[the OlLine Rebel]

Not all were against a "standing army"; that was basically an anti-Federalist stance (albeit admittedly too many were scared to death because of their experiences w/British usage of troops). Washington wasn't - he knew how dreadful it was trying to conduct a war w/o it.

[Steel Wolf]

I'm sure that they weren't all against a standing army, and I can think of times in our history when not having one would be very detrimental. Still, I could very much envision a time now where we could disband most of our standing ground forces, but keep a strong Special Operations presence together for counterterrorism purposes. With a strong naval and air presence, we'd be safe from any conventional threat.

Just a crazy thought, I realize, but I wonder if the Founders, were they alive today, would still think it a good idea?