43% of American immigrants were Irish. Catholic churches were burned, there were riots against the presence of these Irish men and women, and their "children without number" of "lower intelligence" that stayed grouped together in "their own" neighborhoods in American cities. To the worried and upset Americans, the country appeared to be doomed. 110 years later, the descendant of an Irishman who immigrated here in 1850 was elected President. He was even an admitted Catholic and, somehow, the country survived. Imagine that. Oh, and to the person who was upset that America didn't kowtow to more ancient peoples and cultures overseas, guess what? Not doing so was a driving force of the American Revolution. It's in our "DNA." You're stuck with us.
Are you serious? Did you read my first post in this thread? I have nothing but good things to say about America when it comes to this topic. I'm a Houston Rockets fan from the freaking Middle East. I'm American educated. Both my brothers lived in Texas for a decade. A quarter of my family has been living there for a quarter of a century. MY NATIVE LANGUAGE IS ENGLISH, despite being Arab/Turkish/Iranian!! lol If you think I've been unfairly critical of AMERICA as a nation, I'll take that comment on board and try to see if it's true. If I have, I apologize, I must not be communicating my message well. In truth my position is that America is a great nation, I dislike the government's foreign policy towards the Middle East, and I am actually sad when I see things possibly degenerating inside the country. I think that is pretty much the same as many (if not most) Americans, and can't understand why you would be irritated by that. I'm also shocked that your problem is that I have a consistently negative point of view - yet you picked me out of a discussion with ATW?
The internet is an interesting place, because the ignorant and uneducated can spew off nonsense freely. The benefit, at the very least, is that folks like dbac can post and be rightfully scolded in anonymity, saving the embarrassment that would have come in public. Whoever referenced "Guns, Germs And Steel", I tip my hat to you. It should be mandatory reading. <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/u8AIyuTbe88" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> :grin:
are you implying that the white people who have been leading the country haven't done weird and shady things?
I find it hilarious that michael moore still gets quoted as being reputable. That is the cartoon that the southpark guys hate him for also. Notice how he ripped off their animation. Portraying the founders as cowards, smart.
what's america? we live in mexico http://blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/archives/2011/03/white_students.html
I love this thread. Dback816: I have not seen any comments from you of substance, just anger and disparagement at others opinions/observations. Might you deign to actually supply us with some of your vast wisdom?
