Fiscal Cliff Prediction

[THEWULFMAN]

The only reason we didn't outright win the Korean War is because we didn't just take Pyongyang and stop there. No, we had to try and take the whole damn nation and ended up provoking the Chinese into the war.

China better not pull that kind of stunt today if they want us to continue buying from them and making their economy rich.

The only clear victory in the Korean War was the air war. My favorite aircraft, F-86 Sabre, kicked the North Koreans, Chinese and Russians' collective asses.

[Darth Crater]

The main problem with restarting the Korean War is that Seoul will get absolutely destroyed. It's pretty close to the border, and the North Koreans have spent a lot of money on artillery pointed at it.

That, and while we can wipe out their organized military relatively quickly, if mishandled it can turn into the unholy spawn of Iraq and Vietnam. Even if that doesn't happen, South Korea has no desire to deal with the cleanup and care for 24 million impoverished people.

[CommanderOtto]

The main problem with restarting the Korean War is that Seoul will get absolutely destroyed. It's pretty close to the border, and the North Koreans have spent a lot of money on artillery pointed at it.

That, and while we can wipe out their organized military relatively quickly, if mishandled it can turn into the unholy spawn of Iraq and Vietnam. Even if that doesn't happen, South Korea has no desire to deal with the cleanup and care for 24 million impoverished people.

@wulf and crater

Totally true

[(SWGO)SirPepsi]

Being factually incorrect is not a "view."

wow pepsi, so I am suddenly an ignorant person because you don't read newspapers... and regarding the russians, BS?? lol they build ak-37s, submarines and jets and sell it... hell, like if every country has a fighter jet industry to start producing them. If that's factually incorrect go get a subscription of Time magazine or the New York Times. The point I was trying to make here was that Russia has consistently sold to whoever has the money to pay - that, or they've sold to those they've invested in for the sake of ally-dom (namely India), which has now bought Russia back into the modern world with incessant billion-dollar purchase deals. In fact, the US sells to India as well http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/ ... -for-india, and we provide foreign aid to countries whose motives are less than questionable.

and the UN peacekeeping might as well not exist.. they have never done anything to bring peace. Have you ever heard of the fear-factor? Look at africa, that's practically the permanent home of UN peacekeeping. They just stand there while a bunch of guys carrying ak-47s shoot at the population. Look at the failure of Somalia's so called peacekeeping. You say you're competent in regards to military affairs, yet you make comments like this that lead me to disregard them...

I know much more about international politics and war than you. How can you make that assumption without even knowing me. I've made studying to geopolitical climate of the world my passion.I have a collection of military books that belonged to my dad and grandfather who used to be in the army, and I have read most of them... so, even though I agree with you that the budget needed to be reduced, you obviously couldn't stop from telling me I was wrong about everything just because you think you know more or because you feel it's necessary to prove me wrong, I don't feel it's necessary. Like Wulf said, this is a semi-friendly conversation - I just dislike hearing ignorant statements concerning subjects so central to our nation. I don't know... pfft

oh nevermind... i'll just get out of here lol. m'kay these political threads.

"wow I like this icecream"
"BS, you are totally wrong, you are so ignorant.. it's a gelato". Really?

[CommanderOtto]

as I said, it's not like I enjoy insulting you... but you certainly don't talk about it as a friendly conversation. Keep the up the technicalities... and geopolitics is also my passion dummy

- I just dislike hearing ignorant statements concerning subjects so central to our nation

yeah... friendly conversation.

but, if you read my pm, and want to continue talking in a friendly way.....

The U.N peacekeeping, in my opinion, was a failure. I'm not so much an expert when it comes to the U.N but, if it was so successful, then why do we keep hearing stories of somali pirates? When I lived abroad, I was hearing that in the news all the time lol. The U.N, back then in the 90's had to withdraw.

[[m'kay]]

Well if you don't want to be called wrong, then not being wrong would be a good start.

[CommanderOtto]

Well if you don't want to be called wrong, then not being wrong would be a good start.

naa, if someone can prove I was wrong about something, good, but 99% of the time is just someone's opinion against my opinion.. And Iran, it isn't a threat to the U.S national security, but it is related to american interests. Hell, then why do we keep hearing Iran being mentioned in U.S politics all the time? I'm just saying what I see. If the U.S is concerned about iran, it is, how could someone say that is not true? Why then, is the U.S imposing sanctions on Iran? Then how could I be wrong when I said Iran is against american interests?

someone explain please? Without trolling or making it a debate, it's just a question...
Someone just answer my two questions (U.N and Iran) and i'll just stop talking about this.

[WD-40]

The only thing I can say about Iran, is that they are the 'bully' in the sand box. They're also the one's with the box of matches to light the fuse to the bomb that already exists against Israel from an Emotional standpoint. Right now, I liken Iran to lighting matches and throwing them at the ground right next to the fuse...toying with everyones emotions. One day, when they are ready, they will light it, and all hell is gonna break loose.

The UN...is worthless. They are an obvious Paper Tiger and it serves no modern day purpose.

[(SWGO)SirPepsi]

naa, if someone can prove I was wrong about something, good, but 99% of the time is just someone's opinion against my opinion.. And Iran, it isn't a threat to the U.S national security, but it is related to american interests. Hell, then why do we keep hearing Iran being mentioned in U.S politics all the time? I'm just saying what I see. If the U.S is concerned about iran, it is, how could someone say that is not true? Why then, is the U.S imposing sanctions on Iran? Then how could I be wrong when I said Iran is against american interests?

someone explain please? Without trolling or making it a debate, it's just a question...
Someone just answer my two questions (U.N and Iran) and i'll just stop talking about this.

There are several reasons Iran is such a "hot topic" right now in the United States. First, Iran opposes the existence of Israel, a country the US has supported wholeheartedly. Second, Iran has been accused of harbouring terrorists that seek to destroy the United States. Third, Iran has exerted influence in the region to oppose US policies. Fourth, American politicians love a "scapegoat," or someone they can target for their problems - Iran is what they like to target most. Fifth, after 9/11 (terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers), American opinion has shifted sharply against Islam (most Americans are unaware of the true aspects of Islam, and they instead assume that all, or nearly all Muslims are terrorists, while at the same time ignoring the terrorists in their own religion. Sixth, the United States citizenry is genuinely concerned that Iran will either a) attack Israel or b) attack the US and its other allies. This causes our weariness.

You see Otto, many of these fears are viable, but quite a few are not or are our own fault. The following are the "debunkings" of the above concerns:
1) Israel was created by stealing Palestinian land.
2) Excuse is viable - but intelligence (espionage) works better than sanctions, which just hurt the citizens.
3) US policies have threatened Iranian way of life (as perceived by that nation) and have disrupted relations in that area of the world.
4) People love other people to blame. This is what Hitler did to the Jews.
5) People who attacked the US subscribe to a distorted faith that doesn't resemble Islam in the slightest (if you want to know, ask me, and I'll explain how the US has caused the majority of these terrorist acts - not saying that they are completely ot blame (certainly not), but we did have a role)
6) a: Valid concern, Ahmadinejad has threatened Israel. b: Not valid, Iran has been *relatively* peaceful and has maintained a peaceful attitude since the 1950s.

[CommanderOtto]

a fair response.

In my opinion though, Iran, even though it has been relatively peaceful, it has caused lots of trouble. As WD said, they keep throwing the matches to the ground, always saying something that is dangerous (like blowing israel). Is their military a threat, hell no, it is a piece of [poo] army. The U.S could easily destroy their army in less than a week. Still, they are against american interests (not national security), for all the reasons you have pointed out.

but yeah, I have to agree with everything you said. I also agree with what WD said about the U.N.