So, let China freely go on a reign of terror and expansionism in Southeast Asia and just look the other way? That’s a real “stick your head in the sand” read on world history. Seems you forgot all about Pearl Harbor for one thing, not to mention the Cold War.
I don’t care if they wanted our troops there in the past or not. They’re not people who ever attacked us, they’re a democratic, capitalist, Christian, English-speaking nation and they are a longtime diplomatic and economic ally. The idea that the U.S. would stand by and let them get swallowed up by a dictatorial communist tyranny is absolutely appalling, indecent and immoral. If anything this is an opportunity we should take to reestablish a broader military partnership.
Not to mention it would only lay the ground for China to continue a reign of terror and gobble up resources and land just like Japan leading up to WW2. It would be the height of ignorance to believe that is in our best interests. First they came for the Filipinos, and I said nothing....
Okay. I'll look at it from your POV. China wants to kill their world high GDP that keeps their leadership in power, but yet is willing to risk that for some "expansionism" ideal for some shoals/reefs?
"That’s a real “stick your head in the sand” read on world history. Seems you forgot all about Pearl Harbor for one thing, not to mention the Cold War."
Don't you dare lecture me about Pearl nor the Cold War. I am 11 years Aviation Navy Veteran while being chased by Soviet air, surface and sub-surface craft. I don't for a second think I did as much as grunts on the ground have done in the past or currently, but I did know the threat of the Soviet machine looking to send me to the bottom of the sea.
"I don’t care if they wanted our troops there in the past or not. They’re not people who ever attacked us, they’re a democratic, capitalist, Christian, English-speaking nation and they are a longtime diplomatic and economic ally. The idea that the U.S. would stand by and let them get swallowed up by a dictatorial communist tyranny is absolutely appalling, indecent and immoral. If anything this is an opportunity we should take to reestablish a broader military partnership."
I don't give one sh*t about their religion nor their past support. They were stupid enough to kick us out, so I say - so be it. Let them deal with China.
If China attacks, the PI is going to want our blood and treasure. Yes, we have a treaty with them, but I'm starting to wonder about such treaties, since many countries have not honored them.
If China were to attack the PI, tell me Sir, how many of our youth do we need to come back with lost limbs (not to mention DEAD) to protect some ungrateful ally, once again? How many? 100? 1000? 10,000? You're very quick to go to war over a questionable ally. You really want to fight China?
"Not to mention it would only lay the ground for China to continue a reign of terror and gobble up resources and land just like Japan leading up to WW2. It would be the height of ignorance to believe that is in our best interests. First they came for the Filipinos, and I said nothing...."
Can you live anymore in the past? Sheesh, China is not going to gobble up anything in this day, other than maybe some reef. You really don't get economics, do you? They now like their capitalism and it's growing every day.
Do you know how many of their companies are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)? They may fight the Philippines over some shoals, but your extrapolation is to the extreme. Get a new world view, and no, I don't mean socialist or communists ideologies, but economic realities.
Bottom line: China does not want to mess with the US due to us owing so much debt to them. Have any idea how bad it would be for China if the US defaulted on them?
This is not the 1940's - think Tridents. Why should you or me or my wife or your wife or my children or your children give a shit about the Philippines? Other than treaties, I see NO advantage in supporting them. Yes, they are mostly good people, as are many around the world, but where do we draw the line?
How many nations do we need to send our children to die for? Yes, I agreed with killing the Taliban in Aftganiscrap and even Iraq initially. You want to watch more body boxes come home over some stupid shoals?