11bee Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 (edited) A bit concerning... http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/behind-tough-british-bark-on-russia-and-islamic-state-is-very-little-bite/2015/03/12/ae63a442-c727-11e4-bea5-b893e7ac3fb3_story.html Would be "interesting" at the least to have British units integrated within US military formations. In the meantime, in a show of strength sure to intimidate the Russians, the US Army is sending a company of Strykers on an 1,100 mile road trip through eastern Europe. http://gantdaily.com/2015/03/13/u-s-army-sending-armored-convoy-1100-miles-through-europe/ In some ways, I really miss the cold war era. Edited March 13, 2015 by 11bee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tankcommander Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I just remember REFORGER when we moved divisions to Europe to show our resolve. A company of Styrkers and some A10s. I bet Putin was hiding under his bed. Boy have times changed. Sort of makes you long for the Cold War. The decline of the UK is sad, socialism rears its head over the entire free world dragging it down. I'm concerned for my childrens future I've already ruined my life. ;) TC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 The better question in my mind is why the US is spending 47% more in 2015 than we did in 2004. FORTY-SEVEN PERCENT MORE!?!?! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) The better question in my mind is why the US is spending 47% more in 2015 than we did in 2004. FORTY-SEVEN PERCENT MORE!?!?! At least we are now 47% safer than we were back in '04, right? Keep in mind that some factions would argue that we aren't spending nearly enough. I often think that the rest of our allies are the smart ones. They get to invest in frivolous things, you know - education, health care, infrastructure, high speed rail, etc, all the while knowing that their big brother is around to do all the heavy lifting if they are ever threatened. Anyhoo... I know some guys that served on Strykers. I talked to a few, they are betting that at least of third of the trucks on that 1,100 trip will end up finishing the run on a towhook. I'm sure those thinly armored, lightly armed junkers will have Vlad absolutely catatonic with fear. News reports are stating that he hasn't been seen in a couple of weeks, this is probably the reason. He's already gone into hiding. Edited March 14, 2015 by 11bee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon20driver Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Lets not forget some A-10s were sent over, which must explain Vlad's hiding... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tankcommander Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) The Beaurocrats are throwing the money away as usual. God knows how we could be spending 47% more money and cutting the size of the armed forces and reducing and canceling programs. I would like to see a line item comparison for those years. Must be the cost for all the Humvees we have provided ISIS. :bandhead2:/> TC Edited March 14, 2015 by Tankcommander Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TaiidanTomcat Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 At least we are now 47% safer than we were back in '04, right? Keep in mind that some factions would argue that we aren't spending nearly enough. I often think that the rest of our allies are the smart ones. They get to invest in frivolous things, you know - education, health care, infrastructure, high speed rail, etc, all the while knowing that their big brother is around to do all the heavy lifting if they are ever threatened. Anyhoo... I know some guys that served on Strykers. I talked to a few, they are betting that at least of third of the trucks on that 1,100 trip will end up finishing the run on a towhook. I'm sure those thinly armored, lightly armed junkers will have Vlad absolutely catatonic with fear. News reports are stating that he hasn't been seen in a couple of weeks, this is probably the reason. He's already gone into hiding. Is this the classic we are spending too much/not enough, overestimating/underestimating of the enemy? We want to send more than a handful of strikers, but we are unhappy with what we are spending. Its not the cold war anymore namely because the Russians can't compete. I'm not trying to start a flame war and clearly russia is modernizing some of its weapons, but a lot of russian gear still dates from the USSR days, and although that may only seem like yesterday, it was almost 25 years ago. I'm not saying underestimate them, but I have also seen commenters in this thread say in other threads that the soviet threat was inflated to sell more weapons during the cold war already. So which is it? I apologize that we are going to send whole divisions overseas to impress vlad, I think we have proven we can do that the last 15 years anyway but thats just me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 We were deeply involved in two very expensive ongoing wars in 2004. And we need 47% more money than THAT in 2015?? And we're in a crisis because we can't afford to pay for anything like infrastructure, veteran health care, etc, etc, etc, etc? Give me a break. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tankcommander Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Tomcat I'm not saying spend more. I just think we should be spending it wisely. That much money should be more then enough. I'm sure a lot of the prior budgets were wasted in Iraq and Afgahnistan paying for the wars which came out of the Pentigon budgets. Equipment gets used and abused and not replaced. I saw a news report that our nuclear arsenal is aging and falling into neglect. How can we afford to up grade that. How old are those minuteman missles? TC Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Exhausted Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I apologize that we are going to send whole divisions overseas to impress vlad, I think we have proven we can do that the last 15 years anyway but thats just me. It's probably not a message to Vladolf. The fact that he doesn't interfere far beyond his own border is proof that he has an accurate idea of how a Russia v USA scenario will be for his country. The Strykers, in my opinion, are there to give moral support to our allies (ESPECIALLY FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS) and maybe to give the Army a bit of modern experience about whatever challenges a Central/Eastern European deployment may give. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moose135 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 In the meantime, in a show of strength sure to intimidate the Russians, the US Army is sending a company of Strykers on an 1,100 mile road trip through eastern Europe. Forget the Strykers, send these guys... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
toadwbg Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Forget the Strykers, send these guys... LOL! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TaiidanTomcat Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) We were deeply involved in two very expensive ongoing wars in 2004. And we need 47% more money than THAT in 2015?? And we're in a crisis because we can't afford to pay for anything like infrastructure, veteran health care, etc, etc, etc, etc? Give me a break. Well I think its about time we got some change in the office. This one guy, he spent over 800 billion dollars and a lot of that was supposed to be in infrastructure back in 2009, shovel ready, green etc you can ask him about the budget and the veterans affairs too. I know, I know, I'm clearly a mouth breathing Fox News watcher. and once again, as I so often say-- look at my sig line Edited March 14, 2015 by TaiidanTomcat Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Darius at home Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 The decline of the UK is sad, socialism rears its head over the entire free world dragging it down. I'm concerned for my childrens future I've already ruined my life. ;)/> TC You really need to read up on the subject before blaming socialism as the cause of all of the worlds ills. Here in the UK we have had a coalition of the Conservative Party (definitely not socialist) and the Liberal Democrat Party (a little bit socialist) since 2010 - an election is due in May thus year. The cuts in govt. spending here have been across the board including defence and have been driven by a Conservative (not socialist) Chancellor of the Exchequer. The reason for all of these cuts was due mainly to the massive recession and financial crisis caused by greedy, immoral and most probably criminal bankers and financial types in the US, UK and elsewhere. I doubt that they could be described as socialist. As for the UK we have been in decline as a world power since early last century, accelerated by the paying off of the US lend lease bill after WW2. That was finally paid off early this century. No nation likes to admit they are in decline but it is inevitable - it is the lesson of history. Question is: who's turn is it next? Darius Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Well I think its about time we got some change in the office. This one guy, he spent over 800 billion dollars and a lot of that was supposed to be in infrastructure back in 2009, shovel ready, green etc you can ask him about the budget and the veterans affairs too. I know, I know, I'm clearly a mouth breathing Fox News watcher. and once again, as I so often say-- look at my sig line There ^^^^^^^^^ it is !!! But hey...the "Teflon Admin" running the insane asylum on the Potomac has been getting pass after pass after pass after etc etc. Meh...what's one more really ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Exhausted Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) Forget the Strykers, send these guys... A whole battalion of Stryper vehicles! Combat Winnebago for the win... Edited March 14, 2015 by Exhausted Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tankcommander Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) You really need to read up on the subject before blaming socialism as the cause of all of the worlds ills. Here in the UK we have had a coalition of the Conservative Party (definitely not socialist) and the Liberal Democrat Party (a little bit socialist) since 2010 - an election is due in May thus year. The cuts in govt. spending here have been across the board including defence and have been driven by a Conservative (not socialist) Chancellor of the Exchequer. The reason for all of these cuts was due mainly to the massive recession and financial crisis caused by greedy, immoral and most probably criminal bankers and financial types in the US, UK and elsewhere. I doubt that they could be described as socialist. As for the UK we have been in decline as a world power since early last century, accelerated by the paying off of the US lend lease bill after WW2. That was finally paid off early this century. No nation likes to admit they are in decline but it is inevitable - it is the lesson of history. Question is: who's turn is it next? Darius That should have been 2 sentences. I was not attributing the recent UK decline to socialism more so the US problems. Although the UK has had issues with socialism over the last 50 years. How much must the productive population contribute to the unproductive population. I for one do not believe in the nanny state. Would Putin be so jingoistic if a Regan or Bush 1 were in the White House and NATO was still strong? Yes I also watch FOX the news babes are HOT!!! TC Edited March 14, 2015 by Tankcommander Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Exhausted Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) The answer TC is yes, Putin would still do act like an moron because Russia can't compete on a global scale, only a regional one. Besides, Gorbachev was a hell of a reformer -- a hero of sorts who had the fortitude to stand up to the Soviet Conservatives. The Putin of 1990 most definitely would have preferred that they crush him, but they couldn't because their control over the military wasn't total. In the end, the Conservatives in the USSR implanted enough discord and lies about America to fuel the current generation, 25 years later. BTW, you may want to look out for Sharknado 3 as some **shudders** hot(?) Fox News alumni will pretend to be in some very important roles! :)/> Ann Coulter is set to be the VP. Edited March 14, 2015 by Exhausted Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 It perplexes me. If the choice comes down to things like education, roads and bridges, health care, and old age pensions or an all-powerful military, but not both, if we choose the all-powerful military, what are we left defending? Certainly not "freedom" (the oldest, tiredest, most jingoistic refrains there is). Seems to me we're defending our right to live in a crumbling society with very little prospects for the future. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Exhausted Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 That's the danger of living within dichotomies. We are smart people, we have complex problem solving skills -- we don't always use them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TaiidanTomcat Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 It perplexes me. If the choice comes down to things like education, roads and bridges, health care, and old age pensions or an all-powerful military, but not both, if we choose the all-powerful military, what are we left defending? Certainly not "freedom" (the oldest, tiredest, most jingoistic refrains there is). Seems to me we're defending our right to live in a crumbling society with very little prospects for the future. what happened to all that old euphoria from about 6 years ago? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dmanton300 Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 what happened to all that old euphoria from about 6 years ago? Budget cuts. Turns out we couldn't afford euphoria, mild discontent was as far as the money went sadly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TaiidanTomcat Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Budget cuts. Turns out we couldn't afford euphoria, mild discontent was as far as the money went sadly. Its disappointing that all that propaganda didn't pan out. I really missed being lectured about how wrong I was back then whenever I even implied that things might change for the worse. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 (edited) what happened to all that old euphoria from about 6 years ago? Rodger that TT. The last 6 years have been a huge bummer. I miss the good days before the teflon administration came into power. Things today just ain't right, as all real 'mericuns will agree. No more reading the weekly KIA reports from two wars (which on an eventful week could run a couple of pages), hoping you don't see a familiar name. No more watching your home, 401K and other investments lose over half their value. No more wondering if this week, your company is going to lay you off. Yeah, the last 6 years have been a huge disappointment. Enough of that negativity though. On the bright side, the good guys are making a well deserved comeback! I for one cannot wait to see what they have in store for us. Edited March 15, 2015 by 11bee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TaiidanTomcat Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 No more reading the weekly KIA reports from two wars (which on an eventful week could run a couple of pages), hoping you don't see a familiar name. I'll admit they certainly decided it was no longer worth reporting on, thus the casualties have certainly stopped. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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