Look, Up In The Sky (America is the Superman of the world's military)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | 12/21/2001 | Jack Kelly

[Hugh Akston]

We own the sky. We own the night. We can strike anywhere in the world. Only we can stop us. Our enemies have come to appreciate this. We must, too, or we will squander a historic opportunity.

The U.S. military is -- absolutely and relatively -- the most powerful fighting force in the history of the world, and our relative superiority is likely to grow. The nation with the next best armed forces is Britain. But the British army, navy and air force put together are smaller than -- and not as good as -- the U.S. Marine Corps.

[Hugh Akston]

Remember what the mood was back in the 70s? My, how things have changed:

Catch Me Now I'm Falling

Written by: Ray Davies

Published by: Davray Music Ltd.

Chord file

Lyrics:

I remember, when you were down
And you needed a helping hand
I came to feed you
But now that I need you
You won't give me a second glance
Now I'm calling all citizens from all over the world
This is Captain America calling
I bailed you out when you were down on your knees
So will you catch me now I'm falling

Help me now I'm calling you
Catch me now I'm falling
I'm in your hands, it's up to you
Catch me now I'm falling

I remember when you were down
You would always come running to me
I never denied you and I would guide you
Through all of your difficulties
Now I'm calling all citizens from all over the world
This is Captain America calling
I bailed you out when you were down on your knees
So will you catch me now I'm falling

Help me now I'm calling you
Catch me now I'm falling
I'm in your hands, it's up to you
Catch me now I'm falling

When you were broke you would come to me
And I would always pull you round
Now I call your office on the telephone
And your secretary tells me that she's sorry,
But, you've gone out of town.

This is Captain America calling
This is Captain America calling

Help me now I'm calling you
Catch me now I'm falling
I'm in your hands, it's up to you
Catch me now I'm falling

Catch me now I'm falling
Catch me now I'm falling
Catch me now I'm falling
Catch me now I'm falling

I stood by you through all of your depressions
And I lifted you when you were down
Now it's your chance to do the same for me
I call your office and your secretary tells me
That you've gone out of town

This is Captain America calling
This is Captain America calling

Catch me now I'm falling
Catch me now I'm falling

I was the one who always bailed you out
Of your depressions and your difficulties
I never thought that you would let me down
But the next time you're in trouble
Better not come running to me

Now I'm calling all citizens from all over the world
This is Captain America calling
I bailed you out when you were down on your knees
So will you catch me now I'm falling
Catch me now I'm falling

[RoseofTexas]

This is due to the fact that GOD in his mercy has made it possible for America to develop this superpower military! GLORY TO GOD, may he alone be praised for bestowing upon America the ability to subdue the enemy! NEVER FORGET TO GIVE GOD THE GLORY FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!!

[Eska]

This is good so far but; What do ya think would actually happen if 18 year olds started getting "YOU ARE HEREBY DIRECTED TO PRESENT YOURSELF AND SUBMIT LETTERS WITH A BIG X BY NON-VOLUNTEER" And then the 700/week deaths started.

I think we'd need a better defined enemy to attack and a true world conflict to have America's unqualified support.

Keeping everything at the current levels of manpower & technology is good. Increasing military spending, like what Ronnie did would be good also. I really think a protracted war with large loss of American lives would be quite different.

I guess when I look up into the sky, all I see are hues of pulsating greens & reds.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Our tactics also have improved. In Desert Storm, the Green Baret was not particularly useful due to the nature of that war. In this war, the Green Baret was used to its fullest extent, and the Baret has become far more effective than it was in Vietnam.

I'm not certain what kind of a role the other special forces played. It's best we not know for certain. But clearly, it's not just our hardware that has improved.

On the other hand, China is no slouch, thanks to Clinton. He probably did more to create an evil superpower than any other man in the history of the earth.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Are you saying it is dangerous to provide air support to the Kurdish rebels of Iraq? LOL.

[Eska]

No, I just don't see the American youth as patriotic they were during the Vietnam Era and an extended conflict as such would have a similiar negative effect on our country. I have at kids at school that refuse to stand during the morning pledge and ridicule patriotism in general. I had the marine recruiters in 2 weeks back and no takers what so ever. We actually need to go back to the entire school standing outside every morning for the flag raising/pledge.

I'd just luv to see bush continue at current levels and get relected hands down; and knock out Iraq and anyone else that is our enemy. Can this effectivly be done without large American losses?

[Hugh Akston]

the American youth as patriotic they were during the Vietnam Era

You are joking, right?

The American youth during the Vietnam Era sure seemed to me to be the antithesis of patriotic.

[Savage Beast]

"The failure of our chattering classes to recognize the breathtaking extent of American power is in large part because they know absolutely nothing about matters military, and show little inclination to learn."

The chatteratti are locked in a paradigm and blind to everything else. From this paradigm they cannot see American forbearance, honor, virtue, or goodness. They also cannot see that their own stupidity put them there and keeps them there.

"There are none so blind as those who will not see."

Are you listening American Liberals? Those who are tempted to vote for Democrats? Muslims? Chatteratti?

[NeonKnight]

Air Force Spec Ops did more in the early phases of the war than any other Spec Ops. Early on, it was AF Forward Air Controllers calling in the air strikes. The Green Berrets were organizing the resistance. CIA operatives were probably directing the whole thing and telling everyone else where to go.

[rdww]

"Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair."
Is the US in danger of becoming God?

[Hugh Akston]

Huh?

[weikel]

Yes it can be done without huge losses the incompetence of the Arab Countries militarily is well established.

[VOA]

Remember what the mood was back in the 70s? My, how things have changed:
Catch Me Now I'm Falling
Written by: Ray Davies

Ah yes, the era when we Americans were preparing to go to work for our new masters,
the Japanese.
My brother and I occassionally recall the National Lampoon cover with Japanese factory
workers (in their neat jumpsuits) doing a make-over on a large marque so that it read
"CHLYSLER" (in anticipation of Mitsubishi taking over Chrysler).

Who'd think that now the USA would have the one really vital economy (of course catching
it's breath now), Japan is still in a 15 year long bear market, and we sold
the auto division of Chrysler to some Germans who are now thinking about selling it
back to us at a loss!

We don't have time to gloat...we just have to do all we can to keep this going!

[Hugh Akston]

I just watched "Gung Ho" not too long ago. Very unintentionally funny it now is. :-)

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I didn't want to get into too many specifics. But what the heck. We can't keep our mouths shut forever.

Of course, like you said, the CIA and Air Force were gathering a ton of information, which was sent to tacticians for planning, and then the Green Baret got contacted. And the eyes are absoultely critical.

But being on the field, and talking with the NA as well as our tacticians, the Green Baret was the hub of the ground force wheel. And God only knows when there is some immediate opportunity or crisis on the field with a minute time window that requires one or two highly trained specialists.... Of course, language skills etc. are emphasised a lot more with the Baret than with other special forces. Communication, problem solving. Other forces are more hands on.

But all things considered, you have to be fairly good at everything to be a green baret. Different languages are an absolute must. Tactics. Personal combat. A little in commando. A lot in defense networks, which means you have to understand basic construction. Weapons, explosives, and vehicles from various nations-- not just US. Logistics. A lot in training and leadership. Basic medicine and surgery. Also, a lot of diplomacy.

Too much for any one man. You can't expect them to simply relay messages because they have to understand the concepts during operations so that plans can be delivered, understood, modified, and elaborated on quickly.

When the UN neutered us and made it impractical to use Green Baret, it made something like our Taliban operation impossible. We would have had to send lots of US soldiers in there, instead. We still would have won, but not as well.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

"Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair." Is the US in danger of becoming God?

Good point. Never call a ship unsinkable, or an army invinicible. God will hasten the humiliation.

[4TheFlag]

"The American Youth of the 60's"

I BEG your pardon sir, but I was one of MANY Youths of the 60's, and I VOLUNTEERED for Vietnam in 1971.

Don't lump ALL of us into one category.

[Hugh Akston]

Lighten up, Francis. I was not saying that all were unpatriotic. We were discussing generalities.

But thank you for your service, and Merry Christmas. IMO, our country never did right by you guys.

[Cvengr]

Well stated and I concur.

Also, for all those so quick to point out the US as a superpower, it is also incumbant that we live up to the accountability associated with responsibility and authority.

It is also noteworthy, that these perceptions are based on simply an ability to transport and supply about 1000 to 5000 men worldwide within a 6-24 hr notice. The US has not been tested in a massive resolve to deliver over 100,000 - 1,000,000 men at the tooth of a massive military effort in harm's way, nor has western culture been tasked to a total effort since WWII.

It is very tempting for the uninitiated and the career soldier/sailor/airman to confuse recent successes in wars, which we have halted, as having changed the willpower of our enemies and banter about our military prowess.

The real battles are those of the will. How many will be led to righteousness vice unrighteousness by our tactics and operations? Merry CHRISTmas.

[FlyVet]

Ref Post #2: You got that right. Now is not the time to wallow in self-importance. It ain't over yet, by a long shot. As our President has said over and over, this is going to take a long, long time.