DeM Banter: it is indeed time to have these conversations...it's about choices, it's about expectations, it's about finances....and a changing world...and possibly the decline of empire? It's time to think... ForeignPolicy.com July 19, 2013 Why the United States needs to get out of the 'indispensable nation' business Senator McCain is pushing Gen. Dempsey to get …
US Senators Warn Of Sequester’s Effects, But Offer No Alternatives By John T. Bennett
DeM Banter: Well... admitting we have a problem is the first step in solving it...no? Or... are we just sitting around admiring the problem? Looking toward the future...prediction....it will get much worse before it gets any better. DefenseNews.com July 18, 2013 Nelson: 'Shooting Ourselves Up The Torso' WASHINGTON — Senators on Thursday warned the United …
The Next QDR Is The Last Chance For Sanity By Shawn Brimley
DeM Banter: There are so many DEEP question that MUST be answered before this QDR even begins...that we all know will remained unanswered. We need strategy....leadership....innovation...collaboration--and I'm still wondering where the lions are.... No doubt it is hard, difficult, time consuming, etc...but this is America...we are so much better than this.... DefenseOne.com July 15, 2013 …
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Idled Air Force Squadrons Resume Flights By Julian E. Barnes and Damian Paletta
DeM Banter: So.. if the sequester continues into FY14 (indications are that it will)... we will have to ground these units again as of 30 Sept? Brilliant... Wall Street Journal (wsj.com) July 15, 2013 Training Flights Are Back for Crews Idled Since April Due to Sequester WASHINGTON—The Air Force said Monday that it resumed training …
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Time To Share Sacrifice: Army Times
DeM Banter: Interesting... no author listed... I would like to know who penned this and what his/her experience is/was. July 22, 2013 Pg. 36 The Pentagon's top civilian and top military leader recently sounded warnings that the nation risks a steep decline in military readiness if spending priorities are not rapidly reset for a postwar …
How We Lost The Seas: By ADM Gary Roughead
DeM Banter: Great thoughts, on what is undoubtedly a great book...from a Hoover Fellow. We simply don't hear anything strategic being discussed in DC, why? The strategic takes time, deep thinking, and prioritization of all of the above...to include funds. What does America want to be? We need to have that discussion....don't you think? There …
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Afghanistan And The ‘Zero Option’ : Chicago Tribune
DeM Banter: Agree...and here's to hoping it was merely a threat...and we won't have to revisit in 5 years. Chicago Tribune July 13, 2013 Pg. 12 Why the U.S. should keep a hand in there President Hamid Karzai’s erratic behavior has President Barack Obama considering a complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan after 2014. …
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Freeze Possible On All Promotions, Recruiting By Tom Philpott
DeM Banter: the question is...what do we expect of our military? What quality of military does America need? And fund it... Hanford (CA) Sentinel July 13, 2013 Military Update Failure by Congress to end budget sequestration could force the services in fiscal 2014 to freeze military promotions, suspend recruiting and halt all change-of-station moves, Defense …
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Modest Debut Of Atlas May Foreshadow Age Of ‘Robo Sapiens’ By John Markoff
DeM Banter: ...and they don't need medical care, pilot bonuses, or a housing allowance...interesting times... New York Times July 12, 2013 Pg. 11 WALTHAM, Mass. — Moving its hands as if it were dealing cards and walking with a bit of a swagger, a Pentagon-financed humanoid robot named Atlas made its first public appearance on …
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Don’t Give Up On Afghanistan By Michael O’Hanlon
DeM Banter: Assuming we had a National Security Strategy... we might be able to see past the next six months and ponder the real question...."and then...." Assuming we leave tomorrow... And we go to a "zero option." This might bode well for mid-term elections (might...) And then...??? Washington Post July 12, 2013 Pg. 13 The …
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