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Between 2001 and 2022, the U.S. spent over $8 trillion on war. The U.S. comprises just over 4% of the world’s population, but we're responsible for 40% of global military spending. And with all that money spent – has global security improved over the same time frame? Economies of scale. We don’t need five branches. One scaled down US Military. We also don’t need sixteen intelligence agencies. Scale it to one.

This was fun

Timeline of Trump conviction: Republicans: If he's so bad, why not present the evidence? Because you HAVE NONE, that's why! (evidence is presented) Republicans: So why not take it to a DA? Because you know you have nothing. That's how the system works. Sorry loser libs. (DA looks at evidence) Republicans: That doesn't mean anything. If it really meant something he'd be indicted and he's NOT! Nothing sandwich! (Trump is indicted) Republicans: Innocent until proven guilty! That's how the justice system works. I guess libs don't care about justice. (Trump is convicted) Republicans: WEAPONIZING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM!

Thats why we keep you around here. IMO what the Ukraine war has shown is what a paper tiger Russia is. Its laughable how poorly the S-400 and S-300 systems are. Useful for shooting down airliners at 38,000' but not much more. The overlooked conflict that altered the nature of war in the 21st century showed what was to come in modern wars and that was four years ago. Today a armed drone costs Ukraine an average of $500.

There are 21 sovereign nations with no or no significant armed forces, and with the exception of Granada none of them have been overthrown or invaded in living memory.

I'd guess that, too, but I am not privy to any numbers. Interesting is that our vaunted Abrams tank, yes it's no the A2, we surplussed to Ukraine have no more battlefield value than WWII Russian T-34's: mobile artillery. Our 50 year old F-16's with the right missiles will likely balance things in the air. Clearly we don't need anymore tanks that burn the wrong fuel, if any at all, and it's doubtful we need the 6th generation airpower we are paying through the nose for. Like it or not there are serious limits on what conventional arms can achieve in todays world and that in itself may shape the coming world order.

Antiquated, sure, in that railroads date back to 1804. However, road transport costs 3x that of rail for moving freight a given distance when all expenses are taken into account, according to the CBO. Movement by ship is even less expensive.

Here let me help you off that podium. The point was things we do not need. Duplicitous Items. We have a Navy. Does the Army need one. Military Chump Change? 100 million here, couple of hundred there. I thought the goal was to help fund Universal Healthcare and you asked for details.

It's so much worse than a joke, it's a national tragedy; a misfortune for America that will endure for decades or more. Our nation and the institutions we held up as examples to the world are broken.

Freudian slip? No matter, I agree that somebody needs to do something. Damn, where's Genghis Khan when you need him?

Coast Guard falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Everything that is duplicitous. Aircraft, Infantry, Air Defense, Artillery, Supply, Logistics, Admin, finance, medical, etc.

Hi Keith, I have always wondered about this. It is one of those: We've always done it this way. Total waste, Jerry Baumchen

Whoa! I've suddenly found myself agreeing enthusiastically with Bigun!

Only the right state’s rights though, obviously.

The Scotts have realized Trump can no longer enter Scotland.

The republican party officially claimed that they are the 'party of Trump' after the early primaries. That should be all that anyone needs to know. They are NOT for America or about America, or the constitution, or law and order, they are ONLY about Trump. Like 2020, they do not even have a platform or policy..... only Trump. The Project 2025 so-called platform has nothing to do with policy, it only has to do with handing all power to the executive. Fuck that Trump guy, he is now and will always be the one-term, twice impeached, felony convicted, former president. Soon he will die, and I will celebrate with 18 year old scotch and a neighborhood BBQ. And after the conviction, fuck anyone that supports that POS for president.

I'm not 100% on the legal details, but my understanding is that the question of whether the actions were motivated by election fraud is the only somewhat questionable aspect of the case. If he'd have paid her off and hidden it regardless of politics, the business records issue would only be a misdemeanor. That's partly why the Trump/defence strategy of denying any of it ever happened was so bizarre. Arguing that he never even slept with her wasn't just non-credible, it was completely irrelevant to the case. They threw away any trust the jury might have had in them for nothing. Anyway, that all plays into just how irredeemably despicable Mike Johnson is. If the bible tells you all you need to know about Mike Johnson's position on any issue, where exactly does it talk about turning up to court to cheerlead for a guy caught secretly paying off the porstar he fucked behind his wife's back? I'll never understand these people. I do believe that Mike Johnson thinks he is a committed Christian - hopefully one day he'll have to come to terms with the fact that he prostituted his faith and morality to serve a man who represents everything Jesus would have hated.

What a difference 50 years makes. In 1974 Republicans did not defend the cancer in their party. They cut it out.

You and all of us could also take the view that it is not a shameful day for America. Rather it is a day that shows the strength of the system in its ability to hold such a person accountable. It is a shameful day for Trump but a proud day for the nation.

I don't see justice as shame. I honestly thought he'd buy/threaten/intimidate his way out of this one. Seeing that even a former president is being held accountable for his crimes is a good indication that America is not as corrupt as it seemed yesterday. And that's a good thing.

To recap: Trump U - verdict FRAUD Trump Foundation - verdict FRAUD Trump Organization - verdict TAX FRAUD Hush Money - verdict GUILTY Access Hollywood - self confessed sexual predator. And still there are imbeciles who want him to be their head of state and commander in chief.

In response to questions PMed about the pin follower, images attached. 01: The tool 02: The tool with pin inserted to show hollow end. Cheers. "Even in a world where perfection is unattainable, there's still a difference between excellence and mediocrity." Gary73