>I wonder how all those countries who rely on the military strength of the U.S. for protection would feel? I wonder what the odds are that without a strong military the U.S. would not be attacked? With current sentiment against the U.S., not likely... I am a strong believer in being prepared for the worst and hoping for the best.
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Tracy,

you probably know that I don't see myself as a idealist praying for "swords to plows". But the current lopsideness of "military conflict" between the US and other countries, where after the breakup of the breakup of the eastern block untrimmed budget went into protecting US television viewers from seeing war casualties on TV (I *do* believe the troop commanders ask for better equipment to protect their troops, but the *decision* is made on more cynical reasons) shapes the dangers you currently encounter.

While I certainly don't agree with terrorist tactics the surge encountered there was expected as targeting (US and other) non-combatants can be rationalized much easier when the percentage of opposing civilian deaths is rising and/or the ratio of US troops killed vs. "the others" moves into areas of statistical insignificance.

Part of this is hindsight for sure - but not everything, IIRC.

regards

thomas