Wednesday, September 5, 2012

It's time to smell the coffee

When Obama named Leon Panetta to replace Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense, I remember thinking that at least we won’t have a red at the CIA any longer. And I reasoned that at DoD, which has more to do with politics than it ever did about defending America, we might be able to limit the damage of a man who is one of the least impressive people in the current government. But Obama didn’t put Panetta at DoD because of his vast intelligence, or his impressive military service, or even his understanding of complex issues involving research, development, and procurement. No, he put Panetta at DoD to help Obama destroy our nation’s department of defense.

This strategy does appear to be working. According to Greg Jaffe at the Washington Post, “For most of the past year, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has stressed that the vast military complex over which he presides is at a ‘strategic turning point.’ A decade of grinding guerilla war is drawing to close. Defense budgets are shrinking. The implication is that major changes are coming to the military … So far, however, Panetta has … steered clear of any bold moves aimed at remaking the military for this new era.”  (Z:  maybe waiting for Obama to win and then remake the military to Obama's design?...)

This may be true of Panetta, but it is not altogether true about the military services. The Navy-Marine Corps has always planned for the eventuality of future conflict, often examining scenarios decades into the future. This may be what we expect from our military services, but it isn’t always what we get. Both the Army and Air Force appear stymied about their roles in future conflict. They appear stuck in the cold war. We should anticipate this sort of lethargy whenever senior officers are more accustomed to air conditioning than they are to sand fleas, and whenever the Secretary of Defense lacks the boldness, vision, and fortitude to demand excellence from his service chiefs.

We need fewer powder puffs like Leon Panetta, fewer political generals like little Marty Dempsey, and more “in your face tigers” such as John Singlaub, James Mattis, Stan McChrystal, and Admiral McRaven. We need fewer four-star generals and admirals, and more flag rank warriors. We need a Defense Secretary who will go to bed at night worrying whether he did enough for the security of his country that day, not whether he made homosexuals feel good about themselves.

The DoD serves as but one example of what the Obama administration is doing to all of America’s erstwhile institutions. This is what happens when the American people elect a man to the presidency when that man has no idea what in the hell he’s doing. It makes sense, therefore, that he will appoint others who are equally confused, such as Panetta, Clinton, Holder, Napolitano, Salazar, Solis, Sebelius, LaHood, and Chu. In 2008, journalist Dean Reynolds claimed that Obama’s campaign aircraft smelled like poo; now the entire country is beginning to smell that way.

Wake up America.   (and I'm afraid it'll take a lot more than good, strong coffee to wake US up)


Question from Z: Will we ever have enough money to again build our military back up to where it should be?  Will we ever be safe without that?

Mustang Sends


66 comments:

Unknown said...

I don’t agree that spending money necessarily provides us with a strong military. What provides us with a strong national defense is, as this post seems to illustrate, wise stewardship of our national defense policy. We don’t need to spend gazillions of dollars on new jet aircraft when what we have today is easily 50 years ahead of anyone who might opposes us. If we spend money, spending it wisely is more important than how much. It would be helpful if politicians didn’t sell our most secret technology to Russia and China. It would be helpful if senior officials entrusted with our security were better leaders than politicians. It would be helpful if most Americans weren’t drinking Obama’s Kool-Aid.

Z said...

well, Jack, the experts are frequently saying 'the military is being gutted' and I think they mean financially, so I figure we're not in good shape.
I totally agree that it's spending wisely which is more important than throwing money at something(as the Dept. of Education, too, by the way)...our enemies seem so emboldened and I wonder if it's because they know our military isn't what it was...or as big, etc.?
Educate me!!

Sam Huntington said...

The size of Defense is overwhelming, Z. There are so many “department heads,” all competing to put forth their ideas. Many of these ideas are truly innovating and excellent, and costly. Someone at the top has to encourage such thinking, but then be able to say, “Okay, but not right now.” My sense is that there is nothing “weak” about America’s defense. Our enemies hold us in contempt because our leadership seems unwilling to use American power to America’s advantage, which means “wisely.” Thank you for this thought-provoking post.

Ducky's here said...

ere's mustang's hero, Mattis:
""You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil. You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them. Actually, it's a lot of fun to fight. You know, it's a hell of a hoot. It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right upfront with you, I like brawling."

A real ass.

Ducky's here said...

Singlaub was founder in 1981 of the United States Council for World Freedom, the U.S. chapter of the World Anti-Communist League (WACL). The chapter became involved with the Iran–Contra affair, with Associated Press reporting that, "Singlaub's private group became the public cover for the White House operation"

------
Another beauty.

Silverfiddle said...

Good post, but I also agree with Jack.

As Mustang points out, it's a mindset, not money.

Mustang said...

That’s right, Ducky. We need “In your face” warriors. What do you know about that, Ducky? Go ahead —regale us with your vast experience defending America. It should be a very short story. Men who slap around their women and slice off their genitalia are scum. They deserve to be shot. They have no manhood. But … to be completely fair, I can understand that lacking manhood yourself, you might favor such behavior.

I didn’t know about the World Anti-Communist League; now Singlaub occupies a much higher position in my overall esteem. Again, EXACTLY the kind of warriors we need leading MEN into combat.

Anonymous said...

Mustang, I agree totally with your asessment of Leon Panetta and the damage being done to our military. But

"...we might be able to limit the damage of a man who is one of the least impressive people in the current government."

there is stiff competition for the title of least impressive people in this administration. Romney and Ryan are going to need a lot of big brooms.

JonBerg said...

Hey, Thanks to our present Administration and the repeal of DADT, folks like Ducky may now "serve"!

Brooke said...

Z: Throwing money at any dept. never works... I think our enemies are emboldened because they know the current rules of engagement are utter BS!

Ducky's here said...

So you want to get in there and have a shooting war with Iran or what. mustang.

That should really quiet things and get the economy moving.

Anonymous said...

FROM Z:

SF; how's that "mindset, not money" affect our enemies?

Ducky; when you've been in the military, away from undercompensated wives and children and have yourself and your men threatened every single stinkin' minute while it's being suggested to you that your men need to read the Miranda Rights to terrorists or not shoot at the mosques which are "too holy" but have your guys being shot from those "too holy" places on a daily basis, come back and criticize our military leaders, okay? Thanks.

Mustang: Good point about anything ANTI-COMMUNIST, but you're talking to Ducky..remember.

JonBerg...pardon my ignorance, but what's DADT?

Brooke...excellent point

By the way, not to go off topic, but talk about wasted money: Dept of Education.
I think the children on LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE know their stuff more than our kids who have no discipline in schools.

CsOnFire...."stiff competition"...good one.

HEY, everybody...how'd you like them moving the Greek columns back into the 16,000 Center instead of the 74,000 football field? They're saying it's the WEATHER...Liberal operatives who've divulged to Conservative operatives are saying "WE COULDN"T FILL THE STADIUM...HOW WOULD THAT LOOK?" :)

Pray for Costa Rica, which just suffered a 7.9 quake!

Rational Nation USA said...

I couldn't stand to watch the convention, but felt that I owed it to my duty to the world of blogging. So I will admit that I did watch the part when while Michelle was speaking,
And no, she didn't disappoint, she put on the biggest line of horse manure that she was able to muster up. And it was exactly as I expected, a long line of total BS. Strictly for the Kool-aid drinkers to buy.
But nevertheless the audience of dingbats ate it up.
Lets face it she poured it on lies and all like never before so that she won’t have to give up that luxurious life of being the First Lady of the World, living in the White House and Vacationing the globe on our dime. In fact it looked like the First Wookie was fighting to keep her job.
The team of liars Bill and Hill have nothing on the team Barrack and Moochie believe me.
But when you take away all the glitz and glamor of Moochie in her Party Dress, the bottom line is simple, repeat the past 4 years of total absolute failure or a future with a new team with proven business background and a real plan for this nations recovery

And on another note, why did Debbie Wasserman Schultz ( Democratic National Chairman) deliberately take the word “GOD” OUT OF THEIR PLATFORM? Oh you didn’t hear that? This is the story... That pathetic, vile woman who is totally incapable of telling the truth, like all the rest of the Democrats.
In an interview with Piers Morgan last night, Democratic National Chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz defended the Democratic platform last night even though the word “God” Was Taken Out. Wasserman Schulz refused to admit that it was a ‘mistake,’ reminding Morgan that “our values are reflected in our policies.” “The thing is, somebody has deliberately taken out the word God because it was in the last one,” Morgan said. “I can assure that no one has deliberately taken God out of our platform.” Wasserman Schultz insisted. “So it was an accident.” Morgan said. Wasserman Schultz refused to answer.
And Dick Dustbin had a panic attack Bret Bair when asked the same question, all he was able to do was change the subject..
Hummm, "God" was in the platform statement and now "God" has been removed. So tell me, how is that not deliberate?

cube said...

I think Panetta is waiting for BO's reelection. Everything can be so much more flexible then.

Anonymous said...

FROM Z:

REdneck, are you kidding me? An ACCIDENT? Ya, sure.
As they take GOD out of anything in the platform and applaud like an Oprah audience getting free cars for ABORTION! ABORTION! ABORTION!? :-)

(you're right, Redneck)

And, do NOT FORGET...we call Debbie "Debbie WasserPERSON Schultz" because she's a liberal and we don't want MAN in there as it's too gender specific!! :-) (like that? It wasn't my idea but I loved it)

CUBE: No doubt about it....right after Obama is elected and also helps Russia along..remember?

JonBerg said...

Z,

"Don't Ask Don't Tell"

Clinton implemented this as a result of the issue of homosexuals serving in the Military. As I recall, such was disallowed but as long as it wasn't evident service was allowed. B.O. repealed this and, apparently, they are now free to 'run wild'!

Anonymous said...

@JonBerg

"folks like Ducky may now "serve"!

"folks"...like ducky wouldn't serve if the company barracks were in a Marriott, he got room and maid service or breakfast in bed served by barney franks 'friends'.

Anonymous said...

FROM Z:

Thanks, Jon...I don't always get the acronyms!
Yes, I remember DADT....I feel for the vast majority of soldiers who really don't want to shower or sleep with men who they know are gay. I also hate the amount we've had to pay for unplanned pregnancies for women service personnel who've become pregnant on active duty, in submarines (where they shouldn't be, anyway, with men), etc.
We put people barely in their twenties, some married, with people of the opposite sex for months on end and expect them to have respond honorably TODAY IN OUR COUNTRY? HOW DARE US? (Sarcasm)

Anonymous said...

MUSTANG! Did you block comments on a piece down below?! I just wrote THE MOST ROCKIN' comment (if I may say so !) to Liberalmann's silly comment and it didn't publish and then I saw comment moderation had been enacted! (or was it I who'd done it!?..maybe so!)
ah, well....

Anonymous said...

@Mustang...

" Again, EXACTLY the kind of warriors we need leading MEN into combat."

Exactly. But remember he holds men like Allen West in utter contempt.

I'm hoping that Mitt will offer/ make West SOD.

Anonymous said...

This just came into my email box...



Try this short quiz to see which 2012 presidential candidate you side with...

http://www.isidewith.com/presidential-election-quiz

JonBerg said...

Anynomus said....

FROM Z

Yes Liberals seem to think that the mission of the Military is, as all else such as our economy, just another social program. There WILL be a cost to this folly!

Mustang said...

@ Z

Comment moderation is off but there were three comments waiting approval. I published them.

Go figger ...

Mustang said...

Imp ... I side with Romney 96% of the time, and with Johnson 86% of the time. Interesting quiz ... thank you for the link.

Semper Fi

Mustang said...

Radical Redneck, I personally think that Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a pig, but I try not to say that too often because there are SOME PEOPLE who comment here who think she is HOT.

I know ... sad, isn't it?

Constitutional Insurgent said...

The problem with "where the military should be" is that military professionals cannot even agree with what the 21st century model should look like...never,mind the politicians.

And though the politico's set policy and control the purse-strings, one has to wade through so much hyperbole and falsifications, to render meaningful debate on the subject, near impossible.

BTW...scored 91% with Johnson. Makes sense that I'll be voting for him.

Right Truth said...

It will be interesting to see what Romney will do if elected.

Debbie
Right Truth
http://www.righttruth.typepad.com

JonBerg said...

99% Romney

Anonymous said...

To the Progress Goddess of Fact Check
National Public Radio, among other mainstream media outlets, whitewashed First Lady Michelle Obama's fib-filled speech to the Democratic National Convention last night. At the end of a roundup of perfunctory attempts to fact-check some of the Democrats' speeches, NPR gave Mrs. Obama a clean bill of health: "As for first lady Moochel Obama's address to the convention, the fact checkers don't seem to have any faults to find."That is because they weren't looking. The basic premise of Moochel Obama's speech--that she and her husband had struggled economically like so many other Americans--is false. Not only did they enjoy many advantages that others do not, but CNS News reports that Barack Obama inherited half a million dollars in stock from his grandmother, a bank vice president who Moochel misleadingly cited as a victim of gender discrimination.

If Barack Obama was an impoverished student, for example, it would certainly have been news to his friends, who included rich Pakistani socialites. He dabbled in recreational drugs such as cocaine--hardly a cheap thrill--and traveled to Indonesia and Pakistan while still at college. Barack Obama is known to have a penchant for exaggeration, having embellished much of his memoir; it seems that tendency is shared by his wife as well.

The mainstream media was so eager to pronounce If Barack Obama was an impoverished student, for example, it would certainly have been news to his friends, who included rich Pakistani socialites. He dabbled in recreational drugs such as cocaine--hardly a cheap thrill--and traveled to Indonesia and Pakistan while still at college. Barack Obama is known to have a penchant for exaggeration, having embellished much of his memoir; it seems that tendency is shared by his wife as well.
The mainstream media was so eager to pronounce Moochel Obama's address a triumph, a "grand slam," gushed Wolf Blitzer of CNN that they did not even bother to check the truth of the stories

Sam Huntington said...

People never stop to think about the kind of persons a presidential candidate will appoint to office if elected. This is because voters have such confidence in their candidate, they must trust him with having good sense in the selection of a cabinet.

This brings us to wonder where all that popular confidence came from in the election of Barack Obama. It leads us to conclude Americans have failed in their solemn duty.

The costs have been so very high ...

Shaw Keeawe said...

I know that I’m a bit late on the Clint Eastwood story, but I’d like to add my thoughts here anyway... Personally I thought he was absolutely hilarious, and yes, he knew exactly what he was doing and saying. And NO, he wasn’t at all bazaar . The only problem is, his shots that were aimed at Obama were above the average leftwingnut's reading and comprehension level. They aren't smart enough to know how so owned they were that night. They were to busy picking on an 82 years old man's hair, and the stuttering that was all part of his performance.. Maybe they need to quit shaming the words "democracy" and "liberal" and change their party name to "superficial, shameless BS no matter what" And lets see the rest of the parade of Clowns brought in be the democrats. I wonder if Jane Fonda will be their surprise speaker?

Mustang said...

My, my, my ... here's a surprise.

The Department of Defense is pushing back on criticism that its absentee voting program is ineffective, a problem critics say could result in a lower military turnout in this fall’s presidential election.

Obama, Panetta, and the DNC love making sure that people who put their lives on the line to ensure democracy, are denied an opportunity to participate in it.

Paul Woloski said...

How can Obama actually show his face in public with his economic record...After he buried us so far in debt with over 16 trillion dollars!

Constitutional Insurgent said...

@Mustang - Of course it's Obama's fault...the DoD never jacks up anything....../sarc

Mustang said...

Actually, that is my point CI ... leadership is a top down proposition. Obama is, like it or not, the Commander in Chief.

We can --we must do better.

Constitutional Insurgent said...

Point taken Mustang. Sometimes it's difficult to parse whether a comment is illustrating a cogent point - like yours.....or if it's simply more of the hyperbole that gets ratcheted up during the campaign season.

Pris said...

A vote was taken on the floor of the convention just awhile ago, led by Villaragosa. It was a vote to put back in the platform, the words God, and Jerusalem.

He took it three times, because it was so close. It sounded like a tie! But rather than take a vote state by state, it was a voice vote from the floor, with the people screaming to Yes or No.

Villaragosa finally ruled it passed with a 2/3rds yes vote.

Obviously those leaders who were backing down from leaving these words out, were desperate to put them back in for political reasons. The vote was a sham, there's no way 2/3rds voted yes.

Anonymous said...

FROM Z:

All wonderful remarks, thanks so much.

I'm at work so let me just address Mustang: The Dem Party's media has annihilated Republicans for even suggesting that, in America, we need a fair, honest way of voting; with only citizens voting. They've said, as you know, that we're trying to deny legitimate voters..>AS IF.

But the DoD is now doing this?
Are we NUTS? Has the media weighed in ?

And PRIS:

Astonishing...they've had SO much push-back on the God and Jerusalem thing (anybody just catch the connection I just did when typing those two words!? HOLY COW!)...that they're putting them back INTO the platform?

It was 8 mentions in 2002, I believe...2 mentions in 2008...now 0....but they're putting it back.

:) hypocrites....how awful they are.
And the media will remain quiet so most Americans just don't know HOW BAD they are.

Unknown said...

Democrats overwhelmingly repudiate Israel and reject God. The God of democrats is government. One can't serve two masters ...

Given the foregoing, one cannot help but wonder why so many Jews are Democrats, but of course we have the same question about blacks. Maybe it’s chloride in the water.

Chuck said...

Look at what the DoD is up to now

http://www.washingtonguardian.com/ballot-buck-passing

Anonymous said...

FROM Z:

Robert, funny you should ask that today...I just got back from a late lunch with a Jewish Conservative friend who said only very few of his Jewish friends have switched from Obama. They're intelligent and interested in politics, so their decision is not solely based on the dissing of Israel (did you know that there's a group headed by America which has formed to protect countries from Iran...which has missiles aimed at all of them....starting from israel through to Arabia, including Turkey, etc., only Israel has been told by Turkey it shouldn't be allowed into it AND , if they come, they're practicing what I'd call JEWISH JIM CROW as the TUrks are LITERALLY telling Jewish representatives "if you come, you use the side door"...that's the truth, from a very well known think tank I can't quote here)...
And, all of this through the Obama administration....

ALSO, did you know Debbie WasserPERSON Schultz is the head of a group of Democrats whose chore it is to convince Jews that Obama is PRO ISRAEL? Yup.

ALSO...the platform does NOT include keeping Jerusalem for Israel; unlike it was four years ago...

ALL not mentioned in the White House Media arm:(CBS, NBC,CNN, MSNBC, etc)

FreeThinke said...

BENZEDRINE, anyone?

~ FT

FreeThinke said...

AHEM! A Jewish Jim Crow would have to be called be Jim CROHEN, Z.

•<);-D§

~ FT

Anonymous said...

@Z..

"ALL not mentioned in the White House Media arm:(CBS, NBC,CNN, MSNBC, etc).."

Why are you even surprised by this Z?

( The LSM, I mean )

Think about it for a minute.

Anonymous said...

@Prisc...

"It was a vote to put back in the platform, the words God, and Jerusalem...."


If one ever doubted that we are in a civil war...a war for the future of this country...it's morality and direction...this is enough proof...that the demrat thugs...and the Jews for not standing up and against these anti semites...anti Israel....anti faith.....anti constitution...anti law....anti national security...anti borders...anti military...anti defense...anti work...anti family.....anti voter ID...anti ethics....anti women...

let us know.

Anonymous said...

After listening to this one particular turd at the DNC...I know we're in a war for the soul of this country.

The feral beasts....are at the gate. All of us...are in jeopardy if they succeed.

Anonymous said...

From Hot Air....

"Here’s the hourly schedule, in case you’re among the tiny minority of readers who’d rather watch three hours of identity politics, class warfare, and union stoogery than the Giants/Cowboys season opener.

BuzzFeed’s quite right that Democrats ran a two-track program last night, larding up the early evening hours with base-pleasing crap about “choice” and organized labor and reserving the 10 p.m. hour for pretend centrism.

Same deal tonight, more or less. Between 6 p.m. ET and 10, you’ll see AFL-CIO don Richard Trumka; abortion warriors Cecile Richards, Sandra Fluke ( supreme dem whore ), and Diana DeGette; amnesty super-shill Rep. Luis Gutierrez ( Identity politics and racist ), who once declared that his only loyalty is to “the immigrant community”; and Pelosi ( retarded and mentally ill )and Chuck Schumer, just to mainstream things a bit. Then at 10 comes Fauxcahontas, who’s not really a centrist but needs to pose as one to impress Massachusetts swing voters who broke for Scott Brown three years ago. And then comes The Big Dog, who’s going to try to keep a straight face while reassuring America that Obama’s agenda will be just as good for economic growth as his own was.

Paul Ryan had some fun with that idea today. Expect more soon from the RNC ad team.

Kid said...

the democrat party starting with clinton for sure, has decimated the military and intelligence communities as a major agenda item.

Let me know if you want some detail, but I think we're all up to speed.

Anonymous said...

Bill Clinton...whore-master, liar, disbarred lawyer and hypocrite...shilling for the HNIC...they'll do and say anything won't they...except to stand by their ummmm..."principles"...

"There’s only one president who actually came from Hope.

Former President Bill Clinton — a native of Hope, Ark. — is expected to offer a rousing endorsement of President Barack Obama in his speech Wednesday night at the Democratic National Convention. But four years ago, while his wife Hillary competed for the Democratic nomination, Clinton wasn’t always so supportive of Obama’s “hope and change” message.

(Also on POLITICO: Clinton's big speech a mystery)

Here are Bill Clinton’s most controversial quotes about Obama:

1. “The idea that one of these campaigns is positive and the other is negative when I know the reverse is true and I have seen it and I have been blistered by it for months is a little tough to take. Just because of the sanitizing coverage that’s in the media doesn’t mean the facts aren’t out there.” — Jan. 7, 2008; New Hampshire campaign stop

2. “I think that they played the race card on me. We now know, from memos from the campaign, that they planned to do it all along.” — April 21, 2008, WHYY News Radio

3. “In theory, we could find someone who is a gifted television commentator and let them run. They’d have only one year less experience in national politics.” — Dec. 15, 2007, PBS’s “Charlie Rose”

4. “Give me a break. This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I’ve ever seen.” — Jan. 7, 2008, addressing Obama’s record on Iraq during a New Hampshire stop

5. “Hillary’s opponent, in his entire campaign, every two or three weeks has said for months and months and months, beginning in Nevada, that really there wasn’t much difference in how America did when I was president and how America’s done under President Bush. Now, if you believe that, you should probably vote for him, but you get a very bad grade in history.” — April 17, 2008, Lock Haven, Pa., campaign speech

6. “Jesse Jackson won South Carolina in ’84 and ’88. Jackson ran a good campaign. And Obama ran a good campaign here.” — Jan. 26, 2008, to reporters in Columbia, S.C.

7. “I mean, when’s the last time we elected a president based on one year of service in the Senate before he started running? I mean, he will have been a senator longer by the time he’s inaugurated, but essentially once you start running for president full time you don’t have time to do much else.” — Dec. 15, 2007, PBS’s “Charlie Rose”

8. “Oh, I think yes.” – Dec. 20, 2011, Fox News, when asked if the media favored Barack Obama during the 2008 election.

Kid said...

IMP.... I believe we are at war with The Losers.......
Seriously. Imagine.
My current post btw.

Anonymous said...

@Kid...

"IMP.... I believe we are at war with The Losers....."


Thanks...we all know we are and we should be terrified at the possibility of this POS getting reelected....on race...on handouts...on his offer to these Losers..that gubbamint...wil cure you and support you...and save your life.

The same POS that we've spent 5 trillion dollars of our tax money to "cure".


And we still have the same ole GD problems...that they think can be "cured" by more.


There must be a line in the sand....there must be an accounting...there must be an end to this crap.

Kid said...

IMP, If they win.... we know it's the end. From one view, at least that will draw the line in the sand and give "us" the ability to know exactly what we need to deal with going forward.

It's the uncertainty that is most dehibilatating.

Anonymous said...

@Kid...

call me what you want..

but...

"IMP.... I believe we are at war with The Losers....."


And they are are coming after us...to support them....none of these loser assholes know anything other than...the gubbmint....handouts.

Can't say as I blame them in one regard...why work when you don't have to?

The PM's...are now in control.

Z said...

FT...how about ARSENIC? :-)

Did you know Elizabeth Warren and the Dems did EVERYTHING in this country to improve it? ;)

Anonymous said...

I see..every demrat as a burka wearing bastard hoodlum and terrorist.

You too duckk. I wouldn't use your liver as an ingredient...

Kid said...

IMP, I wouldn't call anything but IMP. Maybe a cab?

Bloviating Zeppelin said...

We need a SERIES of JOHN BOYDs!

BZ

Bob said...

If anyone has a memory of Leon Panetta, they will remember that Panetta was the most loyal operative in defending Bill Clinton, and never hesitated to lie in Clinton's behalf. Why is anyone surprised when Panetta's performance is not what one would expect from the Secretary of Defense? After all, his allegience is not to the United States of America, but to the left wing of the Democrat Party.

Z: We can only do what we can when it comes to funding the military. First of all, the Democrats hate the military because it is effective in defending freedom. Secondly, we always have to spend twice as much as necessary to bring the military up to an effective posture after the Democrats raid the US Defense for all the welfare money they can steal.

Marine4ever said...

Okay. Everybody has had their turn(s.) Now it's MY turn to leave my jewels of wisdom -- which I can't 'cause I gotta keep it clean on this site.

Let's just say that between Mustang and all the rest of the like-minded... YEAH!

Marine4ever said...

But I gotta put one more thing in. Mustang may, or may not, agree with me on this.

Back to the original question from Z: "Will we ever have enough money to again build our military back up to where it should be? Will we ever be safe without that?"

I don't know. I only have thoughts on the future of the Marine Corps.

I am a combat Viet Nam Marine. From the beginning of our history, we were formed as a expeditionary force. Somewhere, over the time, the Marine Corps began to be used as a second "army." America doesn't need, want and can't afford a second "army." To ensure our future, we -- as a Corps -- MUST go back to our tradition of being "lean, mean and green."

Lean, in that we cut back to the bare necessaries; mean, as in being the "first in" shock troops, using whatever methods and equipment afforded us; green -- Semper Fi, Always Faithful.

Leave the winning of the hearts and minds of men and the building of schools, hospitals and libraries to others. Our ONLY function should be to assault by land, air and/or sea -- to take and then hold ONLY until it can be turned over to other powers -- to move on to the next objective. If we don't do this, we -- as a Corps -- are on 'life support' and sooner THAN later, the plug is going to be pulled.

Semper Fi!

Mustang said...

Marine4 should be a flag rank officer in the Pentagon.

Marine4ever said...

With all due respect, Sir... the Pentagon? You'd wish that on a fellow Marine?! LMAO!

Anonymous said...

FROM Z:

I think that VETERANS MONEY is defense spending...
And we need SO much to help veterans, particularly those who've been wounded so badly.
That's a huge part of defense spending, no?

I'm ALL for "Lean and Mean" as long as our enemies get that while we might not look like we have hundreds of thousands in the service, we have equipment that acts like MILLIONS in the service, you know?

I can tell you know mr. Z worked on The Roland...do any of you know that?

z

Ed Bonderenka said...

Roland is my middle name..

Z said...

Ed, you crack me UP :-)

Marine4ever said...

Mrs.Z, I may need to clarify my 'lean and mean' statement. That was in reference to the Marine Corps ONLY. The Corps'watch phrase is, "We've done so much, with so little, for so long that we can do anything, with nothing, forever."

America's defense should NEVER be lean! NEVER! During peace time, or when drawing down from war, is when we should be gearing up for war.

A sign was over nearly every hatch, aboard nearly every vessel or base I was aboard -- "THE MORE YOU SWEAT IN PEACE, THE LESS YOU BLEED IN WAR."

The Democrats (who shall, forever more, be known as Communists by Mustang and me -- the credit goes to Mustang 'cause he thought it up) have NEVER grasped the concept of PEACE THROUGH SUPERIOR FIREPOWER.