The Political Junkie™ Thread - USA Edition

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**Dreadclaw69**

agnosto wrote:
So Americans going to Somalia to fight for Al Shabab isn't a credible threat? Of course the FBI downplays the threat, it's their job to keep us all from running around like chickens while they try to contain any possible outcome.

http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/combating-hate/al-shabaabs-american-recruits.pdf

They, and the CIA, both said that ISIS was a credible threat on US soil. Does that mean that they were not doing their jobs?

From your own link;

the group stepped up its insurgency against Somalia's transitional government and its Ethiopian supporters

So their conflict is regional, and their force projection limited. Compare and contrast that with ISIS who have blown up an airliner in Egypt, carried out attacks in Paris and Sydney, and hold territory in multiple countries. The threat level is not the same.

**Ouze**

... not even really sure what to say about this one.

Kasich Proposes New Government Agency To Promote Judeo-Christian Values

As part of a broad national security plan to defeat ISIS, Republican Presidential candidate John Kasich proposed creating a new government agency to push Judeo-Christian values around the world.

The new agency, which he hasn't yet named, would promote a Jewish- and Christian-based belief system to four regions of the world: China, Iran, Russia and the Middle East.

"We need to beam messages around the world" about the freedoms Americans enjoy, Kasich said in an interview with NBC News Tuesday. "It means freedom, it means opportunity, it means respect for women, it means freedom to gather, it means so many things."

He defended creating a new government agency at a time when fellow Republican presidential candidates discuss eliminating government agencies to making the government smaller.

"There's nobody who's spent more time shrinking government and cutting budgets than I have," Kasich, the former head of the House Budget Committee said, adding that not all government programs are equal.

The United States already has a government-funded broadcast system in Voice of America, which broadcasts American news and programming abroad. The radio, television and digital audience reaches up to 188 million people per week.

The focus on foreign policy has sharpened on the campaign trail since the deadly terror attacks in Paris killed at least 129 people.

Another issue that has sparked controversy is what to do about Syrian refugees fleeing the civil war there. The United States has said it will accept 10,000 refugees but more than half of the country's governors, mostly Republicans, have expressed concern about refugees coming into their states.

Kasich, who said just two months earlier that the U.S. should accept refugees from Syria, sent a letter to President Barack Obama Monday urging the federal government to not send any more Syrian refugees.

Tuesday he acknowledged that as governor he does not have the ability to prevent refugees from moving to his state.

"We don't have the authority ... we can only express our concerns," Kasich said at a speech focusing on foreign policy at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

"I'm criticized for having a big heart but I also have a big brain," he said.

He urged the federal government to "pause," and put in place stringent background checks before allowing Syrians to enter the U.S.

He said refugees should be relocated to "safe zones" located on the borders of Turkey and Jordan and are protected by no fly zones.

One of the Paris attackers was a Belgium citizen but Kasich refused to say if Belgiums - or all Muslims - should also be excluded from coming to the United States.

"Look, I think we're talking about the refugee issue as it relates to Syrians," he told NBC News.

As for his policy to defeat ISIS, he proposed leading a coalition that includes soldiers fighting on the ground in both Syria and Iraq. He would not indicate a number and said the coalition should not be involved in Syria's civil war.

"Civil wars do not work out well for the U.S.," he said. "Nation building. Count me out."

**Dreadclaw69**

You could just say "Separation of Church & State". The benefits he is touting can be promoted outside of a religious context.

**the Signless**

Some crazy person wrote:The new agency, which he hasn't yet named, would promote a Jewish- and Christian-based belief system to four regions of the world: China, Iran, Russia and the Middle East.

Why are we still top of the list of the United States enemies? The cold war has been over for years and you buy all of your cheap toys from us.

**d-usa**

You keep on trying to poison us with lead paints!

**LordofHats**

the Signless wrote:
Some crazy person wrote:The new agency, which he hasn't yet named, would promote a Jewish- and Christian-based belief system to four regions of the world: China, Iran, Russia and the Middle East.
Why are we still top of the list of the United States enemies? The cold war has been over for years and you buy all of your cheap toys from us.

Because there are groups in the US that survive by convincing Americans to be afraid of everything.

Yeah it sucks for us too.

You could just say "Separation of Church & State". The benefits he is touting can be promoted outside of a religious context.

This sounds to me like trying to sneak the cake in the back door by calling it pie.

**Dreadclaw69**

the Signless wrote:
Why are we still top of the list of the United States enemies? The cold war has been over for years and you buy all of your cheap toys from us.

All those cyber intrusions may play a wee teensy tiny part in it.

**Ahtman**

LordofHats wrote:
This sounds to me like trying to sneak the cake in the back door by calling it pie.

Well now I am hungry.

Isn't creating an agency to promote a certain outlook based on one idea of religious dogma the kind of thing that the people we fight against would do?

**Breotan**

John Kasich

Who?

**Co'tor Shas**

Governor of Ohio(?). He's running for the republican nomination.

**LordofHats**

Ahtman wrote:

Isn't creating an agency to promote a certain outlook based on one idea of religious dogma the kind of thing that the people we fight against would do?

No no no. This is good Christian values. We don't do anything those dirty Muslims do. Like kidnap family members and send them to religious schools to force them to be the way we want them to be. Honor killing? My Bible ain't no koran. Don't do no terrorist attacks. No sir. Certainly not. Sectarian violence? Hell nah. Never invaded anyone for having a different faith neither.

Clearly only Islam would do such things and only because its Islam. No other reasons. Nope.

**Ouze**

Co'tor Shas wrote:
Governor of Ohio(?). He's running for the republican nomination.

And claims to be the moderate choice!

**Jihadin**

Ouze wrote:
Co'tor Shas wrote:
Governor of Ohio(?). He's running for the republican nomination.

And claims to be the moderate choice!

He does not entertain me......throw him to the lions

**BrotherGecko**

Ouze wrote:
Co'tor Shas wrote:
Governor of Ohio(?). He's running for the republican nomination.

And claims to be the moderate choice!

Sad that the GOP are allowing themselves to slide further into the deep end because of the popularity of the crazy two. No integrity what so ever.

**Do_I_Not_Like_That**

Trump is an idiot, but his comments on Muslims have shown him to be a dangerous idiot.

I've said this before, but if the USA goes down the hold of treating its Muslim citizens as a fifth column, an enemy within, then it will be a disaster for the USA.

History has shown that no outside force can defeat America. If American falls, then it will be because its citizens abandoned their values of freedom and democracy.

**Tannhauser42**

Dreadclaw69 wrote:
the Signless wrote:
Why are we still top of the list of the United States enemies? The cold war has been over for years and you buy all of your cheap toys from us.

All those cyber intrusions may play a wee teensy tiny part in it.

Nah, it isn't the intrusions themselves, it's because they're better at it than we are. Every nation spies on each other, and every nation tries to hack each other, too. We're just annoyed because Russia and China are doing a better job on the cyber front than us.

**sirlynchmob**

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Trump is an idiot, but his comments on Muslims have shown him to be a dangerous idiot.

I've said this before, but if the USA goes down the hold of treating its Muslim citizens as a fifth column, an enemy within, then it will be a disaster for the USA.

History has shown that no outside force can defeat America. If American falls, then it will be because its citizens abandoned their values of freedom and democracy.

well we did whip them in 1812

the scary thing is, americans are trying to pain ISIS as the next Nazi's, when they're just an election away from that fate. Trump is acting like Hitler reincarnate.

**Tactical_Spam**

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Trump is an idiot, but his comments on Muslims have shown him to be a dangerous idiot.

I've said this before, but if the USA goes down the hold of treating its Muslim citizens as a fifth column, an enemy within, then it will be a disaster for the USA.

History has shown that no outside force can defeat America. If American falls, then it will be because its citizens abandoned their values of freedom and democracy.

The War in Vietnam would beg to differ

**Do_I_Not_Like_That**

sirlynchmob wrote:
Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Trump is an idiot, but his comments on Muslims have shown him to be a dangerous idiot.

I've said this before, but if the USA goes down the hold of treating its Muslim citizens as a fifth column, an enemy within, then it will be a disaster for the USA.

History has shown that no outside force can defeat America. If American falls, then it will be because its citizens abandoned their values of freedom and democracy.

well we did whip them in 1812

the scary thing is, americans are trying to pain ISIS as the next Nazi's, when they're just an election away from that fate. Trump is acting like Hitler reincarnate.

Leaving aside Canadian military supremacy against the USA

I was making the point that what America is, and what it stands for, can only be destroyed from within.

Rarely are great powers/empires defeated from without.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Tactical_Spam wrote:
Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Trump is an idiot, but his comments on Muslims have shown him to be a dangerous idiot.

I've said this before, but if the USA goes down the hold of treating its Muslim citizens as a fifth column, an enemy within, then it will be a disaster for the USA.

History has shown that no outside force can defeat America. If American falls, then it will be because its citizens abandoned their values of freedom and democracy.

The War in Vietnam would beg to differ

See my response above

**reds8n**

http://mightygodking.com/2015/11/23/stab-at-relevance-part-5-the-stab-and-the-furious/

good stuff

**Ensis Ferrae**

Tannhauser42 wrote:Nah, it isn't the intrusions themselves, it's because they're better at it than we are.

It really isn't even that they are better at it than us, it's our official stance/policy. When it comes to cyberwarfare, we have repeatedly stated that our policy is one of defense, and defense only. And this kind of bears out in the structure of much of our cyber warfare arm of the military.

Tactical_Spam wrote:
The War in Vietnam would beg to differ

Do you even history bro?? Lol, we "lost" Vietnam because of the dirty hippies and the overall loss of political willpower.

**sirlynchmob**

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
sirlynchmob wrote:
Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Trump is an idiot, but his comments on Muslims have shown him to be a dangerous idiot.

I've said this before, but if the USA goes down the hold of treating its Muslim citizens as a fifth column, an enemy within, then it will be a disaster for the USA.

History has shown that no outside force can defeat America. If American falls, then it will be because its citizens abandoned their values of freedom and democracy.

well we did whip them in 1812

the scary thing is, americans are trying to pain ISIS as the next Nazi's, when they're just an election away from that fate. Trump is acting like Hitler reincarnate.

Leaving aside Canadian military supremacy against the USA

I was making the point that what America is, and what it stands for, can only be destroyed from within.

Rarely are great powers/empires defeated from without.

who needs military might, canada has been infiltrating the states for years. We have Shatner in charge of a horde of trekies, Beiber has gained control of all the teenage girls. So in 2020 when the tweens grow up, beiber makes a new song so they vote for Cruz. Get this he's a canadian/cuban, the son of a refugee, hows that for some irony

Florida & Arizona have so many sleeper agents they're basically provinces. Then if it needs to come to blows, we'll attack in the winter so we have the homefield advantage, we'll blow up the niagra falls power plant, which will kill off millions of americans in new york as they freeze leaving all the canadians alive.

**Ensis Ferrae**

sirlynchmob wrote:
Then if it needs to come to blows, we'll attack in the winter so we have the homefield advantage, we'll blow up the niagra falls power plant, which will kill off millions of americans in new york as they freeze leaving all the canadians alive.

I think you'll find people from Buffalo a bit tougher than that.... And I'd positively avoid Boston if you've managed to cut the power. They're pissed enough as it is. Ohh, and word of advice on the PsyOps: don't be putting Tom Brady down in the NE, that message may be useful in California for recruiting new allies though.

**Do_I_Not_Like_That**

sirlynchmob wrote:
Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
sirlynchmob wrote:
Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Trump is an idiot, but his comments on Muslims have shown him to be a dangerous idiot.

I've said this before, but if the USA goes down the hold of treating its Muslim citizens as a fifth column, an enemy within, then it will be a disaster for the USA.

History has shown that no outside force can defeat America. If American falls, then it will be because its citizens abandoned their values of freedom and democracy.

well we did whip them in 1812

the scary thing is, americans are trying to pain ISIS as the next Nazi's, when they're just an election away from that fate. Trump is acting like Hitler reincarnate.

Leaving aside Canadian military supremacy against the USA

I was making the point that what America is, and what it stands for, can only be destroyed from within.

Rarely are great powers/empires defeated from without.

who needs military might, canada has been infiltrating the states for years. We have Shatner in charge of a horde of trekies, Beiber has gained control of all the teenage girls. So in 2020 when the tweens grow up, beiber makes a new song so they vote for Cruz. Get this he's a canadian/cuban, the son of a refugee, hows that for some irony Florida & Arizona have so many sleeper agents they're basically provinces. Then if it needs to come to blows, we'll attack in the winter so we have the homefield advantage, we'll blow up the niagra falls power plant, which will kill off millions of americans in new york as they freeze leaving all the canadians alive.

When you put it like that the genius of Canada reveals itself

I can think of one well known Texan on this site who would betray the USA to Canada in exchange for a lifetime supply of maple syrup and Canadian ham

If ever Canada and Vietnam joined forces, then the USA would fall

**BrotherGecko**

sirlynchmob wrote:
Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
sirlynchmob wrote:
Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
Trump is an idiot, but his comments on Muslims have shown him to be a dangerous idiot.

I've said this before, but if the USA goes down the hold of treating its Muslim citizens as a fifth column, an enemy within, then it will be a disaster for the USA.

History has shown that no outside force can defeat America. If American falls, then it will be because its citizens abandoned their values of freedom and democracy.

well we did whip them in 1812

the scary thing is, americans are trying to pain ISIS as the next Nazi's, when they're just an election away from that fate. Trump is acting like Hitler reincarnate.

Leaving aside Canadian military supremacy against the USA

I was making the point that what America is, and what it stands for, can only be destroyed from within.

Rarely are great powers/empires defeated from without.

who needs military might, canada has been infiltrating the states for years. We have Shatner in charge of a horde of trekies, Beiber has gained control of all the teenage girls. So in 2020 when the tweens grow up, beiber makes a new song so they vote for Cruz. Get this he's a canadian/cuban, the son of a refugee, hows that for some irony Florida & Arizona have so many sleeper agents they're basically provinces. Then if it needs to come to blows, we'll attack in the winter so we have the homefield advantage, we'll blow up the niagra falls power plant, which will kill off millions of americans in new york as they freeze leaving all the canadians alive.

Nah, we already planned for your attempts at invasion. Your invaders are Americans, that is why they can live so comfortably here and why they choose to stay. Its their native country.100 years ago the US sent northern American sleeper agents into Canada. The mission was to out breed the Canadians. Canada used to have British accents, now they most have northern American accents. The last enclave is the stubborn French Canadians.

Ever wonder why the US and northern US look and act mostly the same. Every wonder why when a Canadian thinks their country is different an American is incapable of noticing it? Or how Canada is infested with 'Muricans?

We already won, were just waiting to change the flag to the Stars and Stripes and declare Canada a state.

lol

**Grey Templar**

Ensis Ferrae wrote:
Tannhauser42 wrote:Nah, it isn't the intrusions themselves, it's because they're better at it than we are.

It really isn't even that they are better at it than us, it's our official stance/policy. When it comes to cyberwarfare, we have repeatedly stated that our policy is one of defense, and defense only. And this kind of bears out in the structure of much of our cyber warfare arm of the military.

Tactical_Spam wrote:
The War in Vietnam would beg to differ

Do you even history bro?? Lol, we "lost" Vietnam because of the dirty hippies and the overall loss of political willpower.

As I recall, Vietnam had been going quite well until the political willpower dried up. Basically people at home were so outraged over a few deaths and the draft that the politicians pulled us out of a situation we were actually winning.

**BrotherGecko**

Grey Templar wrote:
Ensis Ferrae wrote:
Tannhauser42 wrote:Nah, it isn't the intrusions themselves, it's because they're better at it than we are.

It really isn't even that they are better at it than us, it's our official stance/policy. When it comes to cyberwarfare, we have repeatedly stated that our policy is one of defense, and defense only. And this kind of bears out in the structure of much of our cyber warfare arm of the military.

Tactical_Spam wrote:
The War in Vietnam would beg to differ

Do you even history bro?? Lol, we "lost" Vietnam because of the dirty hippies and the overall loss of political willpower.

As I recall, Vietnam had been going quite well until the political willpower dried up. Basically people at home were so outraged over a few deaths and the draft that the politicians pulled us out of a situation we were actually winning.

50,000 American deaths for an irrelevant proxy war seems more than just a few don't you think?

We seem to be trying to sign a free trade treaty with communist Vietnam. So I'm not sure as to what the point of that war was supposed to be.

**Ensis Ferrae**

BrotherGecko wrote:

50,000 American deaths for an irrelevant proxy war seems more than just a few don't you think?

We seem to be trying to sign a free trade treaty with communist Vietnam. So I'm not sure as to what the point of that war was supposed to be.

Well, at the time, it was the whole "We can't let the Commies win!" and the prevention of the spread of communism thing.... And yes, we suffered 50k deaths and I dont know how many severely wounded, but GT is correct, we brought grievous injuries to them as well. If it weren't for the fact that the PRC was aiding them, things would probably have gone much quicker, especially as Russia didn't particularly care about Vietnam and was focusing more of it's attention in other gakhole SE Asian countries.

**Prestor Jon**

BrotherGecko wrote:
Grey Templar wrote:
Ensis Ferrae wrote:
Tannhauser42 wrote:Nah, it isn't the intrusions themselves, it's because they're better at it than we are.

It really isn't even that they are better at it than us, it's our official stance/policy. When it comes to cyberwarfare, we have repeatedly stated that our policy is one of defense, and defense only. And this kind of bears out in the structure of much of our cyber warfare arm of the military.

Tactical_Spam wrote:
The War in Vietnam would beg to differ

Do you even history bro?? Lol, we "lost" Vietnam because of the dirty hippies and the overall loss of political willpower.

As I recall, Vietnam had been going quite well until the political willpower dried up. Basically people at home were so outraged over a few deaths and the draft that the politicians pulled us out of a situation we were actually winning.

50,000 American deaths for an irrelevant proxy war seems more than just a few don't you think?

We seem to be trying to sign a free trade treaty with communist Vietnam. So I'm not sure as to what the point of that war was supposed to be.

Militarily we did well in Vietnam, politically we lost the will to continue the fight. Considering our system of governance is set up to help make sure that the govt can't wage a war that the people don't support, our withdrawal from Vietnam was good but unfortunately the political failure got conflated with a military failure. The Tet Offensive played a big part in that perception. We were always going to have trouble locating the enemy in the jungle and highlands, and their strongholds of tunnels and bunkers were tough to crack but in direct battles we did really well. When the NVA launched the Tet Offensive it went horribly for them, attack urban centers and US bases resulted in massive casualties for the NVA and VC. Unfortunately for us, all the journalists and correspondents were in the cities and the large scale surprise attack freaked them out and they reported it as a military calamity when really it was great for us. Having the enemy show themselves and attack us where we were strongest resulted in us killing a feth ton of them. Having the battle reported as We can't control the cities the war effort is doomed instead of reporting it as, They finally attacked us head on and we beat the crap out of them, resulted with a PR win for the NVA even though their military never recovered. Ultimately the fact that the govt of South Vietnam that we were propping up militarily never gained the confidence, trust or support of the people meant that we were going to have to either stay there for decades or pull out and have the country fall apart and we went with the latter choice.

**Gordon Shumway**

Except for the whole country falling apart thing. Yeah, we had some political unrest, duly so, but we could have had it much worse, as the soviet did after their Afganistan blunder.