New hot/cold planet 40 Light years away

You’re correct about the current world we live in. I went to war to help our economic trading partners whose economies affected our own. Kuwait’s occupation did not directly affect us and despite the peaceful embargo threats, Saddam continued to assert his claim of rightful conquest. It was also our military stance after the ceasefire that prevented Saddam’s expansion and the embargoes embittered the Iraqis against us when we finally decided to dethrone him. History does not only consist of WW2 as an example. the same thing has been happening for millenia. Tibet and Kosovo are polar opposites of bellicose decisions. Rome fell from internal dissension and civil war when those energies could have been better spent keeping the borders secure in offensive actions. The problems we face now have always plagued empires. We just happen to be lucky enough to be somewhat isolated an our economic empire is falling apart due to our society’s inability to adapt to the fact that the world is changing.
We have to protect that empire and a soft and weak military will cause that economic empire to be taken advantage of. You can use post war Germany and Japan as examples of weak military and economic growth but remember that their economies were heavily subsidized by our military might protecting their trade from others who would take it from them. I’ll just mention the Ukraine for a contemporary example and you can research the history, both economically and politically and come to your own conclusion.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/video/26-years-google-maps-reunites-130437436.html?vp=1

An idea for a great game for kids this season is called Angry Birds-Knock on Wood. A freedom to explore ideas is really a type of nurturing for them to reach their full potential. Christmas season is fast approaching.

During the last session of our teaching workshop, participants were asked to state their personal goals for the immediate future.  One teacher vowed to update photo albums, another to lose weight.  The goal that got the most response, however, was given by a slightly out-of-shape kindergarten teacher.  “I resolve to exercise until I can complete a 20-minute workout in less than an hour.”

I hear ya bro, when I reenlisted I was like why the fuck am I doing this? Now after some of my experiences I am glad I did.

@AgentOrange:

OK, here’s another question:  If someone said you must fight in a war, and offered you one of 3 fighting vehicles to use, which one would you choose - a tank, a fighter jet, or a small, armed, water-craft?

I chose the tank, if only because it seems really cool to be heavily protected, while being able to dish out quite a bit of damage.  :mrgreen:

If I had to, I would choose:

1.  The medical van.  Because nobody really wants to shoot the medical van.
2.  The fighter jet.  Puke and pass out, but whee!
3.  The tank.  Because if I get blown up, hopefully the munitions will ignite and my end will be quick.  Also, I can pretend I didn’t hear orders. “wuzzat, the tank was too loud . . . retreat, you say?”
4.  The small, armed, water-craft.  Because of chemicals that can burn your skin in the water, and if you survive that, the fishies that like to eat you, and if you survive that, the dehydration and the sunburn.

I think we just see the pictures of the WTC being hit, or falling, too much. Let those pictures rest, we should be watching something more positive.

I find myself on to minds of thought. When it first happened I would agree with the fact that the news coverage was CRAZY. Network TV, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX had some 72 straight hours of coverage.

On the other side of the coin I don’t mind seeing pictures of it from time to time. The same as I don’t mind watching pearl harbor or moon landing footage on occasion.

All things in moderation :)

we never should of been in nam. Diem was a jack-ass, and the country didn’t want to fight.

At least we were successful protecting south korea.