The military

[Patton3]

The U.S. military is the most powerful military in the world. Through sheer intimidation it has kept us out of multiple wars and has fought the good fight in the name of the United States. It takes young men and women and moulds them into extremely competent individuals. It is also a great source of National pride. However, due to no fault of it's own it has caused the death of millions, many of them the best people in this country. I look forward to the day when we can follow the example of Costa Rica's leader Oscar Arias and declare "Peace with the world" and eliminate any need for the military. Hopefully by our example other nations would follow. This could lead to a world with out war, not without violence, but without war. This would also free up billions of dollars that could be spent on other things such as education, healthcare, diplomacy. If this lofty dream could be realized it could be mankind's greatest achievement, a world where all peoples, all nations are in a state without war and its horrible effects. Where the military will always serve as an example of heroism and self sacrifice and a reminder of what war does to nations. Now I realize this is a lofty dream, but a beautiful one none the less, is it not? I know it will not be seen within my lifetime but I have hope that perhaps my descendants will one day see this, a world where nations do not pit their best men and women against each other, where we co-operate for the greater good. As well, few people thought Martin Luther King's dream was impossible as little as twenty years ago. Yet we have taken a massive step towards it. So no, it's not likely, but it is a great thing to work towards, even if it only partially succeeds.

[JeremieCompNerd]

I would love to see the day that the military is no longer needed, but there is no true trust in the world of today. Until all nations can trust each other not to shoot them in the back the moment they let the forces go, nobody will take the first step. A shame, given that if any of the larger nations did drop all forms of military, including ICBM's, war machines of land, air and water, and human resources, then the other nations would be more likely to perceive that they could be safe without such measures and your dream could be realized.

[HomicidialFrog]

Pfft, I know Wars can be violent and bloody...And I'm against them all the way..

But unlike you Peace-Wanters I think: "I don't think the world will ever be at peace...Unless one World would be controlled by one country".

So to get peace...Is to takeover the world!

All I do is...

A. Become British Prime Minister.

B. Secretly have meetings with the U.S President. (In hope that he'll not be blind and think..."ZOMG YOU ARE THE WAR-BRINGERS"

C. If he accepts I'll be ruling the 2nd most powerfulest country...And joined with the MOST powerfulest country.

D. Canada, Australia and other British countries will Accept my offer for World Peace using World War...

E. Ask every goverment in the world to join my cause.

F. Conquer the remaining countries. (Only if all the goverments don't accept my offer.)

G. I am now Prime Minister of the world...And will be remembered throughout History as the guy who brought War...And repayed with Peace.

H. Celebrate!

[Der-Lowe]

At 12/13/08 09:46 PM, CashClock wrote: Pfft, I know Wars can be violent and bloody...And I'm against them all the way..

But unlike you Peace-Wanters I think: "I don't think the world will ever be at peace...Unless one World would be controlled by one country".

So to get peace...Is to takeover the world!

All I do is...
H. Celebrate!

You forgot

?????
Profit!!!

Anyway, although a little maniac, I think your way is the only way to ensure peace. By this I mean, to have a world government. I surely hope it is not achieved by the means you mentioned, that is, through a war, but through a development of diplomatic relationships among countries. When the regional unity is finally perfected (UE, NAFTA, etc), I think there is no reason for a unity among regional blocks, so as to finally get a unified race.
I don't think there is another way to end wars; there is simply no incentive to stop developing/buying weapons, as Game Theory proves. If you are the leader of a nation, it makes sense for you to get a military, even if your opponent do not.
If you get one, and the others do, well, you're safe.
If you get one, and the others do not, it's conquering time.
If you don't get one, and the others do, you're screwed.
If you don't get one, and the others don't, win.

So there it is always convenient to develop your military, no matter what the other person does.

[HomicidialFrog]

At 12/13/08 10:09 PM, Der-Lowe wrote:

At 12/13/08 09:46 PM, CashClock wrote:

You forgot

?????
Profit!!!

Anyway, although a little maniac, I think your way is the only way to ensure peace. By this I mean, to have a world government. I surely hope it is not achieved by the means you mentioned, that is, through a war, but through a development of diplomatic relationships among countries. When the regional unity is finally perfected (UE, NAFTA, etc), I think there is no reason for a unity among regional blocks, so as to finally get a unified race.
I don't think there is another way to end wars

Hell yeah, having a World Goverment would make World Peace...If all else fails on the Diplomatic Plan by getting Countries to join my cause for Peace...I'd have to use War to get Peace.

Well, that's what you idiotic people who refused me gets...FUCKING MASS GENOCIDE!
MUHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

[InsertFunnyUserName]

This whole issue is a catch 22 situation.

We will only not need a military when there is wold peace, but due to human nature, there will only be world peace when there are no militaries.

[Lindione]

Wars bewtween are fought for several reasons. These are pride, ignorance, and resources.

Pride is rarely the reason, more commonly what lights the fuse. One leader insults the other and two different peoples grow angry at each other, demonizing the other. So to protect their "honor" or some principle, they go to war.

Ignorance will ussually manifest itself as racism or nationalism or religious intolorance. One group of people (ussually the most powerful) have somehing else to gain and they give reasons, using this ignorance and intolorance to gain the support of the people to go to war, and so they do.

Wars over the need for resources are the most self explanatory. Two peoples both need a vital resource and there isn't enough to go around, so people fight over it.

To stop the need for the military, the people would have to be educated first and foremost. Also, globalization is slowing eating away at religious intolerance and racism (though not fast enough). Finnaly, resources would have to be made readily available for all nations, to the point where there is enough for everyone, and in the case of land there may never be enough.

There is also another use for the military, civil wars. This would be a huge obstacle as governments by nature want to stay in power. They would see a lack of a military as a weakness.

I also see the need for at least a small military to protect us from any unkown threats we may see in the future, but nothing like any country has now.

[blackattackbitch]

Every single country gives up their weapons and the world reaches a golden age of peace and prosperity? A wonderful ideal and that's all it will ever be. As has been said already, no one trusts another, and with good reason. Second, foreign policy is normally conducted with agressiveness. That means that leverage is necessary. By leverage, I mean arms. The U.S., Russia, Britain and China have a massive amount of weapons i.e. leverage. So they get special seats on the security council of the U.N. Do you think that these four countries are that willing to give up their leverage? Not many people quit a game that they're winning.

Besides, many if not most of our technical advances were military advances. Satellite dishes? Military. Computer? Military. Nuclear power? Military. Cell phones? Military. Chuck Norris? Not military. He transcends military.

Achilles walked up to Chuck Norris and challenged him to a fight. Chuck Norris merely glared at him. Subsequently, Achilles sliced his own heel in order to avoid a more painful death.

[Epirocker]

the military will always be needed and as far as intimidation goes, its the ego of the United States that have kept us out of war. Which i don't care much for.

To intimidate others and say well you can't have these nuclear weapons because you'll use them to conquer other countries then for us to go into other countries is total shit.

I don't care if you say its for peace, its a sheer facade for oil and profiteering. and its showing.
Wars bring profit. Our economy is failing. Is anyone awake yet?

[catman03]

At 12/13/08 08:41 PM, Patton3 wrote: However, due to no fault of it's own it has caused the death of millions, many of them the best people in this country.

How is it "through no fault of its own?" The military is a conglomeration of organizations having the sole purpose to kill other people, even at the cost of millions of lives. Its indirectly the dead people's faults, considering they're the ones who chose to join the military, and also partially that of the politicians who start armed conflicts in the first place. But I would say that, directly, it's very much the fault of the military, who give orders to send people off to combat zones, which is essentially nothing more than a death sentence with the added benefit of having them help win the conflict, which supposedly somehow works to further perpetuate our own ideals, or whatever other shit we're fighting for. Remember: if you're having trouble giving other places freedom and democracy, just go kill everyone who disagrees with you. Nobody's more free than a dead man, right?

I look forward to the day when we can follow the example of Costa Rica's leader Oscar Arias and declare "Peace with the world" and eliminate any need for the military.

That is never going to happen for three reasons. One: the military will always be necessary because there will always be conflicts of ideals, and if we give up our military then we'll be defenseless against those who would seize everything we have. Which does not mean I advocate war or any sort of usage of the military, but rather quite the opposite. Without a military, what do you think other countries will think? The military exists partially as an unspoken threat and intimidation that keeps us safe. With no military, well...let's just say China would be one step away from kicking our asses. Two: declaring peace with the world does not make it so. That is to say that there will always be those who are against us, or whom we do not support, and in the cases conflict arrives, I for one would rather not be defenseless. And three: it seems quite clear to me that, based simply on some basic human differences that will always exist, any form of world peace would be utterly unmaintainable without some sort of global totalitarian regime (which would be even worse than the way things currently are). While it's a nice vision for the future, a world with no war or military, I don't think the human race is capable of living up to it.

Hopefully by our example other nations would follow.

I really doubt it. It's like this: you're playing a game with fifteen other people. You have cards that represent money, resources, and then you have cards that represent military strength and weaponry. One person says "Ok, we're all friends here, so I'll just trade in all these military and weaponry cards for money and resource cards." Do you really think for a second that you, or any other player, would follow suit?

At 12/13/08 08:50 PM, JeremieCompNerd wrote: I would love to see the day that the military is no longer needed, but there is no true trust in the world of today.

In the world of today? There is no true trust anywhere. Anyone who honestly believes that were all laws dropped, and they became defenseless, that anyone would hesitate to kill or enslave them, that things wouldn't descend into chaos, that they don't need any threat to protect yourself, is either a hopeless idealist or a naive fool. Trust is a concept that reality tends not to justify, unfortunately.

Until all nations can trust each other not to shoot them in the back the moment they let the forces go, nobody will take the first step.

Very true, and that will most likely never happen.

At 12/14/08 12:42 AM, InsertFunnyUserName wrote: This whole issue is a catch 22 situation.

We will only not need a military when there is wold peace, but due to human nature, there will only be world peace when there are no militaries.

Quite true. I would, however, like to say that even if we didn't need a "military" persay, that even with a world government (which is quite clearly the only type of maintainable world peace situation) there would probably need to be some sort of unspoken threat. I mean, it's human nature to develop alliances with those who agree with you, and under any possible regime there is always going to be a discontented subsection. I foresee the only lasting type of world peace as being a global totalitarian government. I guess what I'm trying to say is that not only is world peace a catch 22 situation, it would also be completely impossible as game theory would lead one to believe that the only type of world peace situation would be one of unified government, and yet any form of reasonable world government would become meaningless as people develop their own subgroupings beneath the umbrella of that government. And of course any unreasonable form of united world government would likely lead to rebellion and likely the unintentional institution of a state of nature.

[JeremieCompNerd]

At 12/14/08 02:55 AM, catman03 wrote:

At 12/13/08 08:50 PM, JeremieCompNerd wrote: I would love to see the day that the military is no longer needed, but there is no true trust in the world of today.

In the world of today? There is no true trust anywhere. Anyone who honestly believes that were all laws dropped, and they became defenseless, that anyone would hesitate to kill or enslave them, that things wouldn't descend into chaos, that they don't need any threat to protect yourself, is either a hopeless idealist or a naive fool. Trust is a concept that reality tends not to justify, unfortunately.

You would be surprised. I trust my friends with my life. The problem is that there are so many people on this planets we don't see ourselves as humans first, nations second anymore. In order to trust someone you have to know them. That won't happen until the human brain and the human society both make major changes.

[Achilles2]

At 12/13/08 08:41 PM, Patton3 wrote: eliminate any need for the military. Hopefully by our example other nations would follow.

That's easy for a small, now insignificant nation like Costa Rica to do. But when you're the world's superpower, and there are millions of people wanting to take you down, that would be a very stupid move.

Only when the rest of the world abolishes their armies can the United States abolish its, assuming that it will still be the world's superpower.

[bcdemon]

Can the US economy survive without a military? That, and how can the US survive on it's own resources? It cannot, therefor it needs war to acquire more resources. The countries that are not greedy can definitely live in your little dream land, but countries like the USA will never join a society like that. It goes against the "American Way".

[domdom2323]

At 12/13/08 08:41 PM, Patton3 wrote: The U.S. military is the most powerful military in the world. Through sheer intimidation it has kept us out of multiple wars and has fought the good fight in the name of the United States. It takes young men and women and moulds them into extremely competent individuals. It is also a great source of National pride.

Beligerent and brutal thus causing hatred of the USA by the world. Europe is the best - I should know!!!

[Conspiracy3]

At 12/13/08 08:41 PM, Patton3 wrote: The U.S. military is the most powerful military in the world.

This is where I stopped reading. The US used to be the most powerful military in the world. However, state of the art weapons are no match to sheer manpower. China's military is enormous. If it came to war between China and the US then China would be victorious.

[Austrian-Mats]

Abolishing the military - that's just blatantly stupid.
Do you... I mean, do you really think violence originates from organized military forces??

Isn't it obvious that the roots of violence are i nature itself?
Imagine: The abolishment of all organized armed forces in the world. The result would be civil wars instead of "regular" wars - people who want to fight for anything it seems worth to will organzie themselves, and if negotiations fail, there -will- be violence.
Just look at Africa at the moment. Hate, distrust, envy... there are plenty of reasons for smashing each others head.

In my opinion, a world "at peace" would be a world crammed with weapons, under the reign of a totalitarian "world-government", which controls every single aspect of your daily life. Kind of like "1984", just worse.
Another version, of course - would be NO world at all. Even if humanity perished, there would still be animals fighting and killing each other.

But - let's assume we AAALLL come to live in a happy-go-lucky sugar-world with enough space, resources, love and reason for eeeeverybody in the whole wide word (without preceding mass-genocides and brainwashing) - how will we defend ourselves against, say, asteroids?
How will we continue to manufacture things that involve hazardous, dangerous materials (like explosives and poisons).
Who will supervise these things? How won't this "power" corrupt and lead to the organization of things like shadow-governments?

World peace... a world without the military - what a ridiculous idea. The military at least lets the fights happen within certain limits (Genevea Convention, f.e.)
Wake up. Without massive genociding/brainwashing of the whole world population such a scenario is impossible - and I highly doubt this "peace" will be more pleasurable than the current situation.

[CptBonbon]

At 12/13/08 08:41 PM, Patton3 wrote: However, due to no fault of it's own it has caused the death of millions

Jesus, patriotism and brainwashing worked a number on you, huh...

[thatfatguy119]

At 12/13/08 09:23 PM, Transkar wrote: There will always be the need for a defense force or military as long as we are human.

This is true. As long as we are human and we all want more,more and more we will have to have a military in case somebody decides they want to take over the world.

[Patton3]

When I stated,"through no fault of it's own" I was implying that it's government's that start wars but it is the military that has to fight, and usually end, them. So since it is not the military itself, and especially not those in the military, who want to go to war, how can we blame the military itself. It's the governments that sends our soldiers off to war.

[Patton3]

At 12/14/08 09:52 AM, domdom2323 wrote:

Beligerent and brutal thus causing hatred of the USA by the world. Europe is the best - I should now!!

I believe that the United Sates is the best country in the world, at least for me. It has given me chances that I wouldn't have had anywhere else in the world. It is the only country I will ever want to call home and it is the place I look forward to raising my kids in. And besides, just where the fuck do Eurpeans get off calling Americans "belligerant and brutal"? The crusades, the Inquisition, the conquest of the Americas, the Napoleonic Wars, the holocaust, the list goes on! And yes, there are some things that our country has done which are down right despicable but it's nothing Europe hasn't done to a much more severe degree. This by no means justifies those acts but it shows how hypocritical some Europeans like you are, condemning the United States without so much as mentioning how you've done and continue to do the same things. I've been to Europe and loved the architecture and culture and was admiring of it. Yet I was still looked down upon by many Europeans purely because I was an American. Many didn't even bother to get to know me even a little before they judged me on my nationality. At least most decent people in the United States have the common courtesy so as not to judge someone based sherely on where they grew up. In the United States we welcome foreigners rather than mock them. And by the way, polls have shown alot of Europeans would be willing to come to the United States because it's still the land of oppurtunity, where you can dream big no matter your background, income, gender, religion, or whatever else may make you different. The United States is a country that I love, no matter it's flaws. I, and many other Americans, value the way of life and things we have beyond life itself. For to be an American is to be free, something millions have given their lives to maintaining and spreading around the world. If you hate us and what are values are so much you can fight your next war without our aid or support and you can just see how far you get.

[MultiCanimefan]

At 12/17/08 08:35 PM, Patton3 wrote:

At 12/14/08 09:52 AM, domdom2323 wrote:

Beligerent and brutal thus causing hatred of the USA by the world. Europe is the best - I should now!!

I've been to Europe and loved the architecture and culture and was admiring of it. Yet I was still looked down upon by many Europeans purely because I was an American. Many didn't even bother to get to know me even a little before they judged me on my nationality.

Name me ONE country on the entire planet where that doesn't happen. Go.

In the United States we welcome foreigners rather than mock them.

You mean some people welcome foreigners, and sure, we saythat, but after that you're on your own. Also, it's because we're a superpower. Let's take the U.S. down a peg and see how nice we are when we're struggling ourselves and don't have time to welcome people in. It's easy to be nice when things are going your way.

And by the way, polls

Links please.

have shown alot of Europeans would be willing to come to the United States because it's still the land of oppurtunity, where you can dream big

Anyone can dream, but not everyone can reach those dreams. It's cut-throat over here.

no matter your background, income, gender, religion, or whatever else may make you different.

Once again, you can dream regardless of what makes you different, you can fo that anywhere, but succeeding is another thing entirely. We're all aware of non-whites not getting hired, of women hitting that infamous glass ceiling, of Atheists not being able to run (or at least get elected) because of the non-belief in god to the point where they might lie to get elected. This is true for all countries, not just those that comprise Europe.

The United States is a country that I love, no matter it's flaws.

I share the same love.

I, and many other Americans, value the way of life and things we have beyond life itself.

Yes we do.

If you hate us and what are values are so much you can fight your next war without our aid or support and you can just see how far you get.

We should fight a war that Europe's been involved in after they've softened up the enemy for us and look like heros, like how we've done twice already. Also, I happen to remember a war during America's early days (French-Indian?) where after we called France, or whoever, for help, they helpes us. We then proceeded to disappear when they needed our help.

Seriously, though, when we fight in a war, it's a concentrated effort, and there's no time for "Oh yeah, well how do you like THIS!?" *takes away supplies* You know for a fact we'd never turn our backs on our allies, so stop saying such things just to sound inflammatory.

[RussianGiant]

There will never be peace in the world no matter what. The Soviet Union is a fine example of what will happen if the whole world is one nation.
It is natural that humans fight. They fight for greed, land, glory, racism, making their language superior, and many other reasons. You just cant simply take the world and ban all languages except English on Earth unless each country gets its own planet to live on which is not gonna happen soon.
There will always be a need for defence from many things and weapons for many needs. those weapons can be used for a wrong need like controlling a world. no country knows whats going on with everyone so they need defence. it just cant happen.

[gostgamer]

"as long as theirs men on earth there will be wars" I can't remember the excact qoute.

[MultiCanimefan]

At 12/19/08 11:12 PM, gostgamer wrote: "as long as theirs men on earth there will be wars" I can't remember the excact qoute.

Albert Einstein, my good man.

[MultiCanimefan]

At 12/19/08 07:47 PM, RussianGiant wrote: There will never be peace in the world no matter what. The Soviet Union is a fine example of what will happen if the whole world is one nation.

There's no need for the whole world to be one nation to have peace.

It is natural that humans fight. They fight for greed, land, glory, racism, making their language superior, and many other reasons.

You know, you think we'd smarten up, but no. That still doesn't mean we can't rise above our instincts, however.

[mikailus]

At 12/13/08 09:46 PM, CashClock wrote: D. Canada, Australia and other British countries will Accept my offer for World Peace using World War...

Canada would be independent from your monarch. Fuck the Queen.

:: G. I am now Prime Minister of the world...

Yes... ONLY PM! And not king! Yes, always aspire to be second best!

[Ericho]

I thought China had the best military, or at least the largest number of military forces.

[NeoBlueFalcon]

Take it as someone who has served this "great" nation of America for 3 years (short time I know). This whole sytem of war in the interest of "national security" or "self defense" is worthless. As much as leaders have said it was necessary, I've seen people on the other side who will disagree. If these idiots running the country could use more than half a brain cell, then they would realize that "self defense" does not involve invading another country.

"Although I am a typical loner in daily life, my consciousness of belonging to the invisible community of those who strive for truth, beauty, and justice has preserved me from feeling isolated." -Albert Einstein

[RussianGiant]

At 12/21/08 05:46 PM, NeoBlueFalcon wrote: If these idiots running the country could use more than half a brain cell, then they would realize that "self defense" does not involve invading another country.

those politicians are lying not stupid about it but they are stupid anyways because they think they can get away with anything if they are a V.I.P in the United States. So all round they are stupid explanation solved.

[Aughiris]

There will never be world peace. And even if there would someday be world peace, it can only be realized by creating a large fascist police state which kills any resistance. One of my favorite movies, Equilibrium, is quite a realistic representation of this.