NationStates Jolt Archive

Which region or countries is a bigger threat to overall international peace and security; The Asian countries of nuclear armed N.Korea, China and militaristic Japan or middle eastern states/ Islamic groups like nuclear seeking(possibly) Iran, al-Qeada and Hamas?

You. :)

The USA is the threat.

Uh, the Mid East is in Asia. I think a more proper wording would be the Far East vs. the Mid East.

Terrorist groups operating within the Middle East are a threat, not the actual govenments themselves. I'm more concerned with how many Islamic countries treat their own citizens than their foreign policy.

militaristic Japan?

Wha?
You seriously included Japan?

Add neither is a threat. The real threat is what the US government and media say about those places, and what our military-industrial complex does to provoke them.

Wha?

You seriously included Japan?
Yeah, that's what I was thinking...

Wha?
You seriously included Japan?

Add neither is a threat. The real threat is what the US government and media say about those places, and what our military-industrial complex does to provoke them.

What military industrial complex? I suggest you go and look at some numbers for government spending before you make these sweeping statements.

What military industrial complex? I suggest you go and look at some numbers for government spending before you make these sweeping statements.

Thirty-one percent of the budget is for the military, including the War on Terror. Twenty percent of the budget is used to pay veterans benefits and the portion of the debt that is derived from the military (most of it).

The United States spends more money on its military than every other country in the world combined.

No military-industrial complex? Okay.

Wha?
You seriously included Japan?

Add neither is a threat. The real threat is what the US government and media say about those places, and what our military-industrial complex does to provoke them.

Japan continues to expand its military, especially the army with the backing of the US. That can be very dangerous.

The east has old civilization and a sensible approach to dealing with the world.

The ME has the oil, the insane religion, the sand nomad mindset and the lack of cultural experience.

The ME has the greater potential of causing trouble.

Japan continues to expand its military, especially the army with the backing of the US. That can be very dangerous.
Most of their population is opposed to any sort of aggressive war, though. Being nuked will do that to you.

Japan continues to expand its military, especially the army with the backing of the US. That can be very dangerous.
Actually, Japan's spending on the SDF was down this year and it doesn't look like they are planning any major troop increases any time soon. Currently they are working on updating equipment to maintain self defense capasity and argue about Article 9 and the notion of collective self defence.

Oh, and Japan hasn't had an army since 1945 so I'm not too sure what you think is increasing.

The USA is the threat.



:rolleyes:



The Middle East, China is not a threat to anyway one in terms of peace. When was the last time they supported a terror group in attacks against other nations?

Thirty-one percent of the budget is for the military, including the War on Terror. Twenty percent of the budget is used to pay veterans benefits and the portion of the debt that is derived from the military (most of it).

The United States spends more money on its military than every other country in the world combined.

No military-industrial complex? Okay.

That's the discretionary spending, not the entire budget. We spend about the same amount on social security and I don't see you talking about the old-people-industrial complex.

And military spending as a proportion of GDP has fallen massively from thirty years ago. At this point the US spends about the same as China in terms of total wealth.

So yes, the US spends more, but it has more money. That comes with being the richest country in the world.

Me. C'mon, in thirty seconds flat, I could have the whole school thinking you're pregnant with a demented child, whose father is the principle. I am amazing at rumours.

That's the discretionary spending, not the entire budget. We spend about the same amount on social security and I don't see you talking about the old-people-industrial complex.
There's talk of ending or severely limiting Social Security. No such talk about the military. In fact, we're increasing spending.
And military spending as a proportion of GDP has fallen massively from thirty years ago. At this point the US spends about the same as China in terms of total wealth.

Wow. Our military spending is proportional to the military spending of the world's largest authoritarian regime. Progress.
So yes, the US spends more, but it has more money. That comes with being the richest country in the world.
And yet we spend that wealth on an increasingly unnecessary army and create enemies abroad instead of spending that wealth on a civilized health-care system and directing the publics attention towards the deplorable sate of this nation's inner cites and depressed rural areas. Certainly, pressure is being applied somewhere.
:rolleyes:
Consider which country has caused the most damage to other countries since WWII.

There's talk of ending or severely limiting Social Security. No such talk about the military. In fact, we're increasing spending.

Wow. Our military spending is proportional to the military spending of the world's largest authoritarian regime. Progress.

And yet we spend that wealth on an increasingly unnecessary army and create enemies abroad instead of spending that wealth on a civilized health-care system and directing the publics attention towards the deplorable sate of this nation's inner cites and depressed rural areas. Certainly, pressure is being applied somewhere.

Consider which country has caused the most damage to other countries since WWII.

There is no real talk about decreasing social security. The US military budget has declined as a moving average downwards since 1960, the social security budget has increased.

And as for spending that 'wealth, I'm sure you are first in the camp which says we need 'more' education.

There is no real talk about decreasing social security. The US military budget has declined as a moving average downwards since 1960, the social security budget has increased.
When push comes to shove and the government can't afford both, we'll see which is cut.
And, by the by, Social Security being equal to or more than defense spending is only what the government reports. When you consider that most of the debt is due to military spending, the military outspends social security by a long shot.
And as for spending that 'wealth, I'm sure you are first in the camp which says we need 'more' education.
Better not more,. Less for some people. Though I hardly understand what that has to do with anything.

So yes, the US spends more, but it has more money. That comes with being the richest country in the world.

Lol, that is one side of the coin, also the most indebted country in the world with more than double the combined debt of every other country combined.
Lets not even go into the stagnating economy.
By all rights the US should have crashed by now, but luckily that hasn't happened yet.

How many billion dollars does the US borrow every day?

When push comes to shove and the government can't afford both, we'll see which is cut.
And, by the by, Social Security being equal to or more than defense spending is only what the government reports. When you consider that most of the debt is due to military spending, the military outspends social security by a long shot.

Better not more,. Less for some people. Though I hardly understand what that has to do with anything.

The defense budget will be cut. The moving average over the past fifty years of the defense budget is down. On the other hand the social security spending keeps on increasing and shows no sign of slowing.

I only mentioned education because it has been increasing as a percentage of GDP at a terrifying rate compared to real GDP growth.

Consider which country has caused the most damage to other countries since WWII.



Communism has killed over 100 million people.....And I doubt any claims saying the USA is evil, it's all nonsense and quite a lot of our wars were justified. I will buy the USA is evil when it commits a terrorist act against spain like the islamic militants did. Or against the UK...and treats it's people the same as Iran does, who hangs gay people in public and when the USA bans premarital sex and beats people for having it......Right now I would be happier with the USA...atleast here I won't be killed for not supporting it. If that happened half the country would be dead by now.

Lol, that is one side of the coin, also the most indebted country in the world with more than double the combined debt of every other country combined.
Lets not even go into the stagnating economy.
By all rights the US should have crashed by now, but luckily that hasn't happened yet.

How many billion dollars does the US borrow every day?

This is not a bad argument about the future. But at the moment the US is still the richest country in the world by a long way, so it's understandable that the spot price for defense is so high.

Oh yes, roll your eyes. Be ignorant.

No, that's your job. Looks like you are doing a bang up one too! Must be easy to flame rather than make an intelligent comment.......Goood Job....Just bravo.

:rolleyes:

Oh yes, roll your eyes. Be ignorant.

Lol, that is one side of the coin, also the most indebted country in the world with more than double the combined debt of every other country combined.
Lets not even go into the stagnating economy.
By all rights the US should have crashed by now, but luckily that hasn't happened yet.

How many billion dollars does the US borrow every day?

And who, pray tell is that money borrowed from? The citizens of the United States of America.

He shoots, he scores! Two points!

Me. C'mon, in thirty seconds flat, I could have the whole school thinking you're pregnant with a demented child, whose father is the principle. I am amazing at rumours.

i knew there was something about you when i saw those photos :p

And who, pray tell is that money borrowed from? The citizens of the United States of America.

He shoots, he scores! Two points!



Nah, that's worth at least 3 points.

Actually, Japan's spending on the SDF was down this year and it doesn't look like they are planning any major troop increases any time soon. Currently they are working on updating equipment to maintain self defense capasity and argue about Article 9 and the notion of collective self defence.

Oh, and Japan hasn't had an army since 1945 so I'm not too sure what you think is increasing.

don't forget they sign that thing with us

Nah, that's worth at least 3 points.

By an external judge's ruling, it was worth 3 points!

Communism has killed over 100 million people.....And I doubt any claims saying the USA is evil, it's all nonsense and quite a lot of our wars were justified. I will buy the USA is evil when it commits a terrorist act against spain like the islamic militants did. Or against the UK...and treats it's people the same as Iran does, who hangs gay people in public and when the USA bans premarital sex and beats people for having it......Right now I would be happier with the USA...atleast here I won't be killed for not supporting it. If that happened half the country would be dead by now.
Most of those deaths were due to domestic policies. We were talking international peace. I never said the US was evil, and I don't believe it is.
The defense budget will be cut. The moving average over the past fifty years of the defense budget is down. On the other hand the social security spending keeps on increasing and shows no sign of slowing.
But that spending went up during the Reagan and Bush Jr. years. The years where men with significant ties to military contractors controlled the White House.
I only mentioned education because it has been increasing as a percentage of GDP at a terrifying rate compared to real GDP growth.
Yes education is scary isn't it? My God, people might actually be able to locate the countries we're bombing on a map. Almost like they're real places with real people.

No, that's your job. Looks like you are doing a bang up one too! Must be easy to flame rather than make an intelligent comment.......Goood Job....Just bravo.

How can you not see the the USA is the problem?

Instead of telling me why you disagree, you roll your eyes and accuse me of flaming.

And who, pray tell is that money borrowed from? The citizens of the United States of America.

He shoots, he scores! Two points!
Most of its from Asia thankfully because when the government borrows domestically it crowds out private investment which is a very, very bad thing.

And who, pray tell is that money borrowed from? The citizens of the United States of America.

He shoots, he scores! Two points!

Most of it comes from asia actually.

And who, pray tell is that money borrowed from? The citizens of the United States of America.

He shoots, he scores! Two points!
Err... no... Japan, China and other countries hold 44% of the debt, the largest chunk.

don't forget they sign that thing with us
Which sign thingie with us? Japan has a lot of them. ;)

How can you not see the the USA is the problem?

Instead of telling me why you disagree, you roll your eyes and accuse me of flaming.



Lets see here.....Lets compare Islamic terror to the USA


Does the USA


Hang gay people in public? NO
Threaten to nuke Israel because they hate jews? NO
Kill people who dissent? NO
Make out of wedlock sex a crime? NO
Allow men to beat their wives? NO
Support terror attacks against european countires? NO
Try to enforce it's religion on all countries and hate those who don't? NO
Beat people caught having sex out of wedlock? NO
Have no freedom of speech or religion? NO
Force men to have long beards? NO


Comparing middle east nations way of life compared to the USA....Hmmmm....Yeah, I'll take my chance with the USA! Atleast here I can openly dissent and vote against people if I disagree with them. There I would be killed.


Oh yes, roll your eyes. Be ignorant.


That is a flame.

Err... no... Japan, China and other countries hold 44% of the debt, the largest chunk.


Doesn't Japan have the highest debt to GDP ratio in the world?

Which sign thingie with us? Japan has a lot of them. ;)

to train with OZ troops

But that spending went up during the Reagan and Bush Jr. years. The years where men with significant ties to military contractors controlled the White House.

As a percentage of GDP, not so much. It was much higher under Truman than either Reagan or GWB. It's trending down. Sure Regan pushed it up compared to Carter, but compared to LBJ reagan was a pussy when it came to defence spending. And GWB is higher than Clinton, but the next guy is going to choppy chop chop the budget. It is getting smaller. That's life.

On the other hand, Social security payments increase YoY as a percentage of GDP.


Yes education is scary isn't it? My God, people might actually be able to locate the countries we're bombing on a map. Almost like they're real places with real people.

So you are saying they can't now? And if they can't why would spending more money change the situation?

Doesn't Japan have the highest debt to GDP ratio in the world?
2nd higest, but it does hold the largest amount of US debt.

to train with OZ troops
Oh, yeah. Japan trains with everyone in the area that might get involved with a dispute between it and China/North Korea. However, they are still debating just how far they can take self defence. The PM has started the process to revise the constitution, but recent polls have stated that the majority is against it... so until then Japan can train, but can't actually do anything unless attacked.

You can't take away points that have already been given by a regulation referee. Mwahahaha. I still have 3 points.

Most of those deaths were due to domestic policies. We were talking international peace. I never said the US was evil, and I don't believe it is.



All countries make mistakes, including the USA. I don't believe the USA is evil on any level, it does have good intentions most of the time...But you can't win a war on good intentions ...Iraq and Vietnam can testify to that.

Oh, yeah. Japan trains with everyone in the area that might get involved with a dispute between it and China/North Korea. However, they are still debating just how far they can take self defence. The PM has started the process to revise the constitution, but recent polls have stated that the majority is against it... so until then Japan can train, but can't actually do anything unless attacked.

way things ago we may not have the man power to get involved in more things then we are in

As a percentage of GDP, not so much. It was much higher under Truman than either Reagan or GWB. It's trending down. Sure Regan pushed it up compared to Carter, but compared to LBJ reagan was a pussy when it came to defence spending. And GWB is higher than Clinton, but the next guy is going to choppy chop chop the budget. It is getting smaller. That's life.
I think you're missing the point. It doesn't really matter if it's getting smaller. The point is, it is much too large now. Right now.
So you are saying they can't now?
Studies show that they can not.
And if they can't why would spending more money change the situation?
Pay enough so that intelligent people actually want to be teachers instead of the glorified babysitters we have now? Hire more teachers so students can get more one on one interaction. Create interactive learning tools that students will actually enjoy? Provide extra pay to teachers that tooter. Create programs that ensure students aren't taking classes they won't need. Free University education like a civilized country.

2nd higest, but it does hold the largest amount of US debt.



Based on the CIA worldfactbook Lebanon has the highest with 209% of their GDP...OUCH!

All countries make mistakes, including the USA. I don't believe the USA is evil on any level, it does have good intentions most of the time...But you can't win a war on good intentions ...Iraq and Vietnam can testify to that.

I can understand how you might still think we had good intentions in Iraq, but you really don't know much about the history of Vietnam, do you?

So you are saying they can't now?
What was the latest report from National Geographic... somewhere over half of US adults can't locate Iraq on a map...

I can understand how you might still think we had good intentions in Iraq, but you really don't know much about the history of Vietnam, do you?



I know know about Vietnam and what happened. Trying to protect them from communism to me was a good thing....How we went about it....Not so much. See what I mean when I say you can't win a war on good intentions?

Based on the CIA worldfactbook Lebanon has the highest with 209% of their GDP...OUCH!

yur CIA i'll take what they SAY with pinch of salt the same with ASIS and ASIO

yur CIA i'll take what they SAY with pinch of salt the same with ASIS and ASIO



Rather take shots, show me why their number is wrong and provide reliable sources.

I know know about Vietnam and what happened. Trying to protect them from communism to me was a good thing....How we went about it....Not so much. See what I mean when I say you can't win a war on good intentions?

It wasn't about trying to protect them from communism. We made that abundantly clear when standard operating procedure was to destroy villages that might harbor enemies. No, the point was to keep communism from spreading, but for our sake, not theirs.

Rather take shots, show me why their number is wrong and provide reliable sources.

an they are, where are the so called WMD thats why i take what they say with a pinch of salt

The east has old civilization and a sensible approach to dealing with the world.

The ME has the oil, the insane religion, the sand nomad mindset and the lack of cultural experience.

The ME has the greater potential of causing trouble.

Agreed. Though I make it a point never to talk about the future in certain terms, the fact that a fanatic like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can be in such a position of power is frightening and doesn't bode well.

Agreed. Though I make it a point never to talk about the future in certain terms, the fact that a fanatic like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can be in such a position of power is frightening and doesn't bode well.
Please, he's actually one of the least fanatical leaders in the region and is far more reasonable than the Ayatollahs who actually run the country.

an they are, where are the so called WMD thats why i take what they say with a pinch of salt



There are other places to get economic numbers, state why they are better.

There are other places to get economic numbers, state why they are better.

they not they just the same ,one lot say one thing and the other lot say something difference

Japan continues to expand its military, especially the army with the backing of the US. That can be very dangerous.Expanding your military from a provincial police force is neither threatening nor dangerous.

Switzerland obviously - the silent killers in the heart of Europe.

We're a threat? Do you write for Xinhua News?

Asia, she was a skank and hung around Triple H.

We're a threat? Do you write for Xinhua News?
Of course. Soon the Sushi Police will force all the non-Japanese sushi restaurants to close and then Japan will be able to hold the world hostage for a few nori rolls! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! *Insert more evil laughter here*

China. The amount they're contributing to gloabal warming will kill far more people than half baked terror attacks by a couple of fanatics.

So you are saying they can't now? And if they can't why would spending more money change the situation?

I get the feeling that much of the US budget set aside for education ends up lining somebody's pocket and not paying for actually educating people.

Except maybe in how to commit grand larceny.

Support terror attacks against european countires? NO
(edited in: support terror attacks against Cuba?: YES


Obviously, emphasis and counter added.

The US of course, they are the terrorist state with the greatest military, followed by Israel, I mean they only have a few million people yet look at all the trouble they cause.

China. The amount they're contributing to gloabal warming will kill far more people than half baked terror attacks by a couple of fanatics.

Considering the USA contributes just as much to global warming while taking in account it has alot less people along with a more power economy, I'd say somebody else besides china should make a good example here.