General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Obama Discusses Targeted Killing of U.S. Citizens During Google+ Hangout [View all]bigtree
(85,992 posts). . . we're all waiting for the 'peace dividend,' both in economic and substantive terms.
But, if we're talking about just shifting those priorities into a new set of must-have objectives and materials without addressing our nation's overall military posture that Bush/Cheney put us in, we're not ever going to reduce that expenditure.
We're still allowing that reflexive reliance and use of that military power to achieve whatever the President or Congress defines as our national security; most of it, still, under a force authorization that specifically relates to the apprehension or killing of the 9-11 suspects. Should we just replace our Constitution with that resolution to use force against bin-laden and his gang?
There will always be those who seek to do harm to Americans or American interests. We will always look to defend against them. It should matter, though, what the effect and consequences are of the methods we employ. I think most of the prosecution of that effort, from the last administration, and this one, as well, has been a contributor to a widening of that threatening opposition to the U.S. and our interests in the region.