[TexaninVA]

When threads are started and get into topics of national security, I’ve observed that posters usually fall into two camps. Camp membership is probably a combination of life experiences, political preferences, common sense (as defined by the person) and so forth.

The first camp, probably about 2/3s if not more of TOTVers, instinctively understand the totalitarian leadership currently calling the shots in Iran, China, and elsewhere are best viewed as our enemy. That means they are inimical to our interests and national security if not dealt with and, ideally, should be removed from power. I will call this camp “Peace Through Superior Firepower” for lack of a better term, and identify them as right of center. Most in this camp view America as a force for good in the world, on balance and overall. Note that I did not say perfect or flawless, but still we essentially view America as the good guys.

The second camp could be described several ways. I’ll be nice, and just call them “Peace Through Superior Flower Power” and observe they are typically left of center. They tend to look at actions and say “Hey, it’s not any worse than anything the US has done.” The tendency is to view America as the source of problems, vs solutions, and seek to understand the “other” points of view, whether it’s Iran, China, Cuba et al. IMO this group takes a kind of multicultural approach to foreign policy where all other cultures are to be admired while one, ours, is kind of well … we do have our faults. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa would be another way of saying it.

The first camp views the second as having their heads firmly lodged in a very dark place, while usually rolling over in the face of America’s enemies.

The second camp views the first as warmongers who want to nuke the world because, after all, we don’t really have enemies just adversaries. Besides, wolves and sheep are not necessarily incompatible. Can’t we all just get along?

I don’t expect to change anyone’s minds, but I think it could make for an interesting discussion.

• Which camp do you think has proven more successful in our history and why?
• Which camp do you see yourself as being in, or maybe which do you find more compelling even if not persuasive?


...

[Nucky]

This is a rough one Mr. TexaninVa. I'll have to get back to you in a couple of minutes. I have to make up my mind.

Very nice observation though. This should be a good one.

OKAY I thought about it. I have plenty of Skin In The Game. 2 Closer than Close family members and they are not in the NAVY but if they were on the boat that was teased yesterday I would hope that Whoever has the call as to whether we shoot or not had the Guts to give the Captain The Green Light to Sink Their Boston Whaler. What a slap in the face to our country that was. B.S. No More!

[B767drvr]

Superior firepower camp! Why? Well...


Are you a Superior Flower Power Proponent, a Superior Firepower Proponent, or a Redneck?

Here is a little test that will help you decide:

You're walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children. Suddenly, an Islamic terrorist with a huge knife comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, praises Allah, raises the knife, and charges at you.

You are carrying a Glock cal. 40, and you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family.

What do you do?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Superior Flower Power Answer:

Well, that's not enough information to answer the question!

Does the man look poor! Or oppressed?

Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack?

Could we run away?

What does my wife think? What about the kids?

Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand?

What does the law say about this situation?

Does the Glock have appropriate safety built into it?

Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what kind of message does this send to society and to my children?

Is it possible he'd be happy with just killing me?

Does he definitely want to kill me, or would he be content just to wound me?

If I were to grab his knees and hold on , could my family get away while he was stabbing me?

Should I call 9-1-1?

Why is this street so deserted?

We need to raise taxes, have a paint and weed day and make this a happier, healthier street that would discourage such behavior.

This is all so confusing!

I need to discuss with some friends over a latte and try to come to a consensus.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Superior Firepower's Answer:

BANG!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Redneck's Answer:

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Click....

(sounds of reloading)

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! click .

Daughter: "Nice grouping, Daddy! Were those the Winchester Silver Tips or Hollow Points?"

Son: "You got him, Pop! Can I shoot the next one?"

Wife: "You are not taking that to the taxidermist!"

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Pragmatism all the way.

I'd look behind me to see if this "Islamic terrorist" was trying to rescue me and my family from a White Nationalist coming from behind with an AR-15. Because around here, that would be the more likely risk. If so, I would grab my family and get out of the way.

[2AFRetSNCOs]

That's an easy answer. Between us, my wife and I have a total of 50 years, 10 months, and 23 days of active military service. I think it's pretty safe to say we're in favor of the superior firepower approach.

[TexaninVA]

Originally Posted by 2AFRetSNCOs

That's an easy answer. Between us, my wife and I have a total of 50 years, 10 months, and 23 days of active military service. I think it's pretty safe to say we're in favor of the superior firepower approach.

Thank you for your service

[TexaninVA]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Pragmatism all the way.

I'd look behind me to see if this "Islamic terrorist" was trying to rescue me and my family from a White Nationalist coming from behind with an AR-15. Because around here, that would be the more likely risk. If so, I would grab my family and get out of the way.

It sounds like you might be somewhere between the two camps ... pragmatism kind of leans you into the firepower camp but that's just a guess. Good answer though.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by B767drvr

Superior firepower camp! Why? Well...


Are you a Superior Flower Power Proponent, a Superior Firepower Proponent, or a Redneck?

Here is a little test that will help you decide:

You're walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children. Suddenly, an Islamic terrorist with a huge knife comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, praises Allah, raises the knife, and charges at you.

You are carrying a Glock cal. 40, and you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family.

What do you do?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Superior Flower Power Answer:

Well, that's not enough information to answer the question!

Does the man look poor! Or oppressed?

Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack?

Could we run away?

What does my wife think? What about the kids?

Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand?

What does the law say about this situation?

Does the Glock have appropriate safety built into it?

Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway, and what kind of message does this send to society and to my children?

Is it possible he'd be happy with just killing me?

Does he definitely want to kill me, or would he be content just to wound me?

If I were to grab his knees and hold on , could my family get away while he was stabbing me?

Should I call 9-1-1?

Why is this street so deserted?

We need to raise taxes, have a paint and weed day and make this a happier, healthier street that would discourage such behavior.

This is all so confusing!

I need to discuss with some friends over a latte and try to come to a consensus.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Superior Firepower's Answer:

BANG!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Redneck's Answer:

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Click....

(sounds of reloading)

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! click .

Daughter: "Nice grouping, Daddy! Were those the Winchester Silver Tips or Hollow Points?"

Son: "You got him, Pop! Can I shoot the next one?"

Wife: "You are not taking that to the taxidermist!"

OK, this goes down as one of my favorite all time posts

[Hayek1957]

Look back into history to find the answer: quote from Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus (Rome, 4th century AD)

The original Latin phrase: Si vis pacem, para bellum
Translation: If you want peace, prepare for war.

This is wise advise, that has transcended the centuries.

[arbajeda]

Several sayings that sum up many people's feelings, two of which are:

"Speak softly and carry a big stick." You should know who said this.

"You negotiate with your enemy with your knee on his chest and your knife at his throat." A great military man I knew many years ago.

[stadry]

you go to war with the army you have, NOT the army you wish you had,,, i don't know of any soldier who wants to go to war

[bmit16]

Redneck is a little offensive. We prefer Appalachian American! Either way, I shoot to kill and high 5 that group behind me that the other snowflake was worried about.

[Hayek1957]

Another of my favorite military quotes:
Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.
General James Mattis

[J1ceasar]

Thank you for your service.

[ldecaterina]

I would ask him to please social distance himself at least 6-feet from my family during these uncertain times when the new normal means we are all fighting an invisible enemy rather than one another.