Are you suggesting that fiction cannot be logical? Sorry, i got his name conflated with J.R.R. Tolkien. This is me pokerfacing as you finger a cup of straws. Y

Are you suggesting that fiction cannot be logical? Sorry, i got his name conflated with J.R.R. Tolkien. This is me pokerfacing as you finger a cup of straws. Your ignorance of military tactics renders this discussion pointless. Your statement, "Incidentally, having combat units stationed around the world doesn't do much to avoid global conflicts." when the entirety of the last half of the 20th century stands in direct opposition to your statement is what leads me to believe this. I just sat through Bill Ayers, the terrorist turned professor, for two hours. Of all the drivel he spewed, his objection to military spending was the most aggravating. He says we spend to much money. When asked what would be a better amount, he says "(paraphrasing) I dont know less". when pushed to take a stance, he says something to the effect of "in the modern age there is no real need of a large military." He is working off of the relatively recent trend of remotely operated killing machines. If you asked him, separately, about the CIA drone program, i wonder if he would be supportive. Regardless of our personal sentiments, time will tell. who knows, maybe your camp is right and the world will just be peaceful for the most part, and, when the increasingly rare occasion where a disagreement turns into a conflict they will fight honorably and under self imposed limits. Just like in Syria.