The Mess

[Smitty-48]

The Basic problem is that I don't see how you stop the divisive political system to continue alienating Americans. It just keeps going. In the long run that seems bad. There actually aren't so many things that would unify Americans.

I haven't asserted what the problem might be, but, according to the President elect, America has been run by complete idiots for the last two and a half decades who have sold Americans out to the Foreign Devils, started stupid wars without reason, and driven the economy into the ground, so, that doesn't sound like a recipe for success to me.

Again, MAGA notwithstanding, how do we know this tendency of Americans to elect complete idiots who sell them out, use them as cannon fodder, and drive their economy into the ground, is not going to persist and eventually cause America to unseat itself? Doesn't seem to be against the laws of physics.

[ssu]

I haven't asserted what the problem might be, but, according the President elect, America has been run by complete idiots for the last two and half decades who have sold Americans out to the Foreign Devils and driven the economy into the ground, so, that doesn't sound like a recipe for success to me.

Bringing in more of the exact same kind of rich people and listening to bankers won't help either. Or going on a Victory Tour to glee about how Hillary was won. Far better would be to use the time to prepare for the job. But naturally a person like Trump loves the positive attention.

Perhaps there won't be such enthusiastic crowds later, so better he use the chance now...

“How many times did we hear this: ‘There is no path to 270,’” Trump said, adopting a stentorian baritone. As the crowd serenaded him with cheers, he strutted away from the microphone to revel in the moment before stepping back to the podium with a smile and two outstretched thumbs.

“I love this stuff,” Trump said, playing to the crowd. “Should I go on with this a little bit longer?”

[Hwen Hoshino]

My original point was that the US has the unique ability to get soft power trough its culture and government structure inherited from the Founders while others cannot.

I don't find that to be supported by any facts, that's just mythology.

US gun ownership is a fact, US box office domination is a fact.

Show me the spread of Confucian values since China is more powerful in Europe, in Africa etc...

[Montegriffo]

The British were the global Hegemon from 1763-1916

Apologies for being a distraction in advance, but I'm curious as to why you pick 1763 as the starting point? I might have suggested 1600 with the formation of the British East India Company.
Is 1763 a reference to the start of the industrial revolution?

[Ex-California]

The British were the global Hegemon from 1763-1916

Apologies for being a distraction in advance, but I'm curious as to why you pick 1763 as the starting point? I might have suggested 1600 with the formation of the British East India Company.
Is 1763 a reference to the start of the industrial revolution?

The start of the Seven Years War (French and Indian War in American parlance)

[Montegriffo]

The British were the global Hegemon from 1763-1916

Apologies for being a distraction in advance, but I'm curious as to why you pick 1763 as the starting point? I might have suggested 1600 with the formation of the British East India Company.
Is 1763 a reference to the start of the industrial revolution?

The start of the Seven Years War (French and Indian War in American parlance)

Suggesting we hadn't overtaken the French until that point? Not sure I would agree, in terms of economic ascendency. Wasn't India the Jewel in the Crown even before we kicked the French out and exploited it's wealth for ourselves?

[TheReal_ND]

Satan?

Correct.

[Montegriffo]

Satan?

Correct.

I'd have to disagree if I had the energy. But as I was up till the early hours again I'll let it pass for now.

[Ex-California]

Satan?

Correct.

[ssu]

Here's a gem for the Mess, to those that are interested in the military.

General Mattis speaking of Irregular and Hybrid Warfare in 1st of June 2009. Now the timing is important, as this was far earlier than the Ukrainian war happened and hence hybrid warfare wasn't a word commonly used. There is only the Russo-Georgian war and the Lebanon war of Israel to look at then. Hence Mattis isn't speaking here with hindsight, he is actually forecasting the future, and with hybrid warfare here he isn't just referring to the jihadists. Also what is clear that Mattis has ideas and views that are persistent, similar things he repeats in later speeches even from this year and hence will likely go with when he assumes the position of secretary of defence. (It would be a tragedy, if he wouldn't be the secretary of defence). I urge those interested in military matters to listen to this seven year old lecture.

Mattis from 2009:


And as it is a hour long clip and many don't have the time (and interest) to listen to it, here are some points that I picked up from Mattis.

- The enemy will naturally engage on fronts that the US and it's allies are weak, not were the US dominates.
- The US has to create irregular warfare capabilities without endangering conventional superiority.

Mattis is a sceptic when it comes to technology. Technology itself doesn't win wars (and hence Mattis is totally against the ideas that for example Rumsfeldt ran on), yet naturally the US needs the best technology there is, so he is no Luddite.

- We have to moderate our natural American pension, diminish perhaps our idea that technology will solve this human problem called war. Not going to happen, never happened in the history of war.
- The idea of US technological superiority is probably overrated.
-the land forces have to use simulators as the air force has used for decades. The simulators are used to present hundreds of tactical and ethical dilemmas before they troops go into their first fight. There is a moral and mission reason to do this.
- hybrid threats are going to characterize the future. Irregular warfare may be the primary focus of future ground forces.
-"I believe in NATO, lock stock and barrell, we need it."