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August 15, 2016
In Today's Complex World, 'We Have No Idea What War Is'
I was both impressed and somewhat terrified by the dawning awareness that the Pentagon does everything.
If you go in with a bit of a stereotype of, the military shoots guns and blows stuff up, and then you find yourself in meetings with military officials who are talking about running a program to prevent sexual violence in the Congo, and doing a big research project on how you most effectively dissuade foreign militaries from using sexual violence during conflict, and then you walk into another meeting and people are talking about how to promote micro-enterprise among Afghan women, it’s both kind of amazing and inspiring—that there’s this unbelievably diverse set of talents and people [and] projects. It’s amazing that the U.S. can still marshal so much talent and idealism. At the same time, it’s kind of scary, because you think, “Wait, whoa, is this the right place? Do we know what we’re doing? And what happens to the military as an institution when we’re asking it and expecting it to be all things to all people?”- Defense One
Posted by gerardvanderleun at August 15, 2016 10:43 AM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
Number 1: get our noses out of other people's business. Number 2: in this environment, I have to ask "what military?"
There is a special department in hell for the generals who've gone along with this BS for the past 8 years.
Posted by: Casey Klahn ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://americandigest.org/sidelines/nav-commenters.gif)
at August 15, 2016 12:09 PM
Answer: It becomes pussified. Exhibit A: Pentagon.
Posted by: BillH at August 15, 2016 1:29 PM
re: her article and interview. Interesting how we did not respond to Russia's entry into the space between war and peace. Hey! Didn't they write a book about that?
I bitched long and breathless about it at the time that Russia was taking Crimea. Here we are today on the bookend of that (and their invasion of Georgia). Now, Putin commands the Black Sea for the first time in history. Nicely done, Obama! Did Putin give you a reach-around while he was putting it to you?
The important thing going forward will be to buff up militarily, offer a credible response to Russian moves at every level, negotiate like Fred Astaire on the dance floor, and (money goal, here) humiliate Putin as often as possible. He is the center of the war (yep! We are at war). He is full of hubris, and taking him down several notches would do wonders. Somehow, I think Trump could do that brilliantly.
BTW - he is about to debate Hillary. I predict she may offer him a bye on those. I'd be scared spitless were I her and her zombie cadre.
Posted by: Casey Klahn at August 15, 2016 4:51 PM
They don't call it the Puzzle Palace for nothing.
Such a waste of money that could be used to buy armaments.
Do we need a new C-in-C? You bet your biffy we do.
Posted by: Jimmy J. at August 15, 2016 8:00 PM
Klahn should of course be spelled Clown.
"Russia was taking Crimea"
Crimea, of course voted to join Russia.
The neocon filth never cease with their lies, do they?
Posted by: bilejones at August 15, 2016 8:14 PM
They can't attend to low priority matters like Russia or China when they have much higher agenda items like integrating women, gays, lesbos, trannies, etc. into the military, even into the infantry and the Marines, and especially throughout the officer ranks. Because nothing strikes fear in the hearts of our enemies like the sight of a 270 lb. purple-haired and hairy guy in lipstick wearing a node-ring, a sports bra, and high-heeled boots while carrying a fully automatic rifle.
Posted by: Grizzly at August 15, 2016 8:41 PM
Don't flatter me, BJ.
Define "Little Green Men" for me. Better yet, don't.
Posted by: Casey Klahn at August 15, 2016 10:20 PM
Pretty much sums up how I feel about Police Departments these days; they're all doing stuff beyond the scope of their job and abilities.
Posted by: Joyful at August 16, 2016 7:12 AM
Grizzly: "Because nothing strikes fear in the hearts of our enemies like the sight of a 270 lb. purple-haired and hairy guy in lipstick wearing a node-ring, a sports bra, and high-heeled boots while carrying a fully automatic rifle."
I know that strikes fear in MY heart.
Posted by: OldFert at August 16, 2016 8:31 AM
I really wonder how well one can mince around a muddied battlefield in high-heeled boots carrying a SAW.
Posted by: Vermont Woodchuck at August 16, 2016 3:57 PM
Griz, I thought that was precisely how they were going to finesse women in combat anyway. Deem biological males who identify as females as such and call it good.
Posted by: Rich Fader at August 17, 2016 5:40 AM