Hank,

Of course the economy is a national interest. And yes, we do use our military to protect both the national interest and the interest of select multi-national corporations. I think we should not. Because we do, we have encouraged by subsidizing the development of the global economy at great cost, socially and economically to our domestic national interest. Like Todd posted, if the oil companies want security for their overseas business interests, let them hire it. This would reveal the actual cost of ME oil, and in and of itself provide incentive for US energy independence.

I do support national energy independence. You might be old enough to remember WA Senator Scoop Jackson, who as a result of the 1973 Arab oil embargo advocated national energy independence. He was one of the most powerful members of the Senate, and it seemed like there was a lot of momentum at the time to head down that path, as there have several times since then. Yet it never happens. Do you wonder why? I do, and I'm convinced that energy independence is not in the interest of the multi-national oil companies, and those companies have the clout to steer the federal gov't. in whatever direction they wish, which is to continue to import subsidized ME oil because it's more profitable for them than an energy independent US would be. What are your thought's on the matter?

T. Joad,

Pay attention and you'll see that I'm quite agreeable where logic and justice are the objectives.
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Interesting regarding military demographics. I was under the impression that the all-volunteer military over-represented the poor and minority demographic, just as it did during the draft.

Todd,

Why even egage with FnF? As KK would say, not a lot of mental furniture there.

Sg