Base Closures - another perspective

[Stinky The Clown]

Here's another way to look at the base closure and, in particular, base consolidation plans. A view far more sinister than simply the economic impact .... or even the potential to cause some gaps in our national security.

Mind control.

Now before you call the guys in the white suits, hear me out.

In times past, we had some pretty small military bases. A few thousand military, plus their dependants. For many of them, they bought houses on the open market and more or less integrated into the community. Sure they kept a fairly tight social circle. They were, after all, career military and in many ways nomadic. But they *did* have to interact with the community. The community influenced them ... and they influenced the community. While their views may have been somewhat insular, they weren't exposed to only military families and only military life. They mingled with ordinary folks. In many ways, just like any civillian company nomad. And they were free to draw conclusions and form points of view from this exposure and interaction.

Now let's think about megabases. They will overwhelm their host area. The influence of local culture will be reduced ..... or even eliminated, replaced by one point of view ... one mentality. It will be increasingly difficult to avoid group think. Even dependents will be steeped in life in a company town. No cultural diversity. Sameness. One view. Insular. Parochial. No outside influences. Monastic, almost.

Say what you will about the military, they're not all bushbots. At least not yet.

So .... Bush and Rummy create these superbases ..... where? In 'liberal' blue states like Connecticut and Maine and :::shudder::: Massachussetts?

Nope. Florida. Texas. Georgia. Arizona.

These superbases will become single economy, closed society, groupthinking company towns. Bushvilles.

**This** ....... scares the shit out of me.

[Just Me]

1. I think they are accomplishing at least three goals:

1) Diverting attention from the new nuclear arms profiteering;

2) Targeting moderates (including those within their own party) as a bargaining chip;

3) Redirecting militia to the M.E.;

and I might add

4) Imposing additional insecurity upon the populace.

[BR_Parkway]

2. Here's a simpler theory. ShrubCo's base is going to wake up to the

reality of lies, deception and how badly they've been screwed. His base is also pretty heavily armed. When the shit hits the fan, where would you want the troops if you wanted to cover your own butt? Right in the middle of the people you screwed the most.

[Bluebear]

3. And the vacant bases can be used as Liberal camps!

I already see the new word for us is "libsurgents" amongst the RWers.

[kliljedahl]

4. No, it's simpler than that

We won't need them because our troops are all going to be overseas for years exporting Demokkkracy and Freedumbs.

Example, although they seem to have missed the point so far: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3658143



Keith’s Barbeque Central

[FreedomAngel82]

5. Interesting theory

I wouldn't be too surprised.

[DemBones DemBones]

6. Another problem with today's military is that it is all volunteer.

When most men did two years or more of military service, it gave a lot more diversity to the military. The experience of meeting people from vastly different backgrounds also changed the men who served (and their families, if they had them) and I think the changes were mostly positive.

I'm speaking from the perspective of having grown up in a military family.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. As a very broad statement, I'd have to say that the adult 'military brats'

I have met have been a pretty tolerant, well adjusted group. I have no doubt that scientific study would temper that, but that's my general sense of them.