> But oh well, this isn't the real forum for political debate, unless of
> course, we use these real world observations and apply them to scenarios
> we can play out 8-)
Wise words, my friend. I transgressed their spirit a bit by using a couple
of capitalized nouns, with the intent of then beating a prudent
withdrawal, which I will now observe.
Navy (I see no need to specify whose, there is only one, plus the eternal
RN) never reached 600, has been below 400 since 1993, and below 300 since
2003. (Note that counting "battle force" ships is a bit of a game, but
statistics always wander around). It's money, the continued unending
spiral of dollars per pound of aircraft, ships, and lifetime costs of
personnel. There was a short story in Analog magazine when I was in high
school, something like "The Short History of World War 78." The idea is
that by then each nation can only afford one weapons system, and "world
wars" are fought out medieval champion style between each nation's sole
weapon to resolve disputes. At the time I thought it was a joke. Now I am
convinced that it is going to be true.
> Is anyone truly surprised that this event followed immediately on the
> Heels
> of our erstwhile leaders decision to effectively mothball US forces as an
> effective deterrent force? Our army to be reduced to pre WW2 levels after
> the Marines and Air Force have already been downsized. And now our Navy to
> be Gutted? Cut down from 600+ ships to ~300? And Obama was quoted in
> conversation with Medvedev in 2012 as saying "..... I will have more
> flexibility on that AFTER I am re-elected." Sort of goes hand in hand
> with
> our missle reductions too doesn't it.
> But oh well, this isn't the real forum for political debate, unless of
> course, we use these real world observations and apply them to scenarios
> we
> can play out 8-)
> Reminds me of a 'high level' traveler episode I ran where
> traveller political realities were the actual topics of the game. some
> sessions had to stop when everyone began realizing that current events
> where such fertile grounds for Imperial(ism) expansion.
> Imagine a navy Baron/Knight in charge of an exploration ship encountering
> a
> space level tech society who is expansionist in its own right. what is the
> Moral Philosophy of the people vs the motivations of the leadership? in
> this campaign the people were friendly, open and tolerant. The Leadership
> came off that way too. but after being in system for a couple months, the
> PCs began to realize that the Leaders of the system were effectively
> leading the populace on for personal gain.
> which lead me to a surprising revelation, the more open the civilization,
> the more easily it can be 'lead'. an overwhelmed/oppressed society, is
> naturally more paranoid, resentful and suspicious of all things leaders
> represent.
>
> --
> "Christmas is a time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay
> for
> it. Deficits are when adults tell the government what they want and their
> kids pay for it."
>
> course, we use these real world observations and apply them to scenarios
> we can play out 8-)
Wise words, my friend. I transgressed their spirit a bit by using a couple
of capitalized nouns, with the intent of then beating a prudent
withdrawal, which I will now observe.
Navy (I see no need to specify whose, there is only one, plus the eternal
RN) never reached 600, has been below 400 since 1993, and below 300 since
2003. (Note that counting "battle force" ships is a bit of a game, but
statistics always wander around). It's money, the continued unending
spiral of dollars per pound of aircraft, ships, and lifetime costs of
personnel. There was a short story in Analog magazine when I was in high
school, something like "The Short History of World War 78." The idea is
that by then each nation can only afford one weapons system, and "world
wars" are fought out medieval champion style between each nation's sole
weapon to resolve disputes. At the time I thought it was a joke. Now I am
convinced that it is going to be true.
> Is anyone truly surprised that this event followed immediately on the
> Heels
> of our erstwhile leaders decision to effectively mothball US forces as an
> effective deterrent force? Our army to be reduced to pre WW2 levels after
> the Marines and Air Force have already been downsized. And now our Navy to
> be Gutted? Cut down from 600+ ships to ~300? And Obama was quoted in
> conversation with Medvedev in 2012 as saying "..... I will have more
> flexibility on that AFTER I am re-elected." Sort of goes hand in hand
> with
> our missle reductions too doesn't it.
> But oh well, this isn't the real forum for political debate, unless of
> course, we use these real world observations and apply them to scenarios
> we
> can play out 8-)
> Reminds me of a 'high level' traveler episode I ran where
> traveller political realities were the actual topics of the game. some
> sessions had to stop when everyone began realizing that current events
> where such fertile grounds for Imperial(ism) expansion.
> Imagine a navy Baron/Knight in charge of an exploration ship encountering
> a
> space level tech society who is expansionist in its own right. what is the
> Moral Philosophy of the people vs the motivations of the leadership? in
> this campaign the people were friendly, open and tolerant. The Leadership
> came off that way too. but after being in system for a couple months, the
> PCs began to realize that the Leaders of the system were effectively
> leading the populace on for personal gain.
> which lead me to a surprising revelation, the more open the civilization,
> the more easily it can be 'lead'. an overwhelmed/oppressed society, is
> naturally more paranoid, resentful and suspicious of all things leaders
> represent.
>
> --
> "Christmas is a time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay
> for
> it. Deficits are when adults tell the government what they want and their
> kids pay for it."
>