we have the Irish ferry and a couple of pleasure boats now but one time !! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30128199
I've always thought the US armed forces were way too large. We don't need so many armed people and we certainly don't need them at bases in Germany or Japan. Having such huge military forces only means they become an option when diplomacy doesn't go someone's way. It's armed blackmail on a national scale and it needs to end. We call it the "Defense Department" when it is clearly armed primarily for offense. The US also treats military personnel like shit. They are virtual government slaves held by their honor and a dubious "contract" (a soldier can lose an advanced training seat for failing to properly make a bed). The government attempted to rebuild racial walls by requiring a high school diploma for military service. That didn't work and we finally have most of the haters out of the military. But, doesn't it stand to reason the military SHOULD be comprised of "haters"? Otherwise, what use are they? Unless, it really is just about posturing.
