tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post5424856334058868277..comments2024-03-26T05:18:53.709-04:00Comments on Pen and Sword: Hegemon Hold 'EmJeff Huberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-29330825600646564442010-02-06T22:03:21.135-05:002010-02-06T22:03:21.135-05:00The issue with Russia and China is not so much how...The issue with Russia and China is not so much how many of what kind of soldiers they have, but where can they put them. <br /><br />Only the US can invade and occupy countries halfway across the world from itself. <br /><br />JJeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-41708913161821144892010-02-06T19:50:01.547-05:002010-02-06T19:50:01.547-05:00Much of the reason why Russia and China spend a fr...Much of the reason why Russia and China spend a fraction of what the US does on their military budgets is that they are capable of getting considerably more "bang for their buck" than we do. And both Russia and China, unlike the US, have growing economies and have plenty of "wiggle room" to increase their military spending if they are so inclined. And there's the question of manpower. Just look at the number of bodies (AND brains!) that the Chinese can put into the field, and look at the legendary hardihood of the Russian people and military over the centuries. Can we match that?1389https://www.blogger.com/profile/04335705483244616965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-36283584493434351952008-09-05T22:34:00.000-04:002008-09-05T22:34:00.000-04:00Nobody's always right. Not even (gasp!) me.Nobody's always right. Not even (gasp!) me.Jeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-16200003205928789202008-09-05T22:13:00.000-04:002008-09-05T22:13:00.000-04:00it"s funny to see that it's always those retired m...it"s funny to see that it's always those retired military people that are always rightkapetan Milehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10647425576134013350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-48125324037669096962008-08-28T10:21:00.000-04:002008-08-28T10:21:00.000-04:00Robert Wexler, in his new book, "Fire Breathing Li...Robert Wexler, in his new book, "Fire Breathing Liberal", has the following quote from John F. Kennedy: <BR/><BR/>"When we got into office, the thing that surprised me most was to find things were just as bad as we had been saying they were." <BR/><BR/>I suspect we may hear similar words, in January, 2009.Elderladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02268520056042293783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-16124147623268432092008-08-28T07:57:00.000-04:002008-08-28T07:57:00.000-04:00Is there any truth to the news i've seen (Aug. 27t...Is there any truth to the news i've seen (Aug. 27th) that Bush has snuck 3 more battle groups (aircraft carriers and support) to the Persian Gulf while everyone is watching the convention? There of course is no mention of it in the mainstream media.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-38852067576420217932008-08-28T07:53:00.000-04:002008-08-28T07:53:00.000-04:00Commander, Former Republican Congressman, Bob Ney,...Commander, <BR/>Former Republican Congressman, Bob Ney, who was just released from prison, has been interviewed by Thom Hartmann, on his Air America radio show. There is a transcript of most of the interview on Josh Michael's "Talking Points Memo." <BR/>A couple of things: Bob Ney, who speaks Farsi, was dealing "back channel" with the Swiss ambassador, and Iran. Claims the existence of a letter, from Tehran, in which they state their willingness, to, among other things recognize Israel. Interesting interview. <BR/><BR/>Another interesting tidbit, I found this morning on Op-Ednews.com.<BR/> <BR/>One of Dick Cheney's senior foreign policy advisors was in Tblisi, just prior to the outbreak of war. (No surprise there.)<BR/><BR/>The Democrats should have left the "zinger" in Dennis K's speech last night. The line went "they want 4 more years, --- in a just world --- they would get 10-20."<BR/><BR/>Speculation about Ted Steven's "troubles" is that he didn't fall in line with the GOP mantra (i.e. John McCain) on drilling in ANWR. <BR/><BR/>Most of this suspect activity: including the Republicans ratting out their own, and all these damned wars, have the Cheney fingerprints all over them. <BR/><BR/>Next week in St. Paul should be interesting.... to say the least.<BR/><BR/>Cheney is scheduled to speak.Elderladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02268520056042293783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-48450785791852842762008-08-27T13:29:00.000-04:002008-08-27T13:29:00.000-04:00Or plays like he's playing Risk!Or plays like he's playing Risk!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-57059533956620747942008-08-26T21:38:00.000-04:002008-08-26T21:38:00.000-04:00FkD, Yep, he plays like there's no risk. JeffFkD, <BR/><BR/>Yep, he plays like there's no risk. <BR/><BR/>JeffJeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-728363739492872942008-08-26T20:44:00.000-04:002008-08-26T20:44:00.000-04:00When there is smoke there is fire... Cheney sure s...When there is smoke there is fire... Cheney sure seems like one of those smokejumpers with a torch starting a backfire! <BR/>I note that Cheney allegedly pushed for the development and doctrine for use of tactical nuclear bunkerbusters...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-90900662866897923112008-08-26T11:14:00.000-04:002008-08-26T11:14:00.000-04:00EL, My first thought is that if Cindy McCain doesn...EL, <BR/><BR/>My first thought is that if Cindy McCain doesn't scare everyone away, nothing can. <BR/><BR/>JJeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-50993489143543709682008-08-26T11:08:00.000-04:002008-08-26T11:08:00.000-04:00Add to all you already have -- the main guy in Rus...Add to all you already have -- the main guy in Russia (Medvedev) has decided to "recognize" the independence of the two breakaway "whatevers", South Ossetia and the one I can't spell or pronounce.<BR/><BR/>And, we have warships (probably carrying more baby food and bottled water) on the way to the Port of Poti, which is more or less occupied by the Russians.<BR/><BR/>So, Commander --- whose going to "blink" in this game of nuclear chicken. Us -- or Them? Or will anybody?Elderladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02268520056042293783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-66757396238917192562008-08-26T09:26:00.000-04:002008-08-26T09:26:00.000-04:00Watching the coverage of the DNC last night, I kep...Watching the coverage of the DNC last night, I kept seeing this trailer across the bottom of the secreen:"Cindy McCain is on her way to Georgia to make an assesment of civilian casualties. And, to visit with their "good friend" Mahiel Shaskavilli." (?)<BR/><BR/>My first thought was "No..... he didn't." <BR/><BR/>But, yes he did. He dispatched his wife to Georgia. <BR/><BR/>I guess..... painful wrist, sling, and all. <BR/><BR/>Good Grief!Elderladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02268520056042293783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-37984381343581243402008-08-25T22:41:00.000-04:002008-08-25T22:41:00.000-04:00Just to make things very clear, I have no known bi...Just to make things very clear, I have no known biologocial relationship with H. Cooper. I can pretty much guarantee this as my father was the first member of the family to be born here.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15418129339565606380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-86880389427809258442008-08-25T16:59:00.000-04:002008-08-25T16:59:00.000-04:00Please check out this "gravitational force":http:/...Please check out this "gravitational force":<BR/><BR/>http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/JH26Ag03.html<BR/><BR/>MeMyselfEyeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-81835387743203484782008-08-25T16:42:00.000-04:002008-08-25T16:42:00.000-04:00Russ, You know, the more I think about it, the mor...Russ, <BR/><BR/>You know, the more I think about it, the more I wonder how the Georgians could be dumb enough to have made someone as dumb as him their president. But wait, look at us. <BR/><BR/>Chris, <BR/><BR/>Cheney must think his cloaking device still works. <BR/><BR/>WK, <BR/><BR/>Of course the Iraqis have electricity. How else could they see to bomb each other at night? <BR/><BR/>JJeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-83884261108922960742008-08-25T13:57:00.000-04:002008-08-25T13:57:00.000-04:00It never ceases to amaze and confound what form of...It never ceases to amaze and confound what form of "democracy" our current Group of Bad Actors think they are exporting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-30967216243744002142008-08-25T13:41:00.000-04:002008-08-25T13:41:00.000-04:00Nobody says this better. As you read it you get a...Nobody says this better. As you read it you get a sense of Déjà vu as if you are having something explained that you already know, yet hardly anyone factors it into their analysis. It doesn't stop with the neocons, or at least the American ones. The whole mindset is spread through the empire's satellites.<BR/><BR/>I loved your introductory metaphor with the astronomers and planets.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-35250034519481362008-08-25T13:33:00.000-04:002008-08-25T13:33:00.000-04:00"I can't decide who among Cheney, Saakashvili and ..."I can't decide who among Cheney, Saakashvili and Cooper is dull enough to believe that Georgia could defend itself against Russia with a truckload of shoulder-fired SAMs. . ."<BR/><BR/>Hey it worked with the mujahadeen against Russia, didn't it? Actually, though what I most don't get about this whole thing: Did Saakashvili actually think the US and/or NATO would come to his defense and fight Russia?<BR/><BR/>If he believed that, he's even less qualified for his job than was previously thought.Russ Wellenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598728646589830119noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-80898187237894763402008-08-25T11:29:00.000-04:002008-08-25T11:29:00.000-04:00John, Exactly, realpolitik doesn't apply for these...John, <BR/><BR/>Exactly, realpolitik doesn't apply for these guys. I added a few more "so whats" to the essay. They literally have all to gain and nothing to lose. <BR/><BR/>JeffJeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-33557581747179597142008-08-25T11:13:00.000-04:002008-08-25T11:13:00.000-04:00I am convinced that Cheney's calculations of power...I am convinced that Cheney's calculations of power would be alien to any of the real master of Real Politik.<BR/><BR/>Thank God the current threshold for a nuclear exchange is high, or I swear he'd find a way to get us in one.<BR/><BR/>Instead of conventional calculations of risk, I see calculations based on ideological purity and aggrandizement of personal power. Rather than the way my father used to kick off military briefings during the Nixon administration where the briefing would be begin with a list of who is in military contact with whom, who got killed or injured, and what is at risk, I see a Cheney briefing opening with which donor promised what, who's unhappy in the neocon base, and how they can get even with Republicans Cheney perceives as having "deserted" the cause.<BR/><BR/>In other words, Cheney and "W" don't perceive risk because they consciously don't look for and wouldn't know it if wacked them over the head with a Backfire bomber. We're ruled by moral cowards who believe power is their birth right and stewardship is something liberals do. We're really lucky it isn't any worse than it is. Really lucky . . .Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15418129339565606380noreply@blogger.com