a country on eggshells?

#1
TXA&M07

TXA&M07

Roll the dice....
Joined
Sep 14, 2007
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#1
Someone made this comment yesterday when we were discussing the Boise State Veteran's Day activity. The University apparently had concerns with allowing a 21 gun salute, but eventually allowed for the cerimony to take place on the football feild, if Im not mistaken. Regardless, the topic arose and I thought about that statement (the title of the thread) all afternoon and into the evening. I discussed it at length with my wife aswell, untill both of us were so disgusted, we realized that we had begun to reason illogically about possible solutions. The concern was this: As a country that is evolved into the modern era of forigein relations, trade, and for that matter warfare as a cause of both, what have we become? Is this really where we are? We seem to be a nation that is setting ourselves up for disaster. Im not a doomsday theorist by any means. In fact I am a Bush supporter, from Texas, who was raised by staunch Republicans. Im not ashamed of any of those things either. Im not some "pro-war" idealist who thinks irationally either. But here is my concern. We are at war and will more than likely be involved in the middleast for the rest of our time on earth, atleast, everyone who reads this board today. We do however, have a significant change in the way we are raising these children and their concept of what America is. I teach high school, so I do know somewhat of what I am talking about. Have we become too self indulgent? Too self centered? Too, shall I say, concerned with a sense of entitlement? These next generations will face many daunting tasks concerning foriegn policy and trade, but we have developed them into, already, an uninformed ego centric society. We have led them to believe that we are "America" and can, "put a boot in their a$$". Well, Americans, we havent really done that now have we? We have done some awesome things to rid the world of terror. We have (most of us atleast) rationalized the war to some extent, and realized the situation with a level head. Rome was not built in a day. But we have not over powered or dominated the situation as we have tried to in the past. Modern warfare is filled with diplomacy and economics often come into play, but heres my point. A long time ago, when you went to war, all was fair. Its not now. We wont press the magic button because we are afraid of what others might: A. say, and B. do. France has helped out tremondously over the record books. Thanks for Vietnam, and all your help in the revolution. The Britts are only as strong as their Prime Minister. Russia/Korea would cease an oppertunity imo, if they had it, to rock us. With all of that in consideration, why do we hold back?
The UN along with the US at the lead, acts as the world's police, but I assure you, they would be the first to come down on us for not being human enough. So we drop bombs on Monday and food the rest of the week! Great tactics. Im not calling for us to totally wipe out countries that give us trouble: ie: Most of the Middle East. I'm saying, we can "win" this war we are in. We can "win" right now! We wont, due to diplomacy, but is it worth it? Are these other "super nations" or nuclear powered nations really going to start something if we finish OUR buisness in the Mid east? Do we care/ should we? I mean, seriously, what have they really done for us militarily lately? I understand the "oil" issue too so lets not travel that road of the argument unless we have to. It maybe ignorance of policy on my part. It may be youthfull arrogance on my part, but I assure you all, as a 27 year old man, husband, and educator I feel that I am realitivly intouch with whats up. I have several friends that have served in this war and am thankfull for what they did. I support our troops I assure you all. Im not going to validate my opinon by giving you all my credintials as an American who supports his country. In short, Im concerned that we are headed in a bad direction. With the upcoming election, dangerous changes may be made, and for the worse if we withdraw without solving our issue over there. With that being said, these next generations are facing an uphill battle either way due to their naivtivity about the globe and working thereof. Im typically not this political but I could not get this out of my head. Your thoughts?
 
#2
#2
Chesty Puller said it best.....

"Our Country won't go on forever, if we stay soft as we are now. There won't
be any AMERICA because some foreign soldiery will invade us and take our
women and breed a hardier race!"
-Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC
 
#3
#3
unfortunatly, I forsee a rude awakening in the near future, (20 years or less) for us. We can say it will be other people's problem, but thats a farce. What we are doing right now, has a direct impact on our future as a nation. We have become too "pc" if you will. I dont know who said it, but it rings true: "If you dont stand for something, you'll fall for anything." We might fall for our mistakes we make and the life we enjoy, might change drastically. None of what I have said is a "new revelation" or a new concept. Saying, "You learn from your mistakes" is not ground breaking I know. It just concerns me and as of late, Ive thought on it more.
 
#4
#4
Preach on brother. I recall Robert D Raiford calling this country "The United States of The Offended"
 
#5
#5
Interesting times ahead indeed.

China and India will begin to dominate the international economy.

We will return to a multiple superpower format but in a more connected world than ever existed.

Adaptation will be essential and a sense of entitlement is antithetical to adaptation.
 
#7
#7
Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

very libral, but......
 
#9
#9
I love this post. I could not agree more. I truely feel America has headed in the wrong direction. I am not saying I am 100 percent for the war, but I disagree that we should stop it now. I feel that if we did that, the work we have done, and the lives that were lost over there would be all for lost. IMO
 
#12
#12
In all of the talk of "we're heading in the wrong direction" I see no definition of the "right direction". Can someone define what the 'right direction' is?
 
#13
#13
CSpindizzy said:
In all of the talk of "we're heading in the wrong direction" I see no definition of the "right direction". Can someone define what the 'right direction' is?
Click to expand...


Old fashioned 1790's values!

KJV version only Bibles in every home!

We will pretend the 1611 Bible doesn't exist!

Isolationism!

Limited rights for minority groups!
 
#14
#14
White male property owners the only one with rights to vote, right? Or Thomas Jefferson having sexual relations with his 3/5 of a vote/piece of property and bearing a child out of wedlock with said piece of property? Or one of my favorites.....one Senator caning another Senator on the floor of the Senate. Straight up duels and fights.
 
#16
#16
CSpindizzy said:
White male property owners the only one with rights to vote, right? Or Thomas Jefferson having sexual relations with his 3/5 of a vote/piece of property and bearing a child out of wedlock with said piece of property? Or one of my favorites.....one Senator caning another Senator on the floor of the Senate. Straight up duels and fights.
Click to expand...


:hi:

We have to get back to what this country was founded on!

:yes:
 
#17
#17
CSpindizzy said:
In all of the talk of "we're heading in the wrong direction" I see no definition of the "right direction". Can someone define what the 'right direction' is?
Click to expand...

In my view - there doesn't have to be a right direction. Those who cannot adapt to the new realities (and shape those realities) will be sorely disappointed.

Overall, I opt for maximizing individual freedom within societal and global constraints. Entitlements are an infringement since they generally involve wealth redistribution of some sort. Redistribution is not necessarily bad provided that said redistribution results in a net increase in opportunity (or reduces negative consequences of income divides).

Attempts to prevent change are futile and represent wrong directions IMHO. Nothing wrong with trying to preserve traditions or power structures but ultimately efforts aimed an institutionalizing the current state (eg. entitlements) reduce adaptation ability.

How's that for some mumbo jumbo?
 
#18
#18
I think the adulterous, scandalous, hypocritical politicians part has remained the same since the founding days. The media situation really hasn't changed much either.
 
#21
#21
volinbham said:
In my view - there doesn't have to be a right direction. Those who cannot adapt to the new realities (and shape those realities) will be sorely disappointed.

Overall, I opt for maximizing individual freedom within societal and global constraints. Entitlements are an infringement since they generally involve wealth redistribution of some sort. Redistribution is not necessarily bad provided that said redistribution results in a net increase in opportunity (or reduces negative consequences of income divides).

Attempts to prevent change are futile and represent wrong directions IMHO. Nothing wrong with trying to preserve traditions or power structures but ultimately efforts aimed an institutionalizing the current state (eg. entitlements) reduce adaptation ability.

How's that for some mumbo jumbo?
Click to expand...

If anything our country and method of government was designed to evolve in whatever means the majority take it as long as the basic rights are protected. Look at how far we've already evolved. As we've already mentioned, the right to vote has gone from property owning white males over 21 to any non-felon citizen 18 and up. Our foreign policy went from Washington's 'don't get into foreign alliances and entanglements' to we are the power and police of the world. I honestly don't think there is a specific 'right direction'. The process is fluid and the right direction one day is the wrong direction the next.
 
#22
#22
CSpindizzy said:
If anything our country and method of government was designed to evolve in whatever means the majority take it as long as the basic rights are protected. Look at how far we've already evolved. As we've already mentioned, the right to vote has gone from property owning white males over 21 to any non-felon citizen 18 and up. Our foreign policy went from Washington's 'don't get into foreign alliances and entanglements' to we are the power and police of the world. I honestly don't think there is a specific 'right direction'. The process is fluid and the right direction one day is the wrong direction the next.
Click to expand...


God Bless America!

:hi:
 
#23
#23
CSpindizzy said:
If anything our country and method of government was designed to evolve in whatever means the majority take it as long as the basic rights are protected. Look at how far we've already evolved. As we've already mentioned, the right to vote has gone from property owning white males over 21 to any non-felon citizen 18 and up. Our foreign policy went from Washington's 'don't get into foreign alliances and entanglements' to we are the power and police of the world. I honestly don't think there is a specific 'right direction'. The process is fluid and the right direction one day is the wrong direction the next.
Click to expand...

As a collective, the system works (or it least it has for it's relatively short history). I agree with your assessment.

It is the individuals though that must ultimately adapt. For all those changes there were winners and losers. The entitlement mentality in particular is counter-productive to such personal adaptation for those currently expecting entitlements.
 
#24
#24
CSpindizzy said:
In all of the talk of "we're heading in the wrong direction" I see no definition of the "right direction". Can someone define what the 'right direction' is?
Click to expand...


Why yes. Not a problem sir.


10_Comm.gif
 
#25
#25
My thread has taken some twists and turns, seemingly, identical to modern political views, but I do agree with many of you. To paraphrase, "The individuals must ultimately adapt". I couldnt agree more. WE as in you and I are futuristic, broad visioned individuals that have obviously recognized this as an issue rather that ignoring it with our arrogance and narrow-mindedness. With that said, WE should practice as well as we preach. To be frank, the ideology of our country has evolved where the above mentioned "WASP" mentality has been stricken from modern culture. Our values have evolved and for the most part we have teetered on the edge of corruption and morality. In my original post, I was asking for a culmination of suggestions to the resolution. A "call to arms" if you will. I mean that metophorically of course, but you get the idea I think. With this knowledge we have now concerning our fate, what can WE do to make the change. I feel overwhelmed at times when I think about this, but we cannot allow that sense of helplessness take over. Just my thoughts guys, your thoughts have been welcomed. I'll check back in in the a.m.. Best regards to all who have contributed to this.....God bless.
 
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