HeloDude

When did this “dude from the right” stop being a supporter of the Green Party (hardly a right wing organization) and become a member of the right wing? Was it before or after he became a nudist in the Bay Area and a hemp jewelry maker? Doesn’t really sound like a hard “right wing” conservative militia type to me. “Listed years ago in voting records as a Green party supporter, DePape said he also took to the streets with activists who opposed a successful push to ban public nudity in San Francisco, the Chronicle also reported.” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/28/paul-pelosi-nancy-pelosi-attack-david-depape?fbclid=IwAR2A4USEQJm6RWCNU3DXdkedzmvofF39O_HZ-x7BGrI-kGMIe2gqjYaG8sE&fs=e&s=cl

Well, the left thinks diesel fuel is bad, so they must think this is a good thing.

Is that a remotely piloted aircraft? Asking for a friend.

Seriously now…these aren’t just gaffes. I truly think he doesn’t know what he is doing. My only question is how much worse does he get in the next 2+ years? ‘I Got It Passed by a Vote or Two’: Biden Falsely Claims Student-Debt ‘Forgiveness’ Passed Congress https://www.nationalreview.com/news/i-got-it-passed-by-a-vote-or-two-biden-falsely-claims-student-debt-forgiveness-passed-congress/?fbclid=IwAR0PcL_JLkZ4EMMbxR1lSpOUjxiM4uGyfgEQyZPXIfMAejc4pckVzv2RBGY

Not surprising when you know that the US government spies/steals info from its own citizens.

A left wing guy making fun of a Republican…never seen that before!

Not sure what your guys’ predictions are for the election in 2 weeks, but the betting sites over the last 1-2 weeks have the GOP winning the Senate. I’m still not quite sure but this is where people are putting their money. Thoughts? https://www.predictit.org

Brother, I always (well, 99.9% of the time lol) appreciate your insight and info.

Sure, but nothing that you said refuted my point in that they’re our largest trading partner (we’re their number importer, they’re our number one importer and our number 3 exporter) and that the one of the big reasons they were able to grow so strongly militarily over the last 20+ years was because of their economic growth, again largely fueled by our economic trade. So if they were so much of a threat, we did a poor job mitigating that threat by growing their economy, and in turn, their military. But sure, let’s make a big deal about a small amount of UK pilots training their pilots and say that’s the reason their military is stronger than it needs to be/should be. As far as what happens to their economy in the near future, time will tell…God knows our economic outlook is not looking too great either, and according to Biden, Europe is in bad shape (and supposedly “we’re wrong as hell”). And as for their negative economy affecting us, again, that’s what I’ve been saying—we’re so economically in bed with each other that it’s not even funny. Ummm, not sure where I said I view an attack on Taiwan as an attack on the US? Maybe I did? If so, I’ll try and clarify—I do not want to go to war with China over Taiwan. Nor do I think it’s the responsibility of the American taxpayer to fund such a war or sacrifice American lives either. As for the treaty, well, it wouldn’t be the first time we broke an agreement/treaty. Promising their security was bad policy then and it’s bad policy now. If the left thinks our economy now is bad because of Russia, just think what would happen if we ceased trade to do a war with China. You guys do know what I’m a libertarian, right? lol

“We” as in the American people…everything I have been commenting on is wrt the American people, not as military members. Because that is who ultimately matters when discussing policies with China. And you’re mentioning bad leadership as one of the main causes of failure in Afghanistan but yet you are citing opinions of the same leadership on the threat China imposes/what to do about China.

We probably share very similar opinions on China. I’m just of the opinion that we would ever get militarily involved with China, unless of course they physically attacked us, which is very doubtful. As for those who are upset that China is becoming so powerful that they can push nearby countries around and thinking we can do something substantial to stop it…that ship has sailed. We strengthened their economy (which has allowed them to grow militarily) in order to strengthen ours, and now we’re concerned.

Create “uncomfortable” implications? Have you seen our country lately? Do you actually think a majority of Americans are going to support actions leading to all the economic hardships (to say the least) that would come with a war with China? For what—them invading Taiwan? For the record, I’m not saying that if China didn’t attack the mainland US or one of our bases overseas that this just change the ball game, but who here actually thinks that will happen in the near/mid future? By the way…we didn’t even have the resolve to defeat the Taliban.

Dude, you can’t possibly use examples from the Revolutionary war and WW1/2 to say they would apply the same as today. If that’s the case, then I seriously hope you’re the one who is trolling. Look past your military experience and take a look at the US today—we’re not even the same country we were 20+ years ago. Our current president is literally saying our inflation/energy problem is due to Russia invading Ukraine. Just think what would happen if all trade with China suddenly stopped…and tell me what the American response would be.

Has the US or UK made it illegal for an American veteran to go train with the Chinese military? If not, then why not if they’re our enemy? And I’m pretty sure it’s illegal to disclose classified information even after you’ve separated/retired. So in that case, that’s wrong whether they’re sharing that info with the Chinese or the UAE pilots. If you guys are upset that a couple hundred pilots are training Chinese pilots but not upset that our economy is so intertwined with China then perhaps I can make an analogy that might make more sense: This is the same as being concerned that a fentanyl/heroin/cocaine addict smokes a few cigarettes a day but not being concerned about the hard drugs he is using. The few cigarettes a day that he smokes isn’t good, but that’s not the larger issue here.

Let me know when we stop being their largest trading partner.

Ummm, perhaps because the economic piece is a vastly bigger deal than some pilots going over there to train some Chinese pilots. If we’re so worried about China taking over the world then why are we improving their economy via trade which allows their military to grow/improve? Stop trying to think just as a military member and look at it from all different angles.

Ummm, no. I’m telling you my opinion…which isn’t very different than the opinion of our elected leaders, at least the opinion they publicly share. And if you’re comparing procuring metal from the USSR for a spy aircraft vs economic trade with our greatest trading partner (for imports, they’re number 3 for exports), then we can’t have a legitimate argument. Have you ever thought what would happen if trade with China suddenly stopped? We’re so in bed with them that it’s not even funny. So tell me—when is it going to stop? Again, I don’t like China, and am not a fan of buying stuff made over there, but I don’t lose any sleep over it either.

Bingo If you don’t like China (I don’t), then don’t fly for them. But I would never call someone a traitor for doing so.

PACAF CC doesn’t set policy towards China. Again, if they’re so dangerous to our interests, then we need to stop being a major part of their economy. China isn’t an ally, and they aren’t an enemy. They’re a major power player on the other side of the globe, and they’re trying to influence things around them. It’s not the first time this has happened with a different country, and it won’t be the last. If they are infringing on my liberties here in the US, then I care…otherwise, I don’t like them, but I don’t want to go to war with them. And yes, I’ll buy stuff made in their country and at most just be annoyed that it was made there vs a non-communist country. But at the end of the day…we have much bigger problems with what’s going on internally in our country before I need to worry about what’s happening half a globe away.

We average Americans have all the control…we just choose not to (or are too weak) to exercise the control. If average Americans said they wouldn’t buy Apple products made in China, I’m sure that would make Apple at least think twice to where they make their products. I wouldn’t want to live in China and train their pilots, but I wouldn’t want to do the same with Vietnamese pilots, Indian pilots, Brazilian pilots, French pilots, etc. I’ve trained pilots in Iraq (along with plenty of other “allied” nations’ pilots here in the US) so I’m good in that arena. For the record, I’m not personally a fan of China/CCP and I don’t think they’re up to much good, but yet I’m not wanting to go to war with them…to protect Taiwan, Japan, or anyone else an ocean away. The vast majority of Americans would not want us to stop trading with China, much less go to war with them. But yet you’re telling me that China is the enemy of the US? Says who?

You said you were forced to buy products made in China…I simply asked what products, who is forcing you, and how are they forcing you? If you’re just bummed that things you really want to have are only made in China (or less affordable elsewhere), then sure, I’ll give you that…but that’s not what you said. I’m not a personal fan of buying things made in China, but I don’t care enough (or think they’re my enemy) to not do so. If you’re going to call someone your enemy but continue to enrich them, then I question your sincerity.

Who exactly determines who is the enemy of the US? And why would you voluntarily trade with your enemy if it strengthens them?

You can call someone anything you want…it just doesn’t make it so. And you are not “forced” to buy products made in China lol. If so, please tell me which products, who forced you, and how did they force you, exactly.

The military doesn’t determine who our enemy is with regards to X country vs Y country. Politicians do. Let me guess…you also buy products made in China. And yes, unless you can find a way for me to retire tonight (I’m interested) then I’m still in the military.