Do we need a military?

[Dungeyland]

I can't believe that there is even a conversation like this. What would the world be like if we didn't have a military? A hellhole. America is the world's only superpower and is essential in the "game" of global politics. By cutting our military, we hang all our allies by the throat. Russia/China/Iran/North Korea/Cuba (yes, Cuba)/Al Qaeda/ Libya/ Democratic Republic of the Congo/ any other country that wants to join in all eat them alive. Not to mention that we're no longer there for disaster relief. Fun...

I disagree. America isn't the world's only superpower. It's the world's only cultural and military* superpower. Economic superpower status is incredibly debatable. Furthermore, China's military is larger in raw manpower (Army, at least), and is growing fast. The only monopoly America has nowadays is the cultural one: you know, fast food, obesity, that sort of stuff.

[Dungeyland]

No, you don't. That way, we Brits can oust Cameron, send the Army over, and take back our Thirteen Colonies!

I'm pretty sure there was a SP episode about this (it also spoofed Clinton and 24).....

Oh, really, that sounds interesting, do you know what it's called?

[Mike the Progressive]

I can't believe that there is even a conversation like this. What would the world be like if we didn't have a military? A hellhole. America is the world's only superpower and is essential in the "game" of global politics. By cutting our military, we hang all our allies by the throat. Russia/China/Iran/North Korea/Cuba (yes, Cuba)/Al Qaeda/ Libya/ Democratic Republic of the Congo/ any other country that wants to join in all eat them alive. Not to mention that we're no longer there for disaster relief. Fun...

I disagree. America isn't the world's only superpower. It's the world's only cultural and military* superpower. Economic superpower status is incredibly debatable. Furthermore, China's military is larger in raw manpower (Army, at least), and is growing fast. The only monopoly America has nowadays is the cultural one: you know, fast food, obesity, that sort of stuff.

Dungey. How is our economic power debatable?

Second, China's military is a joke, a couple of nuclear bombs and....

And our monopoly on fatness and lack of healthy vices is all but being surpassed...

[Mike the Progressive]

I'm pretty sure there was a SP episode about this (it also spoofed Clinton and 24).....

Oh, really, that sounds interesting, do you know what it's called?

The Snuke

[Dungeyland]

I disagree. America isn't the world's only superpower. It's the world's only cultural and military* superpower. Economic superpower status is incredibly debatable. Furthermore, China's military is larger in raw manpower (Army, at least), and is growing fast. The only monopoly America has nowadays is the cultural one: you know, fast food, obesity, that sort of stuff.

Dungey. How is our economic power debatable?

Second, China's military is a joke, a couple of nuclear bombs and....

And our monopoly on fatness and lack of healthy vices is all but being surpassed...

As compared to China, you're economically meh or will be economically meh very soon. I quote this as my source for military strength, and this to disprove the obesity comment.

[GSSR]

The sword is mightier than anything

[Dungeyland]

...and, that data is from '02. But, as someone with a paediatric parent, who always comments that the "obesity epidemic has failed like Burger King's attempt to copy Happy Meals", my point still stands .

[Ceannairceach]

I'm pretty sure there was a SP episode about this (it also spoofed Clinton and 24).....

Oh, really, that sounds interesting, do you know what it's called?

I remember what it was about, "The Snuke" is episode 1104 (#157). The Brits placed a snuke(Vagina Nuke) in Hilary, and as it threatened to blow up the capital, they planned to invade.

Also had this joke.

[EnragedMaldivians]

I can't believe that there is even a conversation like this. What would the world be like if we didn't have a military? A hellhole. America is the world's only superpower and is essential in the "game" of global politics. By cutting our military, we hang all our allies by the throat. Russia/China/Iran/North Korea/Cuba (yes, Cuba)/Al Qaeda/ Libya/ Democratic Republic of the Congo/ any other country that wants to join in all eat them alive. Not to mention that we're no longer there for disaster relief. Fun...

I disagree. America isn't the world's only superpower. It's the world's only cultural and military* superpower. Economic superpower status is incredibly debatable. Furthermore, China's military is larger in raw manpower (Army, at least), and is growing fast. The only monopoly America has nowadays is the cultural one: you know, fast food, obesity, that sort of stuff.

Military superpower in itself is enough. No other power should be able to challenge the U.S pertaining to its military dominance.

China doesn't even have an aircraft carrier - the U.S would annhialate it in a Nuclear War; so their "Raw Manpower" isn't very impressive.

They currently have no Naval power projection capabilities beyond defensive purposes - and any attempt to match the U.S in this regard should be countered by an American Naval build up to keep the "balance" of power in status quo.

Dungey. How is our economic power debatable?

Second, China's military is a joke, a couple of nuclear bombs and....

And our monopoly on fatness and lack of healthy vices is all but being surpassed...

As compared to China, you're economically meh or will be economically meh very soon. I quote this as my source for military strength, and this to disprove the obesity comment.

Ahem - "per capita."

[Mike the Progressive]

Dungey. How is our economic power debatable?

Second, China's military is a joke, a couple of nuclear bombs and....

And our monopoly on fatness and lack of healthy vices is all but being surpassed...

As compared to China, you're economically meh or will be economically meh very soon. I quote this as my source for military strength, and this to disprove the obesity comment.

Actually, they said the same thing about the Japanese in the 80s.....but I'm sure you are right, surely China will be different and it's not like statistics has ever been wrong, that unknown factors haven't changed things.

I doubt the credibility of the military source. Since we have better nukes and the Chinese could have a billion man army but it will do them shit if they are incinerated...

Though I find it comical how self-conscience some of you Brits are. So in an effort to not be inferior to the United States, you are trying to be of less worth than the Chinese? Does that make sense to you?

Eh, but let's not derail the thread any further. If you think the UK is number one still, you keeping thinking that, sport!

[Tratskyvania]

The US doesnt need a military anymore if you ask me. I mean with nearly very strong country in europe in the UN or apart of NATO theres not going to be a war with any nation thats advanced and could actually repel US forces and counter invade the US and successfully win. The days of actualy wars between mordern countrys is over with most modern countrys being allianced. Now its only going to be wars in small impovershed countrys with militia or ill trained troops.

[EnragedMaldivians]

The US doesnt need a military anymore if you ask me. I mean with nearly very strong country in europe in the UN or apart of NATO theres not going to be a war with any nation thats advanced and could actually repel US forces and counter invade the US and successfully win. The days of actualy wars between mordern countrys is over with most modern countrys being allianced. Now its only going to be wars in small impovershed countrys with militia or ill trained troops.

No. The Middle East is one of the most geo-strageically combustible areas in the World - they need American military bases to keep the balance of power stable and the rest of the world needs their oil.

The silliness of suggesting that the U.S doesn't need a military is just baffling.

[Mike the Progressive]

The US doesnt need a military anymore if you ask me. I mean with nearly very strong country in europe in the UN or apart of NATO theres not going to be a war with any nation thats advanced and could actually repel US forces and counter invade the US and successfully win. The days of actualy wars between mordern countrys is over with most modern countrys being allianced. Now its only going to be wars in small impovershed countrys with militia or ill trained troops.

I don't even know what any of that means or how any of that makes sense. You do understand NATO works because it's America shielding Europe, right?

[Salandriagado]

A military? Probably necessary. Military spending well over ten times that of any other country in the world? No. (Particularly when 43% of them are using guns sold to them by the US anyway.)

[Dungeyland]

Oh, really, that sounds interesting, do you know what it's called?

I remember what it was about, "The Snuke" is episode 1104 (#157). The Brits placed a snuke(Vagina Nuke) in Hilary, and as it threatened to blow up the capital, they planned to invade.

Also had this joke.

Can't see those links. UK and Ireland. I'll Wikipedia the episode.

[Norstal]

The US doesnt need a military anymore if you ask me. I mean with nearly very strong country in europe in the UN or apart of NATO theres not going to be a war with any nation thats advanced and could actually repel US forces and counter invade the US and successfully win. The days of actualy wars between mordern countrys is over with most modern countrys being allianced. Now its only going to be wars in small impovershed countrys with militia or ill trained troops.

So, who's gonna do rescue missions if it weren't for the Navy or the Army?

Think about that for a moment.

[Dungeyland]

The US doesnt need a military anymore if you ask me. I mean with nearly very strong country in europe in the UN or apart of NATO theres not going to be a war with any nation thats advanced and could actually repel US forces and counter invade the US and successfully win. The days of actualy wars between mordern countrys is over with most modern countrys being allianced. Now its only going to be wars in small impovershed countrys with militia or ill trained troops.

I don't even know what any of that means or how any of that makes sense. You do understand NATO works because it's America shielding Europe, right?

Wrong. It's America and the UK with France helping a bit sending troops to random places in Africa! God Save the Queen!

[Mike the Progressive]

I don't even know what any of that means or how any of that makes sense. You do understand NATO works because it's America shielding Europe, right?

Wrong. It's America and the UK with France helping a bit sending troops to random places in Africa! God Save the Queen!

EDIT: God Bless America!

[Dungeyland]

Wrong. It's America and the UK with France helping a bit sending troops to random places in Africa! God Save the Queen!

EDIT: God Bless America!

EDIT: God Save the Queen who sent the immigrants who decided to bless America!

[Norstal]

The sword is mightier than anything

Except the pen.

Explosive pens created by the U.S Air Force.

[Mike the Progressive]

I don't even....but that doesn't.....how can you....ok.

[Hypparchia]

Pacifism is a bullshit idea. There have been wars and there will be, many years before and after there were and are men saying otherwise. The military is a necessary component of every society.

[EnragedMaldivians]

I don't even know what any of that means or how any of that makes sense. You do understand NATO works because it's America shielding Europe, right?

Wrong. It's America and the UK with France helping a bit sending troops to random places in Africa! God Save the Queen!

First, read up on the cold war. Then read up on the now.

Then - Read your Mearshimer. Read your Waltz. Read - well, anything.

But I agree - Europe doesn't need so much of an American presence. The Middle East - does. So does East Asia.

[Dungeyland]

But 20% of your budget?

[Tasma]

I believe it stills needs an army in the likelihood it is invaded; just because it only happened once or twice doesn't mean it won't happen again in the future, but I do think we really need to cut the military budget a lot.