(PV) Fear among the GOP candidates

[Etta Place]

Originally Posted by DMWyatt

Etta, I'm curious what you would do to streamline the military and not deminish its effectiveness. The fact is that we have already surpassed any of Eisenhower's expectations of how big the military-industrial complex would grow ten-fold. The problem we have is that while many of us would favor returning to more of a peacefull status in the world, the damage has been done, and countries other than the U.S. have built large military arsenals as well. How do you keep other countries, with more radical ideologies from aggressing against us?

Also, concerning talk radio: There have been a host of liberal biased talk shows over the years, and in recent times even an entire network devoted to a liberal bias. They all failed to secure enough of a share in the market to warrant the advertising funds necessary to stay afloat. I've been working in radio off and on for about 6 years now. The simple fact of the matter is that programming does not go on-air unless someone is paying for it to be there. No matter how big an idea or good a cause, radio is not a business that caters to failure when it comes to making money. It is simply too competitive.

The simple fact is that if the liberal bias was something that people wanted to hear, it is something that would be profitable and easily maintained through advertising funds. There is no coincidence that if you look at the Arbitron ratings and then at station's advertising revenue, there is a direct link between ratings and aforementioned advertising revenue. The ratings right now go to rock stations and conservative talk radio.

I'm reading an article right now (slowly) that talks about reducing our military commitment. The elites in this country may be starting to question the wisdom of this heavy focus on militarism in our foreign policy. I will get back to you once I complete the article.

As for talk radio, I don't know why conservative talk radio is so popular and liberal is not. I think it's because liberals seem whiny and powerless and conservatives seem angry and aggressive. It's much more desirable to feel angry than weak.

[Etta Place]

Originally Posted by DMWyatt

Etta, I'm curious what you would do to streamline the military and not deminish its effectiveness. The fact is that we have already surpassed any of Eisenhower's expectations of how big the military-industrial complex would grow ten-fold. The problem we have is that while many of us would favor returning to more of a peacefull status in the world, the damage has been done, and countries other than the U.S. have built large military arsenals as well. How do you keep other countries, with more radical ideologies from aggressing against us?

I personally think the way to prevent Islamic fundamentalists from trying to harm the US is to reduce our presence in their countries. They would not come here if we were not there. I am not afraid of their religious fanatics. I think the way to fight terrorism is through intelligence. The British had to deal with terrorists from Ireland for years and never invaded that country.

[DMWyatt]

Originally Posted by Etta Place

I personally think the way to prevent Islamic fundamentalists from trying to harm the US is to reduce our presence in their countries. They would not come here if we were not there. I am not afraid of their religious fanatics. I think the way to fight terrorism is through intelligence. The British had to deal with terrorists from Ireland for years and never invaded that country.

I wasn't necessarily referring to Islamic fundamentalists. I was thinking of sovereign nations like China or Russia, who have a history of imperialistic ideologies. Logically, the threat of an invasion of Islamic Fundamentalists into our country with the intent to conquer is a little out of kilter with reality. I much more fear 200 million Chinese than I do 300,000 Islamic Terrorists. (Note: figures have not been researched, and are just an illustration)

[AZXD]

Originally Posted by DMWyatt

I wasn't necessarily referring to Islamic fundamentalists. I was thinking of sovereign nations like China or Russia, who have a history of imperialistic ideologies. Logically, the threat of an invasion of Islamic Fundamentalists into our country with the intent to conquer is a little out of kilter with reality. I much more fear 200 million Chinese than I do 300,000 Islamic Terrorists. (Note: figures have not been researched, and are just an illustration)

I agree!
Even if our government and the MSM our government control's, keep telling us Islamic Fundamentalists will follow us home, that reality is, as you say "out of kilter".

[eric_t12]

wrong azxd, they have a huge air force, a formidable navy, and the mechanical constructs required to ship all XXXXXX number of them to follow us home.

who cares that the flights on 9/11 were domestic, and the borders and ports are less secure than baghdad markets, and now we can't even take toothpaste on airplanes.

they will follow us home. as soon as they can take over planes in other countries or break through the wall and security on the borders and ports.

oh wait they can already do those things because airport security is a joke and the borders and ports are about as open as you can get.

[Etta Place]

Originally Posted by DMWyatt

I wasn't necessarily referring to Islamic fundamentalists. I was thinking of sovereign nations like China or Russia, who have a history of imperialistic ideologies. Logically, the threat of an invasion of Islamic Fundamentalists into our country with the intent to conquer is a little out of kilter with reality. I much more fear 200 million Chinese than I do 300,000 Islamic Terrorists. (Note: figures have not been researched, and are just an illustration)

I would hope that diplomacy would work with these countries. Russia was becoming more open, more friendly to the West. What happened?

[DMWyatt]

Originally Posted by Etta Place

I would hope that diplomacy would work with these countries. Russia was becoming more open, more friendly to the West. What happened?

George W. Bush Happened...

[Etta Place]

Originally Posted by DMWyatt

George W. Bush Happened...

Exactly!

I grew up in Michigan near Toledo. I keep seeing all of these Ohio and Michigan folks here, and it reminds me of home.

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by Etta Place

I would hope that diplomacy would work with these countries. Russia was becoming more open, more friendly to the West. What happened?

If you've had a long-time friend that all of a sudden started acting surly and aggressive, your response would be to take a defensive posture.

[DMWyatt]

Originally Posted by Frenchy

If you've had a long-time friend that all of a sudden started acting surly and aggressive, your response would be to take a defensive posture.

I don't really know how much of a long time friend we've been to Russia. We've barely thawed from the Cold War. As far as China goes, why would you attack the only country in the world stupid enough to subsidize your economy. What is the trade deficit with China? 300-400 Trillion $?

ETA: I could see China attacking us, not only because of the trade deficit, but also because right now with the political turmoil about to be stirred. RIGHT NOW would be an opportune time for someone to invade us.