Excellent, I've always felt that we should use our militaries a little bit more like the romans, public works projects. As an aside, it would probably help them get their job done too. It's good to see something like this happening. Maybe when we see it happening here, more militaires will take up the idea. Many play some role in public works, but a more hands on approach lie this is definitely a good thing to see.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungGood post.
The America I am proud to be a citizen of:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070622/wl_csm/oafricom
Such projects are so important. Funding for infra structures is so much better than subsidies, especially if they by pass corrupt regiemes.
I note that:
Rear Admiral Moeller says CJTF-HOA provides a good example of the kind of interagency coordination that AFRICOM hopes to achieve. "We've understood for a long time that the challenges in Africa cannot be solved by the military alone. Economic development, responsive governance, health, crime, and poverty are all pieces of the security environment."
Also
"January's air strikes targeting al-Qaeda suspects in southern Somalia had a disastrous impact on America's image in the region," he says. "US gunships didn't take off from Camp Lemonier but many people in the region assume it is all part of the same plan."
At least US military on the ground realise the dangers of mindless reactions, even if the foolish rightwing fools who sit on their backsides, sending in troops to do their dirty work, do not.
Originally posted by agrysonThis is nothing new. The American military is continually helping build infrastructure in and sending medical help to many places throughout the world. The U.S. Military is the worlds premier humanitarian organization. Has been for decades.
Excellent, I've always felt that we should use our militaries a little bit more like the romans, public works projects. As an aside, it would probably help them get their job done too. It's good to see something like this happening. Maybe when we see it happening here, more militaires will take up the idea. Many play some role in public works, but a more hands on approach lie this is definitely a good thing to see.
Originally posted by MerkYes, but you know they will eventually hate us for helping them. They'll bitch that we spent more money in East Jabip then we did on them. Please tell me there's no oil there.
This is nothing new. The American military is continually helping build infrastructure in and sending medical help to many places throughout the world. The U.S. Military is the worlds premier humanitarian organization. Has been for decades.
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I'm not a fan of a lot of the things the US does either, but one thing at a time, I think this is a positive step, and the more it is tried (and not hindered) the more it will work, giving new options to resolve many (though probably not all) issues.
It does depend on how it's done though. concentrating on one large project here or there can be counter productive. The local population lacking building materials often strip the new buildings as soon as the construction team has left. It's that or live in squallor. Many small projects (budget and time permitting) can often have a much longer lasting effect.
Yes, changing the US policy on AIDs relief for instance (professing abstinence... not too forward thinking) amongst others would have benefits too, probably much bigger ones, but I think this is a good thing, a good step, and not to be knocked.
Edit... that was in response to Shavixmir, by the way.
Originally posted by agryson" This is a goog Step" ?
I'm not a fan of a lot of the things the US does either, but one thing at a time, I think this is a positive step, and the more it is tried (and not hindered) the more it will work, giving new options to resolve many (though probably not all) issues.
It does depend on how it's done though. concentrating on one large project here or there can be counter pro ...[text shortened]... , a good step, and not to be knocked.
Edit... that was in response to Shavixmir, by the way.
You speak as if this is the first time we have done such a thing.
We have been doing it for the last 70 years, and get nothing except pissed on!
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Originally posted by smw6869We have been doing it for the last 70 years, and get nothing except pissed on!
Yes, but you know they will eventually hate us for helping them. They'll bitch that we spent more money in East Jabip then we did on them. Please tell me there's no oil there.
No; they'll hate us for our aggressive combat operations and other reasons, like our support of Israel. Why again is the US giving this semi-theocracy handouts?
Originally posted by smw6869In fairness, it's hardly been a consistent policy of late.
" This is a goog Step" ?
You speak as if this is the first time we have done such a thing.
We have been doing it for the last 70 years, and get nothing except pissed on!
You did it seventy years ago, and even then for very politically motivated reasons. Since then it's been a little unpredictable whether you'd come in with shovels or guns.
I bite my tongue and say a good thing about the US, doing my best to see the one little positive (and I stand by this being a positive thing) and not flip out by pointing out irrelevant nasties in other parts of the world. But no, it's not good enough, you insist on me dropping to my knees and proclaiming the US as saviour of the world.
They're not, they're mucking up more than they're fixing, but that shouldn't stop me from being able to separate the two.
This is a good step because it is the first time in recent history that they're trying something less aggressive. They have not been doing it (or at least not as a consistent foreign policy) for 70 years, they did it 70 years ago.
And even then it was not through some humanitarian sense of justice, but purely to prevent Russia getting any further west.
Jesus, you had to get greedy and bite the hand didn't you?
Originally posted by AThousandYoungFunny how there has to be reason for it other than it being a good thing.
[b]We have been doing it for the last 70 years, and get nothing except pissed on!
No; they'll hate us for our aggressive combat operations and other reasons, like our support of Israel. Why again is the US giving this semi-theocracy handouts?[/b]
But you're probably right, I'm pretty sure it's an attempt to increase local support in the area since the increase in US supported military operations nearby a few months ago. I only wish it could've been for more laudable reasons.
Originally posted by agrysonDo the expression: Hook, line and sinker mean anything to you? So, you do suggest that maybe we are there for military reasons in that region? You have proven my point, sir!
In fairness, it's hardly been a consistent policy of late.
You did it seventy years ago, and even then for very politically motivated reasons. Since then it's been a little unpredictable whether you'd come in with shovels or guns.
I bite my tongue and say a good thing about the US, doing my best to see the one little positive (and I stand by this being a p ...[text shortened]... getting any further west.
Jesus, you had to get greedy and bite the hand didn't you?
I,sir, am for the US pulling our military out of all foreign soil. Let the rest of the world help the poor and starving. And let my tax money go to helping our own poor.
We don't need YOUR approval for doing something right(For a change)You stuffed shirt. And what makes you think Military Action (to help our friends) is such a bad thing? My God, how dare we help keep the USSR from expanding further west. We are soooo self centered.
Sir,if you will, take your atomic absorption spectrophotometer, stick it,and turn the switch to Ream.