Show of hands, who thinks Canada needs a bigger and better military. Americans can't vote, your military has already screwed the world over enough times, including Canada ( cough, cough Avro Arrow) So, besides those greedy bas***ds, who thinks Canada needs a bigger military.
Military didn't didn't screw any thing over, the people who control it did.
You really wanna go this way? Also, Canada has a military? Huh...(Yes I know Canada supplied more troops per population than blah blah in WW1, etc, but he did start this fight...so..onward!)
Americas army has screwed the world over enough times? Yeah, sorry for stopping the USSR from conquering the world (In all seriousness...Europe taken by soviet tanks = the world back in the 1950s, etc). Our bad. I can't say our politicans haven't done some STUPID shit with our military, but in all seriousness again OP, f@ck you.
EDIT- Sorry, but stuff like this just pisses me off, especially after the good times I had 'discussing' such things when I lived in Canada (Queen's University in Kingston) for a few years.
Hey, we Americans wouldn't have to go in if the Canadians and Europeans would do more than complain about the United States and do more militaristically. Though this is more of a counter-insult joke rather than being serious.
But seriously, go ahead and insult our politicians, our government, and our obesity rates. But DON'T insult our military. The men and women of the United States' military ARE the finest people of our society, and those who care about this country (The United States, mind you), to deal with all the bull of our politicians to defend OUR people.
EDIT: And really, I find it absolutely hilarious how idiotically the United Nations are when it comes to this. "Oh no, a country is murdering thousands of civilians!" "I know what to do; let's apply SANCTIONS on them! That'll certainly work!" "And when it doesn't work, we'll just send the USA's forces on them! Then, we can insult the USA for doing what we said!" "Genius!"
I don't think America's military has screwed over the world. More often than not, America has gotten screwed over in its attempt to protect others from tyranny. How many countries have made allies of former enemies? Yet America has made allies of former WWII enemies. How many countries have invested in the rebuilding of enemy territory? America has.
America is not always in the right. Nobody is. In general, however, I would argue that America has tried to do what it thinks is right. And even if the politicans have not always been honorable, the military has usually been honorable.
The world would be so much more different if we had said, "Screw you guys, we're going home!" You could be speaking German, Russian, or any number of languages right now. Oh! Or you could be in jail cuz you spoke your mind!
Having a strong Military force for defensive capabilities is entirely wise in today's political climate, and the largest nations in the world all have well funded and regulated Militaries. Keep in mind that those same countries often neglect public, tax funded Health Care, Infrastructure and Schools to keep a well regulated army on 'Standby'. It's not a cheap endeavour, and will eat up the majority of funds a nation has at it's disposal. You'll also need to take into account that an Army with no war to fight is self-defeating and a massive burden on the nation - a War generates debt which in term keeps the financial wheels rolling and actually generates vast sums of money for the companies who provide either side of the conflict with the tools they need to fight, which is then injected back into the economy through the natural flow of the market. However, once you have a well standing Army, the pressure to use it will be immense both internationally and nationally - from political supporters who provide large amounts of money to campaigns and who provide thousands of jobs - so ask yourselves are you ready to get into that kind of situation?
Is anyone here in the canadian or US army?
I just got out the U.S. Army, not trying to toot my own horn but Ive served not only in Iraq but Asia as well. And Let me tell you something as a Grunt I did more humanitarion oriented missions then actual Combat related ones. the U.S. Military is not at all out to screw anyone over. If anything its a Red Cross with Guns. We have every right to defend ourselves. Its kindof messed up we have to carry loaded assault rifles and machine guns into a crowded school of iraqis but believe me the people were meaning to use those weapons on wont hesitate to blow up that entire school of children.
The U.S. Military has had its ups and downs. But its always had Honor and Duty at its core. And to be honest Its people like you that make me sick. Millions of American men and women have laid down their lives not just in the name of the U.S.A. but the Freedom of Europe, North Africa, The Pacific nations of Asia. And the nations of Iraq and Afganistan. You can talk all the S@#& about our politicians. Ill sit there and agree with you on that. But who are you to even stick your nose in the air at one of the Bravest Militaries this World has ever known. A Military that not only looks out for its own but has the heart to fight and die for those who dont have a voice in this world.
The above post is why I would never consider joining the military, despite being a wingnut with little self regard and no qualms about killing people that need killed. I'm not about to die for someone elses country, especially since someone else would just give me shit for it in the end. I'd need to be a much better man to do that.
To everyone who has a negative impression of the America's military read on:
In England, at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop ofCanterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of "empire building" by the United States.
He answered by saying, "Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return."
And also:
There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break, one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt the United States has has done?? They have sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What do they intend to do, bomb them?'
A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: "Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?"
I can only agree that one should seperate the military and the politicians that decide where they go. The folks in the military just do what they are told. If anyone is fucking shit up around the world its the incompent politicians.
I think that what most people mean when they say that the US is fucking up the world is the fact that often it have been shown that the US act pretty crazy.You supported the taliban when it was fighting russia in the 80's. Then then 9/11 happened.You supported saddam hussain when he was fighting iran in the 80's. Then you invaded him in 91.You lie about WMD, links to 9/11 etc. and invade him again in 03.
You have often supported dicators around the world yet you preach democracy etc.
Basicly i just think the USA have a rather corrupt political system. People in the US military pay the price sadly thinking they are fighting to defend the USA.
But anyway about the OP question. Canada? Military? What military. Other then policement on horses i dont know.
I think our military can use some upgrading, absolutely. Does it need to be bigger? I don't really think so, but better outfitted and more funding? Hell, yes.
And for those of you that want to bash the American military: as noted, it's the politicians deciding where they go and what they do. The people serving in the armed forces are some of the finest people you can ask for. The same applies for our Canadian forces as well. So let's stop talking smack about each other and realize we're all on the same side here and striving to do our best in this screwed up world.
Individual US states aren't allowed to form a military.
Wait... Canada isn't a state yet? Sorry.
*DUCKS*
Posts like this are pointless and inflammatory. When you're done being childish, feel free to make a real thread.
What for? And what do you want to give up for that?
You only have so many funds, so you might need to increase tax, or turn down costs for other things. So what are you willing to sacrifice?
Okay, i am deeply sorry that people thought i was insulting the USA's militray. I AM NOT. They are great people who are just trying to help. What i meant was that the politicans have screwed most of the world over, not the people who actually work for a living helping thousands of people each day. I am deeply sorry. Can we just forget that i accidently insulted the military. Please
Anyone noticed that the only sizeable country with no military (Costa Rica) recently came top of the Happy Planet scale?
Yes, we need more men, vehicles, ships and planes-
We need the Airborne Regiment back (don't talk about that Incident too- they were on experimental drugs, disipline was lax, and well, that damn kid went where he wasn't supposed to go...not to mention on the eve of the airborne break away, they were the top airborne troops in NATO, but yeah, that's the Liberals for 'ya)
We need less Generals too; it seems we got 1 General for every 15-20 Soldiers.
We also need to educate Canadians on the Army's accomplishments; it seems everyone and thier mother only see Canadians in uniform from 1953- present, completely ignoring or forgetting That we ruled the battlefeidl from 1899-1953. (Yes i know I we did not rule ALL armies; but we did saved the empire 3 times in less than 50 years..hehehe Plus, all those "Royal" Regiments (22ieme-Vindoos-RCR, RWR, RSR, and so on, didn't gained thier Battle honours by being all nice and friendly and running away.))
Canada does need a bigger and better military. The horses are getting tired of swimming across the ocean and Peta is threatening to invade.
Great example of ignorance in the original post, though.
The reason Costa Rica has no military is because they have South America, Central America, and North America (including Canada) as Allies. Anyone to touch Costa Rica instead of having to raise its own army would have the Army of Well over 30 countries to defend it.
I think that is very bad form, as a country, you should carry your own weight, not pass it off to somone else!!
No big. I guess I, for one, took one little statement and blew it out of perportion. I realize, upon re-reading your post that that was not your main point.
For what it's worth, I think Canada would do well to have a bigger military. It would only help us if North America was attacked.
So what percentage of the population should the military be to be consider to be "good" enough? 10%? 30%?
BTW, I am a Canadian.
This is my third OT post, sorry to the OP. I agree Costa Rica should carry their own wieght. But the reasoning for everyone coming to their defense wouldnt be to save the Costa Ricans (although that would be sold to the public and the Military as a good enough reason to defend them and at the end of it be a result of our intervention) Itll be because The U.S. doesnt want even more unstabibility in the region. Everything south of Canada is already a mess on so many different levels.
No disrespect in the slightest and I spent enough of my own time in the Middle East. But history goes back quite a ways and I'm not sure you want to include all the 19th century as "Honor and Duty' as the Civil War, Buffalo Soldiers, and Indian Wars were examples of quite the opposite. It is no more a reflection on the modern military than WW2 Japan as a reflection of today's modern Japanese military (which mainly only gives logistical and humanitarian support in any conflict)
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