Replies

First, I am not discounting the spirit componenent of military effectiveness one iota, but our military superiority has rested, since the Civil War, on our prowess as an industrialized nation, our ability to arm our fighters with more firepower than anyone else. Second, no one, not me at least, is questioning the continued superiority of our armed forces.

The problem is that maintaining an effective fighting force half way around the world has stretched what we can afford to bear to the breaking point, and at a time that we needed to be working down our debts, public and private, we have instead piled onto them. I think that much of what we are seeing with the housing crunch, subprimes, the collapse of the dollar and the rise of cold, etc. is directly tied to our adventure in Iraq. Financial and political capital needed to transform our own economy has been squandered on an overseas adventure.

Look I am retired Navy and as pro-military as the next guy. But this was one march too long. I have nothing but admiration for the soldiers and airmen who have fought this war, and the great job they have been doing. But that does not mean it was worth it.