Liberal Forum

deezer shoove » 17 Feb 2014 11:53 am » wrote:Speaking of memory, the massive build up that scared the **** out of the Soviets was mostly real. That's part of the increase you cite. The impression was very strong that they might return the favor and build up as well (ala Cold War style). Here was the kicker: America's economic strength could draw on it's credibility, reserve currency status, basic intrinsic wealth, etc. to pull off the threat of ever-increasing military. THAT was the ploy the Soviets could not pull off. The "We'll match every ammo pile bullet for bullet" plan was not credible for them. I mean, not even close. It took lots of overt spending to show the seriousness and commitment the US was willing to put forth at the time. Very expensive proposition.

That scenario was a very unique collision of events. To compare times even relatively soon before and after is missing some very real circumstances.

That's what I remember...

Yes, the narrative. As usual, fetishizing all things military and understanding military issues are very different things, son.

The Soviets did not need to match us bullet for bullet to defend themselves against us. The MAD doctrine obviated a nuclear war. You may pretend the Soviets did not reciprocate in adhering to that doctrine, but your argument would be with actual history - not with me. They certainly never went nuclear. They went gently into that good night.

To beat the Soviets in a prolonged Asian land war, we would need to project many, many times the power with which they resisted - and every ounce of projected power would cost our economy more than every pound of resistance they generated.

I won't bother to explain any of that to you, because it's obvious you prefer fanciful narratives over manly truth - why waste the words? I include it in my response for the men on the board.

As to the rest, tell me again about the peace dividend and how much safer we all are on account of Reagan's profligate spending on the corporatocracy that IKE warned us about. I don't remember ceding civil rights out of fear of Reds, son. But the beardy beardies sure made you girls drop trou.

Here is the bottom line: In 1961, Ike Eisenhower warned us about Reagan. In 2014, you still haven't gotten the memo, and are spewing right wing talking points as contextual, historical reality. I'm not saying your gay...



But you clearly are sending some signals, son.