comments_imageCOMMENTS: 82

The Costs of Empire: Can We Really Afford 1,000 Overseas Bases?

Our overseas military bases are pushing the nation deeper into debt and making the United States and the planet less secure.
March 10, 2009  |  
 
 
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In the midst of an economic crisis that's getting scarier by the day, it's time to ask whether the nation can really afford some 1,000 military bases overseas. For those unfamiliar with the issue, you read that number correctly. One thousand. One thousand U.S. military bases outside the 50 states and Washington, DC, representing the largest collection of bases in world history.

Officially the Pentagon counts 865 base sites, but this notoriously unreliable number omits all our bases in Iraq (likely over 100) and Afghanistan (80 and counting), among many other well-known and secretive bases. More than half a century after World War II and the Korean War, we still have 268 bases in Germany, 124 in Japan, and 87 in South Korea. Others are scattered around the globe in places like Aruba and Australia, Bulgaria and Bahrain, Colombia and Greece, Djibouti, Egypt, Kuwait, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, and of course, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba -- just to name a few. Among the installations considered critical to our national security are a ski center in the Bavarian Alps, resorts in Seoul and Tokyo, and 234 golf courses the Pentagon runs worldwide.

Unlike domestic bases, which set off local alarms when threatened by closure, our collection of overseas bases is particularly galling because almost all our taxpayer money leaves the United States (much goes to enriching private base contractors like corruption-plagued former Halliburton subsidiary KBR). One part of the massive Ramstein airbase near Landstuhl, Germany, has an estimated value of $3.3 billion. Just think how local communities could use that kind of money to make investments in schools, hospitals, jobs, and infrastructure.

Even the Bush administration saw the wastefulness of our overseas basing network. In 2004, then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced plans to close more than one-third of the nation's overseas installations, moving 70,000 troops and 100,000 family members and civilians back to the United States. National Security Adviser Jim Jones, then commander of U.S. forces in Europe, called for closing 20% of our bases in Europe.  According to Rumsfeld's estimates, we could save at least $12 billion by closing 200 to 300 bases alone. While the closures were derailed by claims that closing bases could cost us in the short term, even if this is true, it's no reason to continue our profligate ways in the longer term.

Costs Far Exceeding Dollars and Cents

Unfortunately, the financial costs of our overseas bases are only part of the problem.  Other costs to people at home and abroad are just as devastating. Military families suffer painful dislocations as troops stationed overseas separate from loved ones or uproot their families through frequent moves around the world. While some foreign governments like U.S. bases for their perceived economic benefits, many locals living near the bases suffer environmental and health damage from military toxins and pollution, disrupted economic, social, and cultural systems, military accidents, and increased prostitution and crime. 


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Comments are closed-

Thank you
Posted by: matty848 on Mar 10, 2009 12:43 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Hi David,

Thank you for the article. Your work is indispensable.

Former student,
Matt

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But how else to fight al-Qaeda (and other fairytale nonsense we get from the official 9/11 story)?
Posted by: pfgetty on Mar 10, 2009 2:59 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Yes, thanks for the article.
Our bases are killing us. Literally, financially, diplomatically, morally.
But we built these bases, they said, to fight communists in all the nooks and corners of the globe. When communism went out of vogue as a reason for these bases, they brought us 9/11.

9/11 is the reason now that most people in the US are fine with having all of these bases. Fighting terrorism, they say, is something that must be done in every country, every bit of civil strife anywhere, every place where there are disgruntled people. They say all of these people will join al-Qaeda and destroy the US if we don't have bases everywhere for our troops and for the CIA and other covert operatives to work out of.

Of course, all of this is bullshit. 9/11 was an inside job, brought to us to present us with the New Pearl Harbor, so that they could maintain and multiply our bases. And as long as 9/11 lies live, these bases will remain. And eat us alive.

All of this could be reversed quite easily. Tell us, Alternet, about the lies of 9/11. If other alternative media would do the same, we would have a groundswell of activism from at least the left, and maybe the middle, and even the msm would join in finally and report the biggest story of all time: the con job that is 9/11

You can do it, Alternet. Tell us the truth of 9/11. Break the conspiracy you have joined in keeping this story from us. Change the world........big time!

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» You bring up a good point . . . Posted by: dustdevil

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Close all bases
Posted by: robchapman on Mar 10, 2009 4:42 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Right's dirty little secret is that our overseas military presence is a casus belli.

North Korea would not exist in its present state without the threat of US forces south of the DMZ.

Our bases in Saudi Arabia are the direct reason for al Qaada's attack on us.

Other powers are secure without foreign bases.

Fantasy land is the place where people believe this huge military establishment is anything but a target.

It is time to renounce the empire and withdraw the troops.

Robert Chapman
Lansing, NY

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» RE: Close all bases Posted by: willymack

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USA is a military-financial complex with a country
Posted by: MeyravLevine on Mar 10, 2009 5:34 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I heard the well known Pakistani-British activist Tariq Ali describe Pakistan as "an Army having a country".

In the same spirit, I think we can safely describe US as a military-financial complex with a country.

We are a rogue state. The state is not beholden to the people. In fact, we are probably the most propagandized people in the world.

Almost all of the news we consume is a corporate product crafted by a handful of corporations such as GE and Disney.

We have a double-digit unemployment rate yet people are still silently accepting the abuse of our trust and financial assets.

We are losing jobs to China/Indian even as the same Corporations receive funds from Federal stimulus package.

In a way, we deserve to be where we are today.

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winston
Posted by: roli on Mar 10, 2009 6:23 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Neil Bush, GW Bush brother had connection with the Twin Towers.

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» RE: winston...CSI Posted by: Captainmagic
» RE: winston Posted by: willymack
» RE: winston Posted by: 2thepoint
» RE: winston Posted by: rotorooter
» RE: winston Posted by: 2thepoint

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Ex military
Posted by: jleman on Mar 10, 2009 6:27 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Being in the military during the last part of the sixties, I was stationed in northern Japan. The "reason" for the base was the security listening post which could pick up transmissions from around the world. In my specialty, to the rest of the world, people like me were only "based" in the continental US because outside the US we would be considered not defensive but aggressive. Military double speak. Covered in layers of secretiveness.
The point is, we had this great golf course. Many of the bases did. For the regular Japanese to pay for green fees to play golf, it is cheaper for them to fly to Hawaii or the States to play - unless they were "in" with the US military.
During my time at this base, I learned that sometimes the person running the show was the head enlisted man, and having shown many visiting brass, including congress people, a "good time", including photos for later "leverage", nothing was beyond doing if it would bring more power.
Main defense manufacturers weren't beyond graft and corruption. And, they were never charged nor were facts ever shown the light of day even though reported up through the chain of command. They put our military personnel at risk, and our country at peril, for their greed. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, was a limit on what they were capable of. And, it is all about the money and power.
Shut the bases down, and at any cost. The reason I say this, is that I know that even though they'll find some way to screw us, at least we won't be on the hook for that military base any longer. Starve the beast.

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winston
Posted by: roli on Mar 10, 2009 6:28 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We spend more money on the military budget than all country's put together and that does not count for the wars we are fighting. It is time to rethink our goals or we will end up like ancient history.

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"Call US if you need US" ...We're Out of Here
Posted by: Purple Girl on Mar 10, 2009 6:48 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Since these are 'Soveriegn' Nations they should be able to handle their own defense. If shit gets hairy- they have our number. Otherwise these countries ahd better start kicking down big bucks for US to be their hired Military/police force or 'scary' Big Brothers.
WE have the ability to see what is going on and address it through technological advances.The only real problem is what do we do with all the people returning to find other jobs in this economy? Perhaps some would like to stay and assimilate into these host countries instead. The Alps you say?

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» Re: How would you like... Posted by: fearn

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That's what we get when we the people keep allowing this machoegotistical shit to pervade us !
Posted by: Jennifer Bedingfield on Mar 10, 2009 7:19 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Frankly, I'm all for shutting off those bases and letting those nations fend for themselves. Besides, they're in much better shape than the debtor nation we are. And whichever nations squeal at us for pulling out, I say sorry but you're better off without us. And to the troops and their folks who are against removing those uncalled-for bases, quit supporting imperialism damn it !

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The fall of the Roman Empire
Posted by: phist on Mar 10, 2009 7:49 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Roman Empire fell because its military was fighting for money rather than land. I agree that the American Empire needs to end before it falls but it's not really looking like that is going to happen soon enough. When suddenly the U.S. dollar converts like shit to other currencies is the day the American empire will fall.

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The answer to your question:
Posted by: sawdust on Mar 10, 2009 7:53 AM   
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NO.

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1000 miltary bases
Posted by: raine1 on Mar 10, 2009 7:53 AM   
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"A thousand points of light"...remember Pappy Bush's speech???

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This country is missing the boat if -----
Posted by: symcokid on Mar 10, 2009 8:09 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
it believes a million soldiers stationed in over one hundred and thirty foreign countries and maintaining a thousand military bases worldwide is going to be enough to keep us safe from the one enemy that should be the most apparent and uppermost in our minds. Of course all of this expenditure has us nearly bankrupt and leaves us defenseless to develop new technology to thwart off another enemy that we have and who want to take us over - namely, the Space Aliens.

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No. We don't need them.
Posted by: gar1948 on Mar 10, 2009 8:41 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
One of the things that broke Rome was maintaining so many far-flung outposts. And one has to ask, what exactly is it we are defending against in Germany that requires 268 separate bases?

It is no wonder we spend twice as much on "defense" as the rest of the whole world combined. Why should the other countries waste their money on defense when we are taking care of it for them - and contributing nicely to their local economies at the same time.

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Who is the "We" that Needs a Large Standing Army?
Posted by: PaulK on Mar 10, 2009 9:10 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Monaco might need at least 7 aircraft carriers to feel militarily safe from its much larger neighbors, but the country doesn't have enough population to even man 7 aircraft carriers, much less build them. So, Monaco relies on diplomacy. Per capita, their citizens are far richer than Americans.

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Time to starve the beast........
Posted by: Spiritgirl on Mar 10, 2009 9:12 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In defense of "homeland" security, I believe that now is the time to starve the beast called the Military-Industrial-Complex! Are we safer as a people, because we are propping up dictators in other countries, NO! Are we safer as a nation when our troops in other countries behave in a reckless manner toward the host country, NO! Are we even prepared as a nation, to understand that at this point in time we have enough firepower to destroy the planet and it's inhabitants, NO!

"They" in the "Defense Industry" will say that jobs are created and on the line. I will say that it is high time that we stop with the warfare mongering. As FDR said "the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself..." Well really, I believe that what we have to fear are those that continue to pursue war as the first option! Those that would shun diplomacy as some girlie-man option that we cannot afford to have! Those that believe this, are those bullies that know that this government, our government along with corporate allies - that have done enough wrong (propped up bullying dictators for example) in other countries to fear the wrath of those that have been wronged! Frankly, sounds like a guilty conscious to me!!

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wHAT DO YOU GET WITH 1000 BASE CLOSINGS????
Posted by: MAD JEF on Mar 10, 2009 9:21 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Paid healthcare for all, a better chance at a balanced budget and most importantly;
LESS FEAR IN THE WORLD OF BEING ATTACKED BY THE U.S.A.

Right now most of the World lives in fear of what we're going to do as a Country. Standing Armies of more than a million, bases all over the World and contracts with several others only promote the idea that the USA is trying to become a World Empire.

Just like we did with the Native Americans.
'Profit and Plunder' has always been our motto. Nothing's changed.

If Obama was a leader, a TRUE LEADER, he'd have ordered Bush and Co. arrested three seconds after taking the oath of Office. He would have signed Executive Orders halting all our little insurgencies we have been funding, shut down the 'Black Ops' division of the military and created a pact of Non-Aggression with all Nations in the World.

Instead he's supported the greedy,shit on the needy and surrounded himself with the seedy. SO far, he's the same old politician bonehead as the dickhole he replaced.

The People need a LEADER not a Corpie asskisser. Sorry Big O, the things you could have done to cement yourself as a man of the people you failed to do. You helped the Corpie assholes first and not the people.

You still have time to change the tune being played in DC,but do you have the courage to stand against the system? You have the power but will you use it for the People or the Corporations? SO far, you've shown us the same face we've seen for decades ' Change to be Decieved With'

Stand up for the People not AIG!!! AIG won't revolt if they fold up,but the people will if they like it's the same shit diffrent day.

Listen to the people not your 'advisers' for they seek to 'slay Ceaser not glorify him' and we are much better back-up than any military,police force or national Guard. We just need to know you're one of us and put us first over the corpies.
Are you with us Big O????

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a question:
Posted by: hurricane hugo on Mar 10, 2009 9:38 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What percentage of our defense actually goes to defending our homeland? I've never seen a number higher than 20%, and I've seen as low as 6%.

#@!

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» oops! Posted by: hurricane hugo
» Yeah, but... Posted by: hurricane hugo
» RE: Excellent rhetorical question! Posted by: MeyravLevine
» it's not a rhetorical question Posted by: hurricane hugo

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Well, we tried
Posted by: willymack on Mar 10, 2009 9:37 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Belligerence, bellicosity, and bullying, and none of that worked worth a damn, did it? Maybe it's time to try kindness, diplomacy and non-interference. What have we got to lose except unaffordable costs and the ill will of the rest of the world?

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Re: These bases are not about security or...
Posted by: fearn on Mar 10, 2009 9:41 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
defense they are about expanding the military industrial complex and ensuring that America gets far more than its share.
How it done, Google, 'Amoral America', free download.

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Overseas bases?
Posted by: Archie1954 on Mar 10, 2009 10:11 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Billions upon billions of dollars spent on military bases overseas, billions of dollars spent on intelligence services everywhere, hundreds of thousands of military people, thousands of aircraft, ships, tanks and other technologically advanced military equipment and what happens? 17 fanatic, little nobodies from Saudi Arabia commit the most horrendous terrorist attack on the US mainland. Does this not suggest something to you? Think about it.

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» RE: Overseas bases? Posted by: richholland

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The Pelosi factor
Posted by: 2thepoint on Mar 10, 2009 11:27 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Overseas bases just fuel an economy of a country that resents us there to begin with. Let Korea protest us all they want..We pull out and see how fast they cry for help!

To make matter worse a very damaging report just came out on Pelosi regarding her abuse of airforce jets to be at her disposal. The airforce finally said enough is enough, that she was being abusive in her demand for aircraft on standby for her and her family. They were told in short that there would be a lot of disappointed people and a very angry Speaker.

Pull out from our overseas committments and dump Pelosi and we could save trillions!

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» RE: The Pelosi factor Posted by: Quannah
» RE: The Pelosi factor Posted by: 2thepoint
» RE: The Pelosi factor Posted by: debocracy
» RE: The Pelosi factor Posted by: 2thepoint

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EXCELLENT IDEA!!!
Posted by: HeatherC on Mar 10, 2009 11:30 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We should've closed those bases shortly after the U.S.S.R. collapsed. Cold War relics, all of them! This is precisely what Obama should have done first. Of course, in order to accomplish this, we'll need to do two things:

1. A federal tax revolt. Pay your federal taxes to your home state. We can keep our own wheels turning at home while the idiots in Washington wise up and realize what they've been doing wrong. Face it, it's the money. We pay our taxes and they spend however they want. Cut off the money and they get the message.

2. Impose a ten-year moratorium on immigration. When they close the bases, about 2 million military personnel will be coming home and they will need jobs. Immigration will only increase competition in the civilian job market. Our population went from 250 million in 1990 to 300 million in 2005. That's 50 million in just 15 years!

It will take some tough decisions on our part, but this way it should be easy. Let the morons in Washington feel the pain for once.

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» Take a deep breath. . . Posted by: Will Miller
» Heather . . . you're too liberal Posted by: Will Miller

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The Costs of Empire: Can We Really Afford 1,000 Overseas Bases?
Posted by: Quannah on Mar 10, 2009 11:35 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Answer: NO

Close them all. Close them now.

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Sorry, this comment has been removed from the system.

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Joe Gustis
Posted by: Joey G on Mar 10, 2009 11:37 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Good high-level article. Still, I'd love to see an in-depth piece on HOW we could ever begin to draw in our forces and close many of our overseas bases (i.e. "colonies")...a process we should've started immediately following the end of the cold war.

Ignoring America’s addiction to its hegemony, its desire for “forced projection” and the protection of vital energy resources, the most prominent obstacle I can think of is the now infamous military-industrial complex. In light of the current global economic crisis, how can the US even consider cutting spending in this area?

I ask because, in the Pentagon's budget, funds for military hardware are spread throughout as many states as possible. This strategy ensures that any member of congress who might consider voting against military spending would risk (or at least be accused of) putting a portion of his constituents out of work. That’s the last thing any of the perpetually campaigning congressmen would ever consider. In this current state of military Keynesianism that started during WWII, I don’t think it’s any secret that the billions and billions of dollars spent every year on military hardware is what is keeping our economy from totally collapsing at the moment.

In light of such circumstances, how can the Obama administration start closing any of our bases?

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Protect our overseas bases
Posted by: Will Miller on Mar 10, 2009 11:38 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Our overseas bases are critical to the protection of the United States Mainland . . . I am acutely aware of that need. I live in that far off never-land of OREGON, the state on the Pacific Coast that boasts a total of NADA military bases. If it weren't for them overseas bases [for Congressional Junkets] the Ruskies or other narfarious madcaps would sail into Coos Bay and set up shop, unopposed. Beach head established they'd have access to our cranberry bogs to the south and crabpots.

Our mercinary forces must have these overseas bases . . . ignore the call for closing these bases and further weakening our civil soldier military. [Ooooh, Tricky Dickie got rid of that group and Ronnie Baby built up on the mercenary military, my mistake, no civilian military here, all hail the Fourth Reich Wing.]

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Chalmers Johnson discussion ON THIS VERY ISSUE
Posted by: BlueBerry PickN on Mar 10, 2009 11:41 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Chalmers Johnsonon the military-industrial complex on The Real News:

Obama, McCain and the Empire
Chalmers Johnson: No president has stood up to the military-industrial complex October 7, 2008

The encirclement of Russia
Chalmers Johnson: "We have to back down unless we are looking for real confrontation with Russia" Pt 3 October 6, 2008

Last days of the American Republic?
Chalmers Johnson: USA must cut back on military spending and build green infrastructure or face ruin Pt2 October 5, 2008

Massive US military budget passed
Chalmers Johnson: US wrong to believe it can maintain both a military and civilian economy October 4, 2008


Mother Jones: Mission Creep - The map animation that opens this package uses Pentagon worldwide troop data from every half-decade since 1950, plus 2007, the latest year for which the data is available. These numbers are often fuzzy: Some deployments are classified, others are temporary, and just because the Defense Department claims 30 US troops in Indonesia last year doesn't mean 1,500 didn't pass through on training missions. Even so, the map, and the associated research, should give you a good feel for what the Pentagon is up to around the World.

Do you actually believe that THE OTHER BILLIONS OF GLOBAL CITIZENS LIKE BEING TREATED LIKE AMERICAN CHATTEL? ...do you really think we should blather our *thanks* for being Balkanized & WHINSEC'd into compliance to American corporations?

gee... thanks... if we thank you enough, will you stop paying your thugs to kick us to death?





perspective, people.


Perspective.

The Jeff Farias Show: Live, Mon-Fri, 6-9pmEST
podcast

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balance the budget some day
Posted by: edgar1 on Mar 10, 2009 12:12 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Shrinking the Pentagon down to a continental army and the navy to a coastal and caribbean/arctic force can balance the budget someday. And all the ancillaries to the military should go: homeland security, cia, dia, nsa, director of intelligence.

caution: many people will be out of work if military cut. military has been our "new deal" for decades; 9/11 and iraq saved w. bush from economic collapse for three years. these folks have skills but immediate alternate employment not feasible.nevertheless, if we dont slash federal spending way down, our dollar is dirt and the nation ends. (OK, that might be good. discuss that on another day).

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» To the contrary . . . Posted by: Will Miller
» RE: To the contrary . . . Posted by: HeatherC
» RE: rebuttal Posted by: Will Miller

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popham.smith@gmail.com
Posted by: popham on Mar 10, 2009 7:18 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Well--at long last, we are openly discussing
American military bases around the globe.
For nine months, during my campaign as a third
party candidate for President of the U.S.,
I frequently debated and focused on this issue,
but no one was listening. These multiple bases
only serve to damage our image, create tension,
demoralize and anger decent Americans who
apparently are waking up to the gravity of this
issue. To close down even half of those bases,
would reduce political/military stress, bring
troops home and allow others to be re-deployed
to Iraq and Afghanistan, where they are needed.
The actual number of foreign bases at last
count was 823, not including the Middle East
hot spots. Indeed, it is overkill for the U.S.
to be maintaining these bases at such an
exhorbitant cost (billions). We like the idea
of pulling out of some of these countries and
just leave them our phone number in case they
have a problem.

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SHUT DOWN ALL FOREIGN MILITARY BASES!!!!
Posted by: HeatherC on Mar 10, 2009 9:01 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In the current economic crisis, we Americans are finally coming to the realization that we can't be all things to all people. We should have learned this lesson long ago, and now it's time for the rest of the world to realize it too. They send their kids to our colleges and universities to learn how to solve problems in their own countries. Why don't they use that brain power instead of waiting for us to fix everything for them?

We the American people have been setting examples for the world long enough. Now we're hurting. And when our economy fails, the rest of the world's economies fail too. And yet they still scream at us for not doing enough.

Well, they do have a point. We should shake down every politician in Washington. Democrats, Republicans, everyone. No exceptions. We fight to defend the USA, not wars for profit. If we value democracy above all else, then let's use the rights we have to change things. We don't owe the world our toil and sweat or our tax dollars, only our fair share. And when we have a crisis here at home, that crisis becomes our utmost priority. No one else will fix it for us.

We don't need military bases on foreign soil. The world does not need our presence to maintain order. No foreign enemy ever attacked the US without regretting it later on. Our enemies in World War II learned a hard lesson when they attacked us at Pearl Harbor: never disrespect the isolationist policy of a country that can make you regret it.

We're already number one. We have nothing more to prove.

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Ron Paul's been saying this for how many years?!
Posted by: stop_censorship_on_Alternet on Mar 11, 2009 10:25 AM   
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Tell us something new. Even with Obama (or any other corporate-shill politician, Dem or Repub), this ain't gonna change.

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Insane level of US "defense" spending needs to stop
Posted by: Garvagh on Mar 11, 2009 5:03 PM   
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Bravo! Back in the mid-1940s, the US had as much economic power as the rest of the world combined. Those days are long gone, but here we are with the US spending almost as much as the rest of the world combined, on munitions and weapons systems! Truly insane.

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Alternet Comments:

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Thank you
Posted by: matty848 on Mar 10, 2009 12:43 AM   
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Hi David,

Thank you for the article. Your work is indispensable.

Former student,
Matt

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But how else to fight al-Qaeda (and other fairytale nonsense we get from the official 9/11 story)?
Posted by: pfgetty on Mar 10, 2009 2:59 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Yes, thanks for the article.
Our bases are killing us. Literally, financially, diplomatically, morally.
But we built these bases, they said, to fight communists in all the nooks and corners of the globe. When communism went out of vogue as a reason for these bases, they brought us 9/11.

9/11 is the reason now that most people in the US are fine with having all of these bases. Fighting terrorism, they say, is something that must be done in every country, every bit of civil strife anywhere, every place where there are disgruntled people. They say all of these people will join al-Qaeda and destroy the US if we don't have bases everywhere for our troops and for the CIA and other covert operatives to work out of.

Of course, all of this is bullshit. 9/11 was an inside job, brought to us to present us with the New Pearl Harbor, so that they could maintain and multiply our bases. And as long as 9/11 lies live, these bases will remain. And eat us alive.

All of this could be reversed quite easily. Tell us, Alternet, about the lies of 9/11. If other alternative media would do the same, we would have a groundswell of activism from at least the left, and maybe the middle, and even the msm would join in finally and report the biggest story of all time: the con job that is 9/11

You can do it, Alternet. Tell us the truth of 9/11. Break the conspiracy you have joined in keeping this story from us. Change the world........big time!

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» You bring up a good point . . . Posted by: dustdevil

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Close all bases
Posted by: robchapman on Mar 10, 2009 4:42 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Right's dirty little secret is that our overseas military presence is a casus belli.

North Korea would not exist in its present state without the threat of US forces south of the DMZ.

Our bases in Saudi Arabia are the direct reason for al Qaada's attack on us.

Other powers are secure without foreign bases.

Fantasy land is the place where people believe this huge military establishment is anything but a target.

It is time to renounce the empire and withdraw the troops.

Robert Chapman
Lansing, NY

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» RE: Close all bases Posted by: willymack

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USA is a military-financial complex with a country
Posted by: MeyravLevine on Mar 10, 2009 5:34 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I heard the well known Pakistani-British activist Tariq Ali describe Pakistan as "an Army having a country".

In the same spirit, I think we can safely describe US as a military-financial complex with a country.

We are a rogue state. The state is not beholden to the people. In fact, we are probably the most propagandized people in the world.

Almost all of the news we consume is a corporate product crafted by a handful of corporations such as GE and Disney.

We have a double-digit unemployment rate yet people are still silently accepting the abuse of our trust and financial assets.

We are losing jobs to China/Indian even as the same Corporations receive funds from Federal stimulus package.

In a way, we deserve to be where we are today.

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winston
Posted by: roli on Mar 10, 2009 6:23 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Neil Bush, GW Bush brother had connection with the Twin Towers.

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» RE: winston...CSI Posted by: Captainmagic
» RE: winston Posted by: willymack
» RE: winston Posted by: 2thepoint
» RE: winston Posted by: rotorooter
» RE: winston Posted by: 2thepoint

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Ex military
Posted by: jleman on Mar 10, 2009 6:27 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Being in the military during the last part of the sixties, I was stationed in northern Japan. The "reason" for the base was the security listening post which could pick up transmissions from around the world. In my specialty, to the rest of the world, people like me were only "based" in the continental US because outside the US we would be considered not defensive but aggressive. Military double speak. Covered in layers of secretiveness.
The point is, we had this great golf course. Many of the bases did. For the regular Japanese to pay for green fees to play golf, it is cheaper for them to fly to Hawaii or the States to play - unless they were "in" with the US military.
During my time at this base, I learned that sometimes the person running the show was the head enlisted man, and having shown many visiting brass, including congress people, a "good time", including photos for later "leverage", nothing was beyond doing if it would bring more power.
Main defense manufacturers weren't beyond graft and corruption. And, they were never charged nor were facts ever shown the light of day even though reported up through the chain of command. They put our military personnel at risk, and our country at peril, for their greed. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, was a limit on what they were capable of. And, it is all about the money and power.
Shut the bases down, and at any cost. The reason I say this, is that I know that even though they'll find some way to screw us, at least we won't be on the hook for that military base any longer. Starve the beast.

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winston
Posted by: roli on Mar 10, 2009 6:28 AM   
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We spend more money on the military budget than all country's put together and that does not count for the wars we are fighting. It is time to rethink our goals or we will end up like ancient history.

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"Call US if you need US" ...We're Out of Here
Posted by: Purple Girl on Mar 10, 2009 6:48 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Since these are 'Soveriegn' Nations they should be able to handle their own defense. If shit gets hairy- they have our number. Otherwise these countries ahd better start kicking down big bucks for US to be their hired Military/police force or 'scary' Big Brothers.
WE have the ability to see what is going on and address it through technological advances.The only real problem is what do we do with all the people returning to find other jobs in this economy? Perhaps some would like to stay and assimilate into these host countries instead. The Alps you say?

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» Re: How would you like... Posted by: fearn

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That's what we get when we the people keep allowing this machoegotistical shit to pervade us !
Posted by: Jennifer Bedingfield on Mar 10, 2009 7:19 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Frankly, I'm all for shutting off those bases and letting those nations fend for themselves. Besides, they're in much better shape than the debtor nation we are. And whichever nations squeal at us for pulling out, I say sorry but you're better off without us. And to the troops and their folks who are against removing those uncalled-for bases, quit supporting imperialism damn it !

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The fall of the Roman Empire
Posted by: phist on Mar 10, 2009 7:49 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Roman Empire fell because its military was fighting for money rather than land. I agree that the American Empire needs to end before it falls but it's not really looking like that is going to happen soon enough. When suddenly the U.S. dollar converts like shit to other currencies is the day the American empire will fall.

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The answer to your question:
Posted by: sawdust on Mar 10, 2009 7:53 AM   
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NO.

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1000 miltary bases
Posted by: raine1 on Mar 10, 2009 7:53 AM   
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"A thousand points of light"...remember Pappy Bush's speech???

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This country is missing the boat if -----
Posted by: symcokid on Mar 10, 2009 8:09 AM   
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it believes a million soldiers stationed in over one hundred and thirty foreign countries and maintaining a thousand military bases worldwide is going to be enough to keep us safe from the one enemy that should be the most apparent and uppermost in our minds. Of course all of this expenditure has us nearly bankrupt and leaves us defenseless to develop new technology to thwart off another enemy that we have and who want to take us over - namely, the Space Aliens.

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No. We don't need them.
Posted by: gar1948 on Mar 10, 2009 8:41 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
One of the things that broke Rome was maintaining so many far-flung outposts. And one has to ask, what exactly is it we are defending against in Germany that requires 268 separate bases?

It is no wonder we spend twice as much on "defense" as the rest of the whole world combined. Why should the other countries waste their money on defense when we are taking care of it for them - and contributing nicely to their local economies at the same time.

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Who is the "We" that Needs a Large Standing Army?
Posted by: PaulK on Mar 10, 2009 9:10 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Monaco might need at least 7 aircraft carriers to feel militarily safe from its much larger neighbors, but the country doesn't have enough population to even man 7 aircraft carriers, much less build them. So, Monaco relies on diplomacy. Per capita, their citizens are far richer than Americans.

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Time to starve the beast........
Posted by: Spiritgirl on Mar 10, 2009 9:12 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In defense of "homeland" security, I believe that now is the time to starve the beast called the Military-Industrial-Complex! Are we safer as a people, because we are propping up dictators in other countries, NO! Are we safer as a nation when our troops in other countries behave in a reckless manner toward the host country, NO! Are we even prepared as a nation, to understand that at this point in time we have enough firepower to destroy the planet and it's inhabitants, NO!

"They" in the "Defense Industry" will say that jobs are created and on the line. I will say that it is high time that we stop with the warfare mongering. As FDR said "the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself..." Well really, I believe that what we have to fear are those that continue to pursue war as the first option! Those that would shun diplomacy as some girlie-man option that we cannot afford to have! Those that believe this, are those bullies that know that this government, our government along with corporate allies - that have done enough wrong (propped up bullying dictators for example) in other countries to fear the wrath of those that have been wronged! Frankly, sounds like a guilty conscious to me!!

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wHAT DO YOU GET WITH 1000 BASE CLOSINGS????
Posted by: MAD JEF on Mar 10, 2009 9:21 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Paid healthcare for all, a better chance at a balanced budget and most importantly;
LESS FEAR IN THE WORLD OF BEING ATTACKED BY THE U.S.A.

Right now most of the World lives in fear of what we're going to do as a Country. Standing Armies of more than a million, bases all over the World and contracts with several others only promote the idea that the USA is trying to become a World Empire.

Just like we did with the Native Americans.
'Profit and Plunder' has always been our motto. Nothing's changed.

If Obama was a leader, a TRUE LEADER, he'd have ordered Bush and Co. arrested three seconds after taking the oath of Office. He would have signed Executive Orders halting all our little insurgencies we have been funding, shut down the 'Black Ops' division of the military and created a pact of Non-Aggression with all Nations in the World.

Instead he's supported the greedy,shit on the needy and surrounded himself with the seedy. SO far, he's the same old politician bonehead as the dickhole he replaced.

The People need a LEADER not a Corpie asskisser. Sorry Big O, the things you could have done to cement yourself as a man of the people you failed to do. You helped the Corpie assholes first and not the people.

You still have time to change the tune being played in DC,but do you have the courage to stand against the system? You have the power but will you use it for the People or the Corporations? SO far, you've shown us the same face we've seen for decades ' Change to be Decieved With'

Stand up for the People not AIG!!! AIG won't revolt if they fold up,but the people will if they like it's the same shit diffrent day.

Listen to the people not your 'advisers' for they seek to 'slay Ceaser not glorify him' and we are much better back-up than any military,police force or national Guard. We just need to know you're one of us and put us first over the corpies.
Are you with us Big O????

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a question:
Posted by: hurricane hugo on Mar 10, 2009 9:38 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What percentage of our defense actually goes to defending our homeland? I've never seen a number higher than 20%, and I've seen as low as 6%.

#@!

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» oops! Posted by: hurricane hugo
» Yeah, but... Posted by: hurricane hugo
» RE: Excellent rhetorical question! Posted by: MeyravLevine
» it's not a rhetorical question Posted by: hurricane hugo

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Well, we tried
Posted by: willymack on Mar 10, 2009 9:37 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Belligerence, bellicosity, and bullying, and none of that worked worth a damn, did it? Maybe it's time to try kindness, diplomacy and non-interference. What have we got to lose except unaffordable costs and the ill will of the rest of the world?

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Re: These bases are not about security or...
Posted by: fearn on Mar 10, 2009 9:41 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
defense they are about expanding the military industrial complex and ensuring that America gets far more than its share.
How it done, Google, 'Amoral America', free download.

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Overseas bases?
Posted by: Archie1954 on Mar 10, 2009 10:11 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Billions upon billions of dollars spent on military bases overseas, billions of dollars spent on intelligence services everywhere, hundreds of thousands of military people, thousands of aircraft, ships, tanks and other technologically advanced military equipment and what happens? 17 fanatic, little nobodies from Saudi Arabia commit the most horrendous terrorist attack on the US mainland. Does this not suggest something to you? Think about it.

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» RE: Overseas bases? Posted by: richholland

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The Pelosi factor
Posted by: 2thepoint on Mar 10, 2009 11:27 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Overseas bases just fuel an economy of a country that resents us there to begin with. Let Korea protest us all they want..We pull out and see how fast they cry for help!

To make matter worse a very damaging report just came out on Pelosi regarding her abuse of airforce jets to be at her disposal. The airforce finally said enough is enough, that she was being abusive in her demand for aircraft on standby for her and her family. They were told in short that there would be a lot of disappointed people and a very angry Speaker.

Pull out from our overseas committments and dump Pelosi and we could save trillions!

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» RE: The Pelosi factor Posted by: Quannah
» RE: The Pelosi factor Posted by: 2thepoint
» RE: The Pelosi factor Posted by: debocracy
» RE: The Pelosi factor Posted by: 2thepoint

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EXCELLENT IDEA!!!
Posted by: HeatherC on Mar 10, 2009 11:30 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We should've closed those bases shortly after the U.S.S.R. collapsed. Cold War relics, all of them! This is precisely what Obama should have done first. Of course, in order to accomplish this, we'll need to do two things:

1. A federal tax revolt. Pay your federal taxes to your home state. We can keep our own wheels turning at home while the idiots in Washington wise up and realize what they've been doing wrong. Face it, it's the money. We pay our taxes and they spend however they want. Cut off the money and they get the message.

2. Impose a ten-year moratorium on immigration. When they close the bases, about 2 million military personnel will be coming home and they will need jobs. Immigration will only increase competition in the civilian job market. Our population went from 250 million in 1990 to 300 million in 2005. That's 50 million in just 15 years!

It will take some tough decisions on our part, but this way it should be easy. Let the morons in Washington feel the pain for once.

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» Take a deep breath. . . Posted by: Will Miller
» Heather . . . you're too liberal Posted by: Will Miller

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The Costs of Empire: Can We Really Afford 1,000 Overseas Bases?
Posted by: Quannah on Mar 10, 2009 11:35 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Answer: NO

Close them all. Close them now.

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Sorry, this comment has been removed from the system.

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Joe Gustis
Posted by: Joey G on Mar 10, 2009 11:37 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Good high-level article. Still, I'd love to see an in-depth piece on HOW we could ever begin to draw in our forces and close many of our overseas bases (i.e. "colonies")...a process we should've started immediately following the end of the cold war.

Ignoring America’s addiction to its hegemony, its desire for “forced projection” and the protection of vital energy resources, the most prominent obstacle I can think of is the now infamous military-industrial complex. In light of the current global economic crisis, how can the US even consider cutting spending in this area?

I ask because, in the Pentagon's budget, funds for military hardware are spread throughout as many states as possible. This strategy ensures that any member of congress who might consider voting against military spending would risk (or at least be accused of) putting a portion of his constituents out of work. That’s the last thing any of the perpetually campaigning congressmen would ever consider. In this current state of military Keynesianism that started during WWII, I don’t think it’s any secret that the billions and billions of dollars spent every year on military hardware is what is keeping our economy from totally collapsing at the moment.

In light of such circumstances, how can the Obama administration start closing any of our bases?

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Protect our overseas bases
Posted by: Will Miller on Mar 10, 2009 11:38 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Our overseas bases are critical to the protection of the United States Mainland . . . I am acutely aware of that need. I live in that far off never-land of OREGON, the state on the Pacific Coast that boasts a total of NADA military bases. If it weren't for them overseas bases [for Congressional Junkets] the Ruskies or other narfarious madcaps would sail into Coos Bay and set up shop, unopposed. Beach head established they'd have access to our cranberry bogs to the south and crabpots.

Our mercinary forces must have these overseas bases . . . ignore the call for closing these bases and further weakening our civil soldier military. [Ooooh, Tricky Dickie got rid of that group and Ronnie Baby built up on the mercenary military, my mistake, no civilian military here, all hail the Fourth Reich Wing.]

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Chalmers Johnson discussion ON THIS VERY ISSUE
Posted by: BlueBerry PickN on Mar 10, 2009 11:41 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Chalmers Johnsonon the military-industrial complex on The Real News:

Obama, McCain and the Empire
Chalmers Johnson: No president has stood up to the military-industrial complex October 7, 2008

The encirclement of Russia
Chalmers Johnson: "We have to back down unless we are looking for real confrontation with Russia" Pt 3 October 6, 2008

Last days of the American Republic?
Chalmers Johnson: USA must cut back on military spending and build green infrastructure or face ruin Pt2 October 5, 2008

Massive US military budget passed
Chalmers Johnson: US wrong to believe it can maintain both a military and civilian economy October 4, 2008


Mother Jones: Mission Creep - The map animation that opens this package uses Pentagon worldwide troop data from every half-decade since 1950, plus 2007, the latest year for which the data is available. These numbers are often fuzzy: Some deployments are classified, others are temporary, and just because the Defense Department claims 30 US troops in Indonesia last year doesn't mean 1,500 didn't pass through on training missions. Even so, the map, and the associated research, should give you a good feel for what the Pentagon is up to around the World.

Do you actually believe that THE OTHER BILLIONS OF GLOBAL CITIZENS LIKE BEING TREATED LIKE AMERICAN CHATTEL? ...do you really think we should blather our *thanks* for being Balkanized & WHINSEC'd into compliance to American corporations?

gee... thanks... if we thank you enough, will you stop paying your thugs to kick us to death?





perspective, people.


Perspective.

The Jeff Farias Show: Live, Mon-Fri, 6-9pmEST
podcast

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balance the budget some day
Posted by: edgar1 on Mar 10, 2009 12:12 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Shrinking the Pentagon down to a continental army and the navy to a coastal and caribbean/arctic force can balance the budget someday. And all the ancillaries to the military should go: homeland security, cia, dia, nsa, director of intelligence.

caution: many people will be out of work if military cut. military has been our "new deal" for decades; 9/11 and iraq saved w. bush from economic collapse for three years. these folks have skills but immediate alternate employment not feasible.nevertheless, if we dont slash federal spending way down, our dollar is dirt and the nation ends. (OK, that might be good. discuss that on another day).

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» To the contrary . . . Posted by: Will Miller
» RE: To the contrary . . . Posted by: HeatherC
» RE: rebuttal Posted by: Will Miller

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popham.smith@gmail.com
Posted by: popham on Mar 10, 2009 7:18 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Well--at long last, we are openly discussing
American military bases around the globe.
For nine months, during my campaign as a third
party candidate for President of the U.S.,
I frequently debated and focused on this issue,
but no one was listening. These multiple bases
only serve to damage our image, create tension,
demoralize and anger decent Americans who
apparently are waking up to the gravity of this
issue. To close down even half of those bases,
would reduce political/military stress, bring
troops home and allow others to be re-deployed
to Iraq and Afghanistan, where they are needed.
The actual number of foreign bases at last
count was 823, not including the Middle East
hot spots. Indeed, it is overkill for the U.S.
to be maintaining these bases at such an
exhorbitant cost (billions). We like the idea
of pulling out of some of these countries and
just leave them our phone number in case they
have a problem.

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SHUT DOWN ALL FOREIGN MILITARY BASES!!!!
Posted by: HeatherC on Mar 10, 2009 9:01 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In the current economic crisis, we Americans are finally coming to the realization that we can't be all things to all people. We should have learned this lesson long ago, and now it's time for the rest of the world to realize it too. They send their kids to our colleges and universities to learn how to solve problems in their own countries. Why don't they use that brain power instead of waiting for us to fix everything for them?

We the American people have been setting examples for the world long enough. Now we're hurting. And when our economy fails, the rest of the world's economies fail too. And yet they still scream at us for not doing enough.

Well, they do have a point. We should shake down every politician in Washington. Democrats, Republicans, everyone. No exceptions. We fight to defend the USA, not wars for profit. If we value democracy above all else, then let's use the rights we have to change things. We don't owe the world our toil and sweat or our tax dollars, only our fair share. And when we have a crisis here at home, that crisis becomes our utmost priority. No one else will fix it for us.

We don't need military bases on foreign soil. The world does not need our presence to maintain order. No foreign enemy ever attacked the US without regretting it later on. Our enemies in World War II learned a hard lesson when they attacked us at Pearl Harbor: never disrespect the isolationist policy of a country that can make you regret it.

We're already number one. We have nothing more to prove.

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Ron Paul's been saying this for how many years?!
Posted by: stop_censorship_on_Alternet on Mar 11, 2009 10:25 AM   
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Tell us something new. Even with Obama (or any other corporate-shill politician, Dem or Repub), this ain't gonna change.

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Insane level of US "defense" spending needs to stop
Posted by: Garvagh on Mar 11, 2009 5:03 PM   
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Bravo! Back in the mid-1940s, the US had as much economic power as the rest of the world combined. Those days are long gone, but here we are with the US spending almost as much as the rest of the world combined, on munitions and weapons systems! Truly insane.

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