Archive for war

Weapons makers now suggesting that GOP reconsider tax hikes.

Our global military presence requires a mammoth defense industry, one that consumes nearly half of all military expenditures worldwide. In January, 2013, automatic defense cuts are scheduled to occur under the Budget Control Act. This sequestration has members of Congress and major defense contractors scrambling to dodge this bullet.

Desperate to protect their bottom line, weapons makers now suggest that the GOP consider raising revenues (taxes!). Just maybe those top tier Bush tax cuts should expire to facilitate a budget agreement before the New Year’s deadline. How will Republicans respond to this powerful lobby?

From The Huffington Post

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War on Drugs discussion reopened in the wake of Fast and Furious.

Despite decades fighting the drug wars, millions of Americans use cannabis just as others use alcohol. When listening to arguments opposing its legalization, substitute ‘alcohol’ for ‘marijuana’ and you’ll hear the same words that were exchanged almost 100 years ago.

Now that the Fast and Furious controversy has once again opened the discussion on Mexican violence, perhaps it’s time we discuss one of the greatest failures in American public policy. What are your thoughts on the War on Drugs?

From The Atlantic

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Does Obama’s nat’l security doctrine make armed conflict an easy option?

Twenty-first century threats require a major shift in our military policies, defense technologies, and concepts of national security. Intelligence gathering, covert law enforcement, and diplomacy have historically proved more effective than full-scale military assault.

Obama’s national security doctrine incorporates much of this philosophy, but does it make war, as an option, too easy? What do you think?

From Salon

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Anthropomorphized drones to reduce drone operator PTSD?

The U.S. military hopes to reduce instances of drone operator PTSD and reduce civilian anxieties, but are they ignoring the real costs of remote-control warfare?

From Wired’s Danger Room:

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U.S. military ignored lessons from Korea/Vietnam insurgencies in the Middle East.

A new Pentagon study claims that political and cultural misperceptions contributed to failures in the Middle East.

Our nation was founded by guerrilla fighters battling a foreign oppressor, yet we still know very little about insurgency warfare despite the lessons of Korea and Vietnam. Your thoughts?

From Wired’s Danger Room:

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SCOTUS rejects appeal of Blackwater mercenaries in civilian killings.

Despite Blackwater’s rebranding efforts since the 2007 shootings in Baghdad, the four Blackwater security guards responsible for killing 14 Iraqi civilians will finally be held accountable for their actions.

Major problems with private military contractors include: the lack of accountability, rogue missions, questions of loyalty and the enormous expense. How do you feel about hiring private mercenaries to conduct U.S. military operations overseas?

From RT America

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As ‘War on Terror’ dials down, is a ‘War on Furniture’ looming?

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the number of U.S. citizens harmed by terrorist attacks since 2010 is comparable to the number of Americans who are crushed to death by their televisions and furniture each year.

Is it time for a global war on furniture?

From The Atlantic:

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Political extremism becoming more normalized.

Political extremism cannot be allowed to compromise our core liberties. If we choose to remain gullible and ignorant, preferring partisan speeches at flag-waving rallies to hard truths, then we’ll get what we deserve–a Republic in name only.

This recent article from Glenn Greenwald examines how extremist attitudes in Washington are quickly eroding our modern understanding of civil liberties. Take a look, and let me know your thoughts.

From Salon.com and Glenn Greenwald:

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In-depth look at terrifying “Hiroshma” strategy that was taught to US troops.

Fascinating read from a few weeks ago about Lt. Col. Matthew Dooley’s American “jihad” against Islam, which sold this terrifyingly insane Hiroshma strategy to US troops.

Make sure to check out this article if you happened to miss it in Wired.

From Wired’s Danger Room:

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