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I believe that the US is a net exporter of food and could probably be self sufficient in oil too if need be. Also, with that huge military the US could pretty m

by vondur 12y ago

I believe that the US is a net exporter of food and could probably be self sufficient in oil too if need be. Also, with that huge military the US could pretty much take whatever we want from whomever we want. It reminds me of a scene from the Rome TV series when Caesar is in Alexandria trying to collect the money owed to Rome (Pompey the Great). He is explaining his calculations to the Egyptians when the minister of Egypt protests that is based on Roman law, and Caesar replies "Is there any other?"

ojbyrne 12y ago
That whole "take whatever we want from whomever we want" has failed a few times. Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, etc.
- cookiecaper 12y ago
  It hasn't failed. If you disrupt the balance of power in a tribal state, you're going to have a lot of contingencies making power plays. The U.S. accomplished its short-term goals at least in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Changing hearts and minds" is good propaganda but everyone knows it's eminently unrealistic, and not why we invade countries.
- EpicEng 12y ago
  if we suddenly stopped caring about human rights and political consequences (I.e., we're starving), it's a different approach completely. It's not like we unleashed the full force of our military (our came anywhere near). Of course, your entire premise is flawed as we could support ourselves Not sure where you got your numbers from, but they're wrong.
balabaster 12y ago
> with that huge military the US could pretty much take whatever we want from whomever we want It's exactly this attitude that is gradually turning the world against them.
EpicEng 12y ago
"Is there any other... You wretched woman" The full quote :)