[mrustow]

I don't know about Cambridge, but in New York, it's also physical fear. White folks in these parts have all the courage of certain poultry breeds. And physical fear notwithstanding, it's not just the fear of being fired (which to many white folks ranks up there with the fear of death), but the fear of being whitelisted and never working again.

However, none of the foregoing detracts from your point. Americans these days are not the heroic nation they once were. Consider how much of war planning involves avoiding situations in which American boys might end up in body bags.

[cincinnati_Steve]

However, none of the foregoing detracts from your point. Americans these days are not the heroic nation they once were. Consider how much of war planning involves avoiding situations in which American boys might end up in body bags.

I agree with damn near everything you've said to the extent of post #71, but this assertion is bunk. It's akin to postulating that it makes sense that even though you own a gun, you'd show up at a fight where you knew the other dude had a knife without it. In other words, of course we are averse to taking any unnecessary risks. We don't need to. We possess ample technology and resources whereby we can pound the living hell out of our enemies. What do you expect us to do? Airdrop 30,000 troops into battlezones before we bomb 'em back to the age o' rock chunking?

Your posts are valid and cogent, but this single point is certainly spurious.