Oh, come on now. You quote from the same bias blog that insists Santorums views on gays are the right thing. Even after Santorum back peddaled? No agenda there. May as well quote Rush or Hannity. I was simply responding to the actual, real, post. c
Good article. I vote we orient the military around the energy supply chain, and the rare earths supply chain. We're a net food exporter only thanks to oil and gas, and the rare earths angle ensures we get to keep buying fun toys (after we've eaten).
We are a net exporter of refined products, gasoline etc, not crude. Still it is a great development. It isn't that we've increased production, our domestic demand was destroyed during the period when gasoline was approaching $5.00 per gallon a few years back. Demand destruction is an interesting thing because the demand almost always seems to only be restored gradually. Since then most people I know have picked up at least one car that gets 40 mpg including myself and that is folks with garages full of exotics etc. A common, almost iconic, sight in s.cal is some 1%er doing 80 on the freeway in his/her Prius.
I said we're a net food exporter, not oil, but only because of oil (and gas). My point is, if we have oil and gas secured, we'll have enough food. Raid Canada for water and we've got that. As for shelter... raid Canada for wood! The necessities met, we're free to play with toys. Hence, secure a steady supply of rare earths. Edit: by the way, while Chomsky is interesting, if you haven't read Thoreau that has to come first. Everyone should read Walden in their youth, or at least before they die.
Ah, food. Check. 410 AD, Check. The rare earth supply is a quandry. I understand that Afghanistan is bursting with the stuff but there is insufficient basic infrastructure to get at it not to mention the hostility of the mountain people who reside where most of the stuff is supposed to be located. China has us over a barrel and we don't seem to have anything that they need that could serve as a basis for trade so we pay with hard currency.
Wait, did Obama just admit we're in multiple major wars?!?! I guess now he's less of a liar, but still a Noble Peace Prize recipient
Monarchs can't lie. If he says it then it is the truth by definition or decree or something. <img src="http://www.thedailybeast.com/content/dailybeast/articles/2011/04/26/obama-for-queen-how-the-president-could-end-up-head-of-the-commonwealth/_jcr_content/body/image_0.img.jpg/1304776803234.jpg">
OK, so you think that article written by a retired brigadier general (and I agree with BTW or wouldn't have posted it) is automatically null and void because of some trash that appeared about Santorum on the same website?
In a broad sense, that's how it's supposed to work... the force structure is ultimately a function of our National Security Strategy which is supposed to be about protecting our vital national interests. (If that's what you meant, sometimes I'm not sure )