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Campaign Obama Is Stepping Up to the Plate?

BekenzeBekenze
edited January 2012 in General Banter
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16438584

From the article:

"In an editorial, official news agency Xinhua said President Barack Obama's move to increase US presence in the region could come as a welcome boost to stability and prosperity.

But it said any US militarism could create ill will and "endanger peace".

Mr Obama also plans $450bn (£290bn) in cuts to create a "leaner" military.

Thousands of troops are expected to be axed over the next decade under the far-reaching defence review.

The defence budget could also lose another $500bn at the end of this year after Congress failed to agree on deficit reduction following a debt-ceiling deal in August 2011.

Mr Obama said the "tide of war was receding" in Afghanistan and that the US must renew its economic power.

...

But a 10-15% reduction to the US Army and the Marine Corps is being considered over the next decade - amounting to tens of thousands of troops, Obama administration officials have told US media."


Comments?

Comments

  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    edited January 2012
    Of course, but we really didn't have a choice but to cut defense because of our economy.
  • personperson Don't believe everything you think The liminal space Veteran
    I'm totally ignorant of the details but I would imagine the US could do without or with smaller bases in Europe and elsewhere. I can't imagine a situation where there would be all out war between two major powers that would require such a massive force. China and the US depend on one another too much economically for that too happen IMO. Plus we need the money too much for other things right now. Lets focus our military resources on intelligence and special ops.
  • BekenzeBekenze
    edited January 2012
    Of course, but we really didn't have a choice but to cut defense with our economy.
    I agree, @Telly03, but in the article, still some Republicans think this is a bad thing that Obama is doing.
  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    Of course, but we really didn't have a choice but to cut defense with our economy.
    I agree, @Telly03, but in the article, still some Republicans think this is a bad thing that Obama is doing.
    True, but you always get this, especially near elections.... It doesn't matter if one side saves the world economy and achieves world piece, the other side is going to complain and find fault, steal credit, pass blame... It's their charter, it's what they do... Dems do it, Reps do it.
  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    It's true that politicians will always twist things to suit their own purposes. I would add however that this is not just a phenomenon of the current election cycle. The GOP, ever since I can remember, has been universally in favor of increasing defense spending almost without exception, while the Democrats usually take a more nuanced approach, with targeted cuts and (sometimes) closer scrutiny of the DoD's spending. I don't recall any major GOP legislator or president who was in favor of reducing military spending with the exception of Dwight Eisenhower - after he left office. The "draconian" automatic cuts that would take effect if congress doesn't act to raise the debt ceiling would slash Pentagon spending all the way back to the bare-bones level of spending we had in FY 2007. I can't imagine how the DoD could survive such slashing. Our military in 2007 was a mere shadow of its current self. Right?
  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    Your right @mountains , or can I also call you Teddy Bear? ... Dems have always been for trimming the military, while the Reps have always worked to bolster.... I have been through the cuts and growths before in my career, but the current cuts feel different. The military and Intel leaders, who are typically more "right" biased, are swallowing the cuts while agreeing that it is the right thing to do, and if then Rep politicians are fighting the idea, I have missed it. I actually sat through a meeting with Gen Alexander today, Dir of NSA, and the cuts was one of the questions thrown at him... He said that with economy condition, no one can argue that it is the right thing to do, and the military and Intel communities are aggressively taking on the challenge of making it all work while taking very large cuts, now, and years to come. Thousands of military members are being asked to leave, and these are members with numerous deployments under their belts.... Pretty sad to ask so much from them, then tell them we don't need you anymore, but this is the reality of our debt and broken economy
  • TheswingisyellowTheswingisyellow Trying to be open to existence Samsara Veteran
    Very interesting Telly, thanks for the insight.
  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    We've operated since the end of WWII on the assumption that the well was bottomless. But now we've found the bottom.
  • TheswingisyellowTheswingisyellow Trying to be open to existence Samsara Veteran
    We've operated since the end of WWII on the assumption that the well was bottomless. But now we've found the bottom.
    I agree. We do as all empires have done, we have outgrown and outspent ourselves.

  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    edited January 2012
    Hooray for Telly! And Dr. Bear. Or is it: Nurse-anesthetist Bear? Of course we have to cut the military along with so many jobs cuts and so forth. But is it true they're only cutting back to 2007 levels? That's nothing!

    *sigh* :shake:
  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    The automatic cuts that would (allegedly) have kicked in if the debt ceiling wasn't raised would do that, yes.

    You'll recall I bailed on CRNA school, right? Old news :)
  • ArjquadArjquad Veteran
    This was on the news last night. While it is true that there are going to be major cutbacks and a much smaller budget with less troops, the military will focus in drone and robotic warfare instead. The goal is to limit the use of ground troops which would be cheaper and cut back on the amount of deaths. Robotics is a huge part of today's military and it will play an even bugger role in the future.
  • DaltheJigsawDaltheJigsaw Mountain View Veteran
    edited January 2012
    Interesting! It all takes time, I see him trying at least. Thanks for sharing!
  • BekenzeBekenze
    Robotics is a huge part of today's military and it will play an even bugger role in the future.
    Like when they take over.
  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    The use of drones is already creating enormous problems for the military that nobody saw coming. Geographically separated PTSD, problems between enlisted and officers, etc, etc.
  • personperson Don't believe everything you think The liminal space Veteran
    Robotics is a huge part of today's military and it will play an even bugger role in the future.
    Like when they take over.
    :lol:

    I recommend Robopocalypse
  • LittleMightyLittleMighty
    What was the size of our Military Pre 9/11? I would guess that it has increased significantly due to the war and our extensive presence over seas.
  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    You'll recall I bailed on CRNA school, right? Old news :)
    Oh, right. So it's just: Nurse Bear.
    The use of drones is already creating enormous problems for the military that nobody saw coming. Geographically separated PTSD, problems between enlisted and officers, etc, etc.
    How so? Can you tell us more?
    Robotics. *scoff* As if it's the General Motors factory floor. This sounds like a disaster in the making. Automate the army, yeah, that sounds like a good idea.

  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    edited January 2012
    The use of unmanned aerial vehicles is an example..... Even though the use saves tons of resources, the problem I see is that it dehumanizes the war. For example, you now have someone pulling a trigger from what they see from a monitor instead of being there. I would imagine that removing the emotions gathered from being on the scene removes a lot room for compassion, the realization that women and children, or other innocents are present, things like this that can't be conveyed through a monitor that looks exactly like the unreal fantasy viewing of a video game.
  • vinlynvinlyn Colorado...for now Veteran
    The use of unmanned aerial vehicles is an example..... Even though the use saves tons of resources, the problem I see is that it dehumanizes the war. For example, you now have someone pulling a trigger from what they see from a monitor instead of being there. I would imagine that removing the emotions gathered from being on the scene removes a lot room for compassion, the realization that women and children, or other innocents are present, things like this that can't be conveyed through a monitor that looks exactly like the unreal fantasy viewing of a video game.
    I think that's a good point, but I think it is somewhat balanced by an increased effort to limit civilian casualties (which wasn't always there in the past...and I know isn't always successful), and the closer to pinpoint accuracy of many modern weapons.

  • DakiniDakini Veteran
    the problem I see is that it dehumanizes the war. For example, you now have someone pulling a trigger from what they see from a monitor instead of being there.
    This is the point I wanted to make, but I couldn't articulate it. Good job, Telly. Whaddaya know, we're agreeing again! :)

  • Telly03Telly03 Veteran
    edited January 2012
    @dakini Scary eh :)
  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    ....Robotics is a huge part of today's military and it will play an even bugger role in the future.
    something about those in control in the Pentagon being assholes, springs to mind....

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