[Slonopotam845]

If our economy can't keep up with the demands of our empire building then whether or not a president wants to "gut" the military won't matter much.

There's no "empire building." This enormous burden has been put on us by the Muslim world and the terrorists they sent to destroy America on 9/11.

We cannot afford NOT to defend ourselves from the Muslim extremists who work day and night to murder us all.

[doctorzlo]

I see. So a multi-billion dollar missile defense shield assists against Muslim terrorism how? Put the focus on the terrorists in Afghanistan where they have been all along. There is no excuse for the borders of Afghanistan to be pourous or for any degree of Taliban resurgience. That should be our top priority.

The missiles defense is needed against the terror-sponsoring Islamic Republic of Iran, which has long-range missiles and will soon have nuclear warheads. That's an alternative to an all-out war with Iran.

Is the missile defense an issue for you? How exactly does a missile defense system constitute "empire building?"

BTW, I think it bears mentioning that the Muslim world did not send the attackers of 9/11. The Muslim world with very few and notable exceptions mourned the loss of those innocent people as much as anyone else. Not true. The Palestinians, for example, danced in the streets and handed out candies to celebrate the death of thousands Americans. And, all around the Musim world, bin Ladin and Nasrallah are very popular role models.

The Muslim culture which glorifies hatred, Jihad, and terrorism is, indeed responsible for 9/11.

[Peptobismol]

For the record, 15% of non Iraq defense spending is ~$65 billion dollars. That is about $10 billion more than the next largest defense budget in the world.

[Beerinkol]

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArti...97645696465868

Obama's Plan To Disarm The U.S.
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Friday, June 06, 2008 4:20 PM PT

Defense Policy: In the middle of a war on two fronts, Barack Obama plans to gut the military. He also wants to dismantle our nuclear arsenal. And he wants to keep you in the dark about it.

Well, since the U.S. has no enemies and there have been no attacks on our soil, Obama's plan should work just fine. In fact, in light of Obama's deep understanding of defense issues, I wonder why Obama feels that we need an army at all. Maybe he'll dismantle it next as part of the change we can believe in.

[TorryJens]

For the record, 15% of non Iraq defense spending is ~$65 billion dollars. That is about $10 billion more than the next largest defense budget in the world.

A very large amount of the budget goes to develop incredibly expensive precision weapons designed to avoid civilian casualties. More so than any other army, apparently.

[Paul Bunyan]

Well is the current cost benefit justifiable. Yes or No?

Claims that BHO is a secret Muslim, Commie fifth columnist notwithstanding I really doubt he'll be dumb enough to lay down the Nukes whilst other countries retain their own arsenals.

Like the Ben & Jerry's crowd that supports him,
Now that's a funny put-down

[LottiFurmann]

Like the Ben & Jerry's crowd that supports him,
Now that's a funny put-down

Yeah, the Haagen Dazs crowd is expected to vote for McCain.

[radikal]

Who, Ice cream vendors?