2016 Postmortem

Ford_Prefect

(8,518 posts)

43. US military activity in Africa has been growing for some time yet is rarely discussed by MSM or

Thu Nov 12, 2015, 11:23 AM

Nov 2015

Congress. Many troops assigned to duties there are forbidden to speak of their location or activities. These are not the troops sent to help with ebola outbreaks nor those officially deployed to pursue Bokko Haram. Some units are special forces groups with very specific missions which Congress has no coherent awareness of. It reminds me very much of similar activity in Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam War.

Some commentary suggests that the goal of this policy is not preserving local regimes or peace but rather to "safeguard" American access to rare earth metals and other natural resources. Originally this policy was said to be a counter to Chinese and other nation's influences in the region. More recently the specter of Al Qaeda and lately ISIL have been alleged to require the network of hardened bases and permanent troop assignments. Armed drones have also been assigned to bases in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent.

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Why should we vote for anyone in the primaries if they refuse to shout about this great injustice? [View all] Fred Sanders Nov 2015 OP

Good point. Thinkingabout Nov 2015 #1

you are aware that Clinton's policies supports the MIC far more than Sanders' ? ish of the hammer Nov 2015 #48

are you aware that is bullshit? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #53

Libya, no-fly zone Syria, Victoria Nuland Ukraine, any number of MIC related companies donating to ish of the hammer Nov 2015 #60

oh really? Here is the BIG picture the ACTUAL public record ....not your cute little list... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #62

Your list of "accomplishments" pretty much proves the poster's claim. Comrade Grumpy Nov 2015 #78

those are the actual record that does NOT prove that... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #85

Thanks- like someone already said - proves my point. ish of the hammer Nov 2015 #84

It does not.... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #86

your "list" proves my point ish of the hammer Nov 2015 #89

bullshit....it does not... VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #90

"cherry-picked" ish of the hammer Nov 2015 #91

Wow. A new version of "The List"! I'm impressed. cherokeeprogressive Nov 2015 #94

correct, vanillarhapsody SCantiGOP Nov 2015 #72

I am aware of the votes Sanders has made for military contractors, he continues to vote for the F-35 Thinkingabout Nov 2015 #63

Point to any evidence that Sanders will significantly cut that military percentage? brooklynite Nov 2015 #87

Wont happen, defense contractors love Sanders, he keep giving them more contracts. Thinkingabout Nov 2015 #97

If we can't afford to educate our children, to heal our sick or care for our elderly ... Scuba Nov 2015 #2

It defends the assets of multinational corporations around the globe.. think Nov 2015 #3

Yep. It defends the interests of individual shareholders. raouldukelives Nov 2015 #105

I don't get it, why are the liberal candidates, top to bottom not talking about the military bloat? Fred Sanders Nov 2015 #5

Just 2 days ago: Senator Bernie Sanders Votes Against Increasing Defense Spending think Nov 2015 #13

Excellent! A good start on the talk.....now how about a 50% reduction, all going to domestic? Fred Sanders Nov 2015 #15

No argument here. Sanders would work hard to cut military spending. As to what percentage think Nov 2015 #23

Reducing the military will have to be a progression, an evolution and not a revolution. Fred Sanders Nov 2015 #29

In other words... Android3.14 Nov 2015 #79

I think it's because the military/security state is actually running the government. jalan48 Nov 2015 #18

nailed it. nt restorefreedom Nov 2015 #34

Ike's greatest worry as come true. (nt) paleotn Nov 2015 #49

And it is easy to hide fraud, waste, and price gouging in a system hidden behind a wall of national GoneFishin Nov 2015 #81

Exactly. tecelote Nov 2015 #101

Trick question? We're defending the rest of the world against itself! erronis Nov 2015 #21

+1 an entire shit load. Enthusiast Nov 2015 #55

Oh don't worry Hillary cares a LOT about our children, our sick, and our elderly... Still In Wisconsin Nov 2015 #75

Yet you support Clinton, Cassiopeia Nov 2015 #4

Sorry, this is 100% about The Pentagon and why no one is talking about The Pentagon, including Fred Sanders Nov 2015 #7

No, its about war, and the people that push it. bahrbearian Nov 2015 #11

who would that be? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #54

"We came , We saw, He died " Who said that. bahrbearian Nov 2015 #65

this proves your point how? VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #67

Yea right , Hillary always promoted peace through War bahrbearian Nov 2015 #68

Oh she has? Record says otherwise.. VanillaRhapsody Nov 2015 #69

Yeah one candidate is talking about the Pentagon, Fred... Bluenorthwest Nov 2015 #36

+1! Thanks. tecelote Nov 2015 #103

I glad you wrote this OP and am glad you're a Hillary supporter. tecelote Nov 2015 #104

China and Cuba send doctors, engineers and teachers everywhere instead of arms...and will win Fred Sanders Nov 2015 #111

Up is down, its crazy bahrbearian Nov 2015 #8

I agree with this, Fred... Bluenorthwest Nov 2015 #6

In terms of percentage of GDP, Russia still outspends us. But in terms of real dollars...wow. BlueCaliDem Nov 2015 #9

Sanders is clearly against more military spending, but is he for drastically reducing it? Fred Sanders Nov 2015 #12

Facts speak for themselves: "Defense Industry Embraces Hillary By Far Their Favorite Dem." 99th_Monkey Nov 2015 #20

Clinton is perhaps the lesser of three evils for MIC, but MIC must be getting nervous at all the Fred Sanders Nov 2015 #27

I don't think MIC will be nervous about Clintons leftist rhetoric until she returns their $$$$ 99th_Monkey Nov 2015 #30

quick quiz question which candidate recently said they WOULD bomb Iran if.......? azurnoir Nov 2015 #107

It only shows that they believe she'll win the presidency. BlueCaliDem Nov 2015 #58

Yes, that's exactly what MIC endor$ement$ and Ca$h are doing: betting on their darling to win 99th_Monkey Nov 2015 #61

EMPLOYEES are donating to her campaign. Not the Corporations themselves. BlueCaliDem Nov 2015 #71

I am very aware of CU's fig-leaf "arms length" bullshit legalese 99th_Monkey Nov 2015 #74

So what you're saying is, corporations are people? Hello, Mitt. BlueCaliDem Nov 2015 #80

I love how slinging CT accusations distracts from your whole-hearted embrace of Citizens United 99th_Monkey Nov 2015 #82

No, you're right...the Pentagon is not a sacred cow and Pentagon leadership have wanted to reduce. BlueCaliDem Nov 2015 #37

The same F-35 that Hillary promised to supply to Netanyahu when she was flexing muscle.. frylock Nov 2015 #50

Budget Amendment on Auditing the Pentagon Bluenorthwest Nov 2015 #38

I read SmittynMo Nov 2015 #41

Another "Commission" to "study" the problem? bvar22 Nov 2015 #92

USA #1 firebrand80 Nov 2015 #10

Here are US military bases near Iran - how much does that cost? Fred Sanders Nov 2015 #14

Clinton Foundation Donors Got Weapons Deals From Hillary Clinton's State Department Ichingcarpenter Nov 2015 #16

This is a human rights issue, not a political issue and it does not need to be politicized to be Fred Sanders Nov 2015 #19

This is politics and your candidate promotes it Ichingcarpenter Nov 2015 #24

But it IS political dorkzilla Nov 2015 #25

Bingo SmittynMo Nov 2015 #44

Very good damn question! Why would we? lonestarnot Nov 2015 #17

News Flash: "Senator Bernie Sanders Votes Against Increasing Defense Spending" 99th_Monkey Nov 2015 #22

And we wonder why are schools are crumbling, our infrastructure is obsolete, our water system is in in_cog_ni_to Nov 2015 #26

The WAR budget is where the fat cats make their money. valerief Nov 2015 #28

Sacred cows of the military and corporate fat cats. Now there is an image waiting for a metaphor! Fred Sanders Nov 2015 #32

Think what we could do with that money. n/t Comrade Grumpy Nov 2015 #31

Create a lot more jobs, for starters: Fred Sanders Nov 2015 #35

Thanks for bringing this up, Fred, with the Charts....Great Post! KoKo Nov 2015 #33

Well the IMC fed me and my neighbors, let my Dad buy a house, etc. Armstead Nov 2015 #39

Well, for one who says he is a political realist, isn't that a bit naive? malthaussen Nov 2015 #40

There were a couple articles discussing Bernie's calling out of the DoD.... n8dogg83 Nov 2015 #42

US military activity in Africa has been growing for some time yet is rarely discussed by MSM or Ford_Prefect Nov 2015 #43

This. Just part of why Qaddafi had to go. nt. polly7 Nov 2015 #59

That's why I support Bernie Sanders because he has been 'shouting' about it sabrina 1 Nov 2015 #45

Bernie does more than shout. He just voted against the "defense" spending bill. Tierra_y_Libertad Nov 2015 #46

He also proposed a war tax on the wealthiest too, hitting those that benefit from military spending cascadiance Nov 2015 #52

Shouting no.... daleanime Nov 2015 #47

Because presidential candidates who shout about the military lose? MohRokTah Nov 2015 #51

We are electing a government, Agnosticsherbet Nov 2015 #56

Good Post Fred. Thank you. And what ever happened to the peace dividend? LiberalArkie Nov 2015 #57

Tell a typical white American that most of the world is another color and they FREAK OUT.... Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2015 #64

About that "great injustice" ConservativeDemocrat Nov 2015 #66

Wow. Your DU name is very well chosen. (nt) stone space Nov 2015 #88

Seems a conservative like yourself wouldn't want U.S. taxpayers to pay for it dreamnightwind Nov 2015 #93

I'm a conservative Democrat, not a conservative Republican ConservativeDemocrat Nov 2015 #96

Your logic, and worldview, are terrible dreamnightwind Nov 2015 #98

My logic, and worldview, is the dominant Democratic position ConservativeDemocrat Nov 2015 #99

The more you talk the worse you seem dreamnightwind Nov 2015 #100

Yay, another echo-chamber extremist ConservativeDemocrat Nov 2015 #110

K & R AzDar Nov 2015 #70

Ummmm... Skidmore Nov 2015 #73

That's for sure! PatrickforO Nov 2015 #76

That is sickening amuse bouche Nov 2015 #77

comparison to GDP rankings is interesting, definitely some room to come down yodermon Nov 2015 #83

Excellent, and one of the main reasons I support Bernie dreamnightwind Nov 2015 #95

Thanks for making this an issue! tecelote Nov 2015 #102

As an Anabaptist (Mennonite) Pacifist Dem_in_Nebr. Nov 2015 #106

Too many voters are fine with this treestar Nov 2015 #108

Kick to remember this thread... The_Commonist Nov 2015 #109

Imperialism costs a lot of money. N/t coyote Nov 2015 #112