"The American nuclear umbrella has enabled Western European nations to escape responsibility for their own military survival for more than half a century."
This I didn't know:
"Lack of responsibility has bred irresponsibility, one sign of which are unionized troops in NATO and NATO bomber pilots who have office hours when they will and will not fly, not to mention NATO troops letting American troops handle the really dangerous fighting in Afghanistan."
I wish he were running for POTUS or that McCain had his ability to explain things so cogently. His conclusion is dead on right:
"Maybe the time is overdue for NATO to try to rehabilitate itself and for Americans to stop trying to be "citizens of the world.""
Normally I would not waste time responding to this stuff. It's bullshit. Carole and I have done enough personal homework to determine who we intend to vote for. We both, all of ______'s family, her Ex, and over 17 of my long time friends in various professions intend to vote for Obama. McCain is an interesting guy, plenty of basic smarts but I don't believe he will effect the necessary changes needed to bring this country back to center. You would not believe how USA is now perceived among my international colleagues in S Africa, Germany, UK, Italy, Sweden and Finland. I am old enough and I believe reasonably intelligent enough to have personally seen and experienced how my standard of living and well being has been under 5 Republican Presidents and a congress with a Republican majority. ... I voted for Reagan and Bush #one who were reasonable and had a decent relationship with both sides of the aisle in congress. ... Enough Brother and let's hope and pray that a new administration with new ideas and a realistic dynamic can begin rebuilding relations with other countries and fix the messes we are currently experiencing!No one can convince me that Obama is not up to the daunting tasking waiting for the next presidency. So, no more right wing, conservative bullshit where anything goes. ... -------------- Original message from XXXXXXX@comcast.net: -------------- Thank God For Joe Wurzelbacher ... http://porchmaunderings.blogspot.com