Which country is biggest threat to peace?

[Kramerman]

But maybe some day.. You guys should have volunteer troops for foreigners who already have military backround, arrange little training so that they can blend in to your system and voila! Free troopers. I'll do it for free damn it, just gimme food, weapon and ammunition.

awesome! *high fives Pekka*

Ive always thought the US needed a "Foreign Legion", reminiescient to that of the French. Hell, we just need a Legion... it just sounds cool...

[Mr. President]

We already have Rangers and SEALs. Cool names go a long way. Intimidation factor and whatnot.

[Pekka]

kramerman, absolutely. There are lots of people in the world who would join and would be definitely worthy.
Let's say I'd like to become a citizen. I volunteer for service, go fight some bad guys dangering my life if not loosing it. Now, is that not enough? What can you do more? And it wouldnt' have to be that hard, just accept people with military training and from certain countries, 'safe' countries. Cheap, good, and almost free cannon fodder. How can you say no? .
Make at least the same requirements for them as you do for your own, maybe even harder because these people should do good, being ex-military, so if the pass all the tests, I see no problemos. Do that, call your congressmen . Do it now!

[Pekka]

I mean you wouldn't even have to pay for them so much, just make them special deals like 'serve 2 years outside US and get free college plus citizenship' etc. Lots of tests, so they are not worthless when they quit army.
ANd it makes things so much easier 'Ohh.. it's a hairy situation.. who should I send.. HEY foreign troops with no families and trouble if you get killed, GO get'em!' 'yes sir!'

[Kramerman]

Originally posted by Mr. President
We already have Rangers and SEALs. Cool names go a long way. Intimidation factor and whatnot.

Rangers, yes.. SEALs... no. Im sorry, I know they are about as hard core as they come (ever play SOCOM on PS2?), but the name just conjurs an image of a big fat sea mammel rolling its lard ass at someone...

Originally posted by Pekka
kramerman, absolutely. There are lots of people in the world who would join and would be definitely worthy.
Let's say I'd like to become a citizen. I volunteer for service, go fight some bad guys dangering my life if not loosing it. Now, is that not enough? What can you do more? And it wouldnt' have to be that hard, just accept people with military training and from certain countries, 'safe' countries. Cheap, good, and almost free cannon fodder. How can you say no? .
Make at least the same requirements for them as you do for your own, maybe even harder because these people should do good, being ex-military, so if the pass all the tests, I see no problemos. Do that, call your congressmen . Do it now!

hmmm... you folk would probably be better citizens than most people I know, if you are that motivated. Its a hell of an idea, just a problem i can see coming out of it is the possibility of terrorists enlisting for the purpose of sabotage or something... but still an interesting idea. I am presently in communication with my Congressmen, perhaps i might be able to mention this? I dunno, i'll think about it

[aaglo]

hmmm... you folk would probably be better citizens than most people I know, if you are that motivated. Its a hell of an idea, just a problem i can see coming out of it is the possibility of terrorists enlisting for the purpose of sabotage or something... but still an interesting idea. I am presently in communication with my Congressmen, perhaps i might be able to mention this? I dunno, i'll think about it

You do that, and I'll become a supportive member (that is the not-active-part) of the legion.

[Pekka]

I don't think terrorism would be so big problem. If you think about it, terrorists can join the US military now like the rest of us can. They're smart and all, and been infiltrating for a long time (maybe?). And I wouldn't expect the US army to recruit just anyone, but people with some skills already, people who have the heart and will, and are from safer countries. I don't think they would recruit people from Chinese army anyway. JUst from the safer countries, that are buddies. If they have recent military backround, they're pretty safe, unlikely terrorists. No more than there already would be.
Them give them absolute hell to test if they are for real, no big pay days, just a promise of citizenship later and maybe some educational benefits. 2 years service at least, combat experience would be plus. Maybe chance of staying in the army.. The beauty of it is that people who really want it, can get it. If they don't have the heart or the will, they won't even bother trying because it could mean possible lost of life. And to enter the army, they'd already have to speak english and all so..
it's cheap, cost effective and makes more people happy. If they die in the field, tough luck, but if they make it, they will become good citizens (most likely), get education and happy future .
I heard the US is having some problems with recruiting anyway, and they need all the people they get, what an opportunity!

[Pekka]

And naturally these troops wouldn't be with the regular US troops at first, maybe after some years. It would be a mixture of foreigners and some US troops (so they won't be outkasts), to avoid possible sabotage. Not giving them access to every place. Fairly safe I'd say, at least not any more dangerous than it is today.

edit: and people who wouldn't stay in the army, they'd have that education benefit, so they'd get a degree, become productive citizens (because they have to do something when they are done with the service!), and pay taxes and consume. Of course there are always few rotten apples who become alcoholics, but the overall would be quite good I think.

And to make it even more realistic, they could also train people with no military experience if they are otherwise ready for training. To make it even safer, they could demand that these troopers have to denounce their citizenships, so they wouldn't be of any nationality. Then they would be one united force. And there wouldn't be a danger them leaving back after they're done. Don't mind me, I'm just thinking loud..

[Ned]

I can see it all now - a military manned by foreign mercenaries and very few citizens. Hmm - Late Roman Empire.

Still, so long as the vast majority remained Americans so we do not repeat the mistake of the Romans, I would permit experience foreigners to join the US military.

[lightblue]

Hmm Pekka, this discussion sounds very Starship Trooperesque. Join the army and become a citizen, join the army and get your education paid for

[HershOstropoler]

Originally posted by GP


Let's see...you already speak a common language, American. You eat a common food, American. Watch a common TV. Play common computer games. Why don't you get over your silly pride and apply for admission. (You will just have to ditch the socialiszed medicine, accept guns for all, embrace death penalty, and watch John Wayne movies.)

Where are the times when you were a good troll....

[Sava]

It depends on your definition of peace. The US's nuclear arsenal does prevent any sort of massive ground war from breaking out. Unfortunately, in many areas, the US causes more problems than it fixes. Between 1963 and 1975, the US killed 4 million Asians. Since 1998, the US backed UN sanctions have killed an estimate 500,000 Iraqi's.

The US is definitely the biggest killer of peoples, but without its might, even bigger wars might break out. But, don't think this is a good thing. I'll use this analogy. In a room of violent criminals, the US is the one holding an assault rifle, keeping the inmates from killing each other. Peace at the threat of global destruction... sigh...

[TCO]

Originally posted by HershOstropoler


Where are the times when you were a good troll....

I was good AT trolling? Or a troll working for the FORCES of good?

[HershOstropoler]

Originally posted by GP

I was good AT trolling?

Well, everything is relative. Compared to your present performance....

[Bereta_Eder]

Antiamericanism in Europe is on the highest lever ever recorded and is rising. All the studies prove it. Search the net.
All because of people like Shi and Dinodoc

But it is rightly so.

[Sava]

You shouldn't give them that much credit paiktis...

[TCO]

I was hoping for the "troll working for the forces of good."

[Bereta_Eder]

It is!

[TCO]

Can I be included as a causer of Euro buttlock?

[Dr Strangelove]

Originally posted by Sava
Between 1963 and 1975, the US killed 4 million Asians.

That's nothing compared to the number they killed themselves, and it's also highly contestable.

Since 1998, the US backed UN sanctions have killed an estimate 500,000 Iraqi's.

Yes, asking that Saddam Hussein divert some of the resources used to build his dozen + palaces to feed his people and maintain Iraq's infrastructure is just plain genocide. Are you sure you don't mean 1992?

[Pekka]

Ned, yep, that's why I thought about people giving up their former citizenships before they could join.
Some other actions could be taken to make sure everything goes fine.

[Pekka]

and they can still keep making contracts with merc groups as outside help, but these would become US soldiers, mixed up with native US soldiers to avoid anything happening. Besides, some mercs just want to stay independent, and not come part of something bigger with more responsibility. Also they wouldnt' get so much money paid, so very few true mercs would be interested in a deal like this.

Also this could apply to only some safe countries first, to avoid people from rushing in if its food and up keep they only want. Also, if they are not valid for entering college/university, then they don't need education beneftis and are pretty much waste. Maybe they could stay in the army only. Make 20 year contract with them or something, and people who are valid entering higher education (people who have some school backround) could be the target. So you'd get fairly young, fit, fairly smart young men from safe countries who want to fight for virtually free.

edit: And these wouldn't be just a group of hoodloms, US gets to train them. They become soldiers in that army like the rest of them.

[DaShi]

Finland is the biggest threat.

[Kramerman]

Originally posted by Ned
I can see it all now - a military manned by foreign mercenaries and very few citizens. Hmm - Late Roman Empire.

Still, so long as the vast majority remained Americans so we do not repeat the mistake of the Romans, I would permit experience foreigners to join the US military.

Well, unlike Roman mercanaries, these soldiers would probably be very loyal to the US, as French Foreign Legionnaires are loyal to France, and British Ghurkas are loyal to GB. But you are right, if unchecked, this could be a problem.

Kman

[Pekka]

Well, I still don't see the problem... Terrorists are smart and they have all the resources. Now, anyone can get a green card and join the army even now. It is very likely that the terrorists operating in the US already are there, already have green cards, and maybe they have been in country for more than 5 years. They are not trying to get in now so much, they are pretty much set already.
And if they'd let only people from safer countries, danger diminishes, and if they let people in who have military training in safe country, well it's very unlikely he is a terrorist, since he's been already checked in that country.
And first they wouldn't get any access to places which could lead to security problems if sabotage was the game. At worst, someone could shoot few foreign troopers and then get killed himself. Doesn't sound worth the risk and work. What I'm saying is, that this system wouldn't be any more dangerous than it already is. It would bring positive image maybe, these people should NOT be thought as mercs, or crazy killers or anything like that. Just people who want to be soldiers and fight the enemy, now very few nationalities can do that now. It's not fair. Also new recruits would be checked if they're wanted by Interpol, so no serial killers would get in. Minor things could be looked over like small problems in youth, since these people are tough anyway, and not all angels. This wouldn't be a bunch of criminals getting action somewhere, it would be bunch of defenders of the US, ready to risk their lives over the US and fight the enemy without big salaries. These people would be good in the field, no nationalities, but common love for the new flag. These are great defendors, also very professional and motivated. And no mother are crying in the papers that their son got killed. Now that's a plus for public opinion too. I think these people would also deserve free burial place in the US if they get killed, and a box.

[Pekka]

And like I said before,this thing would not be attractive choice for mercenaries, because this is binding contract for years with not much money in it. They wouldn't want to fight for some other country for free, and not be able to get out when they feel like it.

This solves some problems in recruiting business. They don't need KFC or anything like that. Besides, many of them have training already, so they might have some special skills in the field, like for me example, I really don't mind winter fighting and conditions and I can teach few tricks too. Share of information (but not secret information that they have promised to keep secrets with their original countries, just small stuff) and skills, not in training phase, but in the field with other troopers. It's bound to happen anyway.. and that's a good thing.
And some of these people want citizenship, so they are loyal to the flag, and all of them should be motivated anyway. This thing should NOT be considered as wild mercenary groups, they'd be part of the US army.

edit: And how many illegal aliens there are already in the US, and crossing the border daily? How about making them fight for you. It's good for the economy too, and there's a big opportunity to turn these people into productive citizens afterwards.

[Az]

They don't need KFC or anything like that.

Kentuky Fried Chicken? WTF?

[TCO]

He meant PFC.

[Pekka]

Yeah, I heard they had to build KFC in the training center to get new recruits. I don't know, maybe it was just a joke..

[TCO]

You are too Americanized if you say things like KFC. Where is the quant old Europe I used to know?