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Ask a Vet - A Thought Exercise
Author: TriSec
Date: 10/24/2017 09:52:10
Good Morning.
This country could have many "Independence Days".
Of course the most popular is July 4, which is the date the Declaration was ratified. But we could also use July 2, which is the date it was approved by the Continental Congress, or August 2, when most of the delegates actually signed it.
But there's also the Constitution. For our first decade or so, we operated under the "Articles of Confederation", which weren't the most efficient way of doing things. A Constitutional Convention took place in 1787, which in turn led to the final draft being approved on September 17 of that year. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire ratified the document and it became official.
But we didn't start the new government until March 4, 1789 - the first session of Congress under the new rules.
But that's all political. I'm looking at the Veteran's side of the ledger. Again, many days could be used for America's First War, but you know where I'm sitting. We'll be using April 19, 1775, the location mere miles from here at Lexington and Concord.
The United States didn't come into being on that morning by the Rude Bridge, but that is when citizens first took up arms in the name of self-rule.
I have often pondered how much of our existence has been spent at war. Counting from that April morning, it has been 242 years since those first shots were fired.
The United States has a long and varied military history - some of it necessary, but most of it not. As it turns out, much of the fighting the United States has participated in has been suppression of natives. Look at the litany of battles throughout the Trail of Tears.
I did some math the other day, using this convenient timeline from the Wiki. Looking over the centuries of our existence, if I found a year without any military action listed, I counted that as "peace". If there was even a single battle in any year listed, I counted that as a "war year". (Of course my logic may be flawed).
The results are astonishing:
Counting from April 18, 1775 at Lexington and Concord
1784
1796-1797
1806-1810
1819-1823
1824
1828-1831
1833-1834
1843-1845
1903-1910
1935-1941
1946-1949
1954
1976-1982
1984-1988
1996-1998
1999-2000
60 years with no war.
242 years since first shots fired at Lexington
24% of nation’s existence at peace.
76% at war.
I'm not entirely sure this is what the Founding Fathers intended.
This country could have many "Independence Days".
Of course the most popular is July 4, which is the date the Declaration was ratified. But we could also use July 2, which is the date it was approved by the Continental Congress, or August 2, when most of the delegates actually signed it.
But there's also the Constitution. For our first decade or so, we operated under the "Articles of Confederation", which weren't the most efficient way of doing things. A Constitutional Convention took place in 1787, which in turn led to the final draft being approved on September 17 of that year. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire ratified the document and it became official.
But we didn't start the new government until March 4, 1789 - the first session of Congress under the new rules.
But that's all political. I'm looking at the Veteran's side of the ledger. Again, many days could be used for America's First War, but you know where I'm sitting. We'll be using April 19, 1775, the location mere miles from here at Lexington and Concord.
The United States didn't come into being on that morning by the Rude Bridge, but that is when citizens first took up arms in the name of self-rule.
I have often pondered how much of our existence has been spent at war. Counting from that April morning, it has been 242 years since those first shots were fired.
The United States has a long and varied military history - some of it necessary, but most of it not. As it turns out, much of the fighting the United States has participated in has been suppression of natives. Look at the litany of battles throughout the Trail of Tears.
I did some math the other day, using this convenient timeline from the Wiki. Looking over the centuries of our existence, if I found a year without any military action listed, I counted that as "peace". If there was even a single battle in any year listed, I counted that as a "war year". (Of course my logic may be flawed).
The results are astonishing:
Counting from April 18, 1775 at Lexington and Concord
1784
1796-1797
1806-1810
1819-1823
1824
1828-1831
1833-1834
1843-1845
1903-1910
1935-1941
1946-1949
1954
1976-1982
1984-1988
1996-1998
1999-2000
60 years with no war.
242 years since first shots fired at Lexington
24% of nation’s existence at peace.
76% at war.
I'm not entirely sure this is what the Founding Fathers intended.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 10/24/2017 13:19:12
Mondobubba on 10/24/2017 13:19:12
KO is not having any of Sarah Huckee Sanders or John Kelly's shenanigans.
Comment by 
Scoopster on 10/24/2017 13:21:31
Scoopster on 10/24/2017 13:21:31
Mornin' all! 
Some bonus stuffs today from the Military Times: They're not buying
's shitshow either, tho there's a big difference between enlisted support of the CIC and officers.
Also, they see the danger of white nationalists among the ranks.
Some bonus stuffs today from the Military Times: They're not buying
's shitshow either, tho there's a big difference between enlisted support of the CIC and officers.Also, they see the danger of white nationalists among the ranks.
Comment by 
Raine on 10/24/2017 13:27:07
Raine on 10/24/2017 13:27:07
That is pretty depressing, to be honest.
72 of those years we have been a nuclear nation.
Good Morning.
72 of those years we have been a nuclear nation.
Good Morning.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 10/24/2017 13:33:47
wickedpam on 10/24/2017 13:33:47
Morning 
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/24/2017 13:47:02
Mondobubba on 10/24/2017 13:47:02
How are we defining "war" here? By military actions? Actual declarations of war (including authorizations of the use of military power)?
Comment by Scoopster on 10/24/2017 13:50:30
Scoopster on 10/24/2017 13:50:30
Asked for his position on CSR deal, @JohnCornyn responds: “I’m with the president.†I asked where Trump is and Cornyn throws hands in air
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) October 23, 2017
Comment by 
BobR on 10/24/2017 14:20:12
"I'm with the president - lost and clueless"
BobR on 10/24/2017 14:20:12
Quote by Scoopster:
Asked for his position on CSR deal, @JohnCornyn responds: “I’m with the president.†I asked where Trump is and Cornyn throws hands in air
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) October 23, 2017
"I'm with the president - lost and clueless"
Comment by BobR on 10/24/2017 14:20:32
BobR on 10/24/2017 14:20:32
This woman wearing a tablecloth had things to say about Rep. Wilson's hat. pic.twitter.com/HQvtc2kywj
— HawaiiDelilah (@HawaiiDelilah) October 23, 2017
Comment by Scoopster on 10/24/2017 14:25:06
Scoopster on 10/24/2017 14:25:06
Hey, I'll give her credit. Someone taught her how to sew & recycle fabrics.
Too bad someone didn't teach her not to be a fascist stooge.
Too bad someone didn't teach her not to be a fascist stooge.
Comment by Scoopster on 10/24/2017 14:28:24
Scoopster on 10/24/2017 14:28:24
Hmmm.. Devin Nunes has a presser scheduled at 11:45.
Comment by Raine on 10/24/2017 14:31:43
That is the most undeliteful woman I have ever experienced.
Raine on 10/24/2017 14:31:43
Quote by BobR:This woman wearing a tablecloth had things to say about Rep. Wilson's hat. pic.twitter.com/HQvtc2kywj
— HawaiiDelilah (@HawaiiDelilah) October 23, 2017
That is the most undeliteful woman I have ever experienced.
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/24/2017 14:33:24
Mondobubba on 10/24/2017 14:33:24
So, Putin, I mean Russia, has accused William Browder of murdering his lawyer, Sergei L. Magnitsky. I don't know wether to laugh or cry.
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/24/2017 14:33:52
She has zero chill.
Mondobubba on 10/24/2017 14:33:52
Quote by Raine:Quote by BobR:This woman wearing a tablecloth had things to say about Rep. Wilson's hat. pic.twitter.com/HQvtc2kywj
— HawaiiDelilah (@HawaiiDelilah) October 23, 2017
That is the most undeliteful woman I have ever experienced.
She has zero chill.
Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2017 14:37:36
I get that plus size clothes are something a bit maternally but jeez she needs to loosen up - I've never seen a more sour person.
wickedpam on 10/24/2017 14:37:36
Quote by BobR:This woman wearing a tablecloth had things to say about Rep. Wilson's hat. pic.twitter.com/HQvtc2kywj
— HawaiiDelilah (@HawaiiDelilah) October 23, 2017
I get that plus size clothes are something a bit maternally but jeez she needs to loosen up - I've never seen a more sour person.
Comment by Scoopster on 10/24/2017 14:40:09
Scoopster on 10/24/2017 14:40:09
Comment by Raine on 10/24/2017 15:36:38
Exactly!
(GwinnyBee has great stuff)
Raine on 10/24/2017 15:36:38
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:This woman wearing a tablecloth had things to say about Rep. Wilson's hat. pic.twitter.com/HQvtc2kywj
— HawaiiDelilah (@HawaiiDelilah) October 23, 2017
I get that plus size clothes are something a bit maternally but jeez she needs to loosen up - I've never seen a more sour person.
(GwinnyBee has great stuff)
Comment by Raine on 10/24/2017 15:37:00
Raine on 10/24/2017 15:37:00
That smells of fresh bullshit.
Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2017 15:43:39
I've not tried them
wickedpam on 10/24/2017 15:43:39
Quote by Raine:Exactly!Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:This woman wearing a tablecloth had things to say about Rep. Wilson's hat. pic.twitter.com/HQvtc2kywj
— HawaiiDelilah (@HawaiiDelilah) October 23, 2017
I get that plus size clothes are something a bit maternally but jeez she needs to loosen up - I've never seen a more sour person.
(GwinnyBee has great stuff)
I've not tried them
Comment by Raine on 10/24/2017 15:45:13
Raine on 10/24/2017 15:45:13
GLORE EEE US!
CORKER UNLOADS: He would NOT support Trump again; says Trump NOT a role model; won't say if he trusts Trump w nukes https://t.co/oAGIWVZ8P9
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 24, 2017
Comment by Scoopster on 10/24/2017 15:49:23
Scoopster on 10/24/2017 15:49:23
Heh.. looks like Kid Rock has no interest in running for Senate in Michigan. Or at least that's what he told Howard Stern.
Comment by Raine on 10/24/2017 15:51:35
This just happened a few moments ago:
Raine on 10/24/2017 15:51:35
Quote by Raine:
GLORE EEE US!CORKER UNLOADS: He would NOT support Trump again; says Trump NOT a role model; won't say if he trusts Trump w nukes https://t.co/oAGIWVZ8P9
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 24, 2017
This just happened a few moments ago:
Rep. Adam Kinzinger: Many Republicans agree "the President needs to lay off some of the emotion on twitter" https://t.co/uY831qOpv3
— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) October 24, 2017
Comment by Raine on 10/24/2017 15:51:57
he's a schister.
Raine on 10/24/2017 15:51:57
Quote by Scoopster:
Heh.. looks like Kid Rock has no interest in running for Senate in Michigan. Or at least that's what he told Howard Stern.
he's a schister.
Comment by BobR on 10/24/2017 15:52:05
BobR on 10/24/2017 15:52:05
Comment by Raine on 10/24/2017 15:58:44
This seems related somehow. Zinke is looking dirtier and Dirtier.
Raine on 10/24/2017 15:58:44
This seems related somehow. Zinke is looking dirtier and Dirtier.
Beneficiaries of Zinke’s largesse include groups linked to Washington-area political operative Scott B. Mackenzie, organizer of a Virgin Islands GOP political action committee that hosted the secretary at a St. Croix fundraiser in March. Before that, when Zinke was a Republican congressman from Montana, his political operation steered significant portions of its spending to a handful of Washington, D.C.-area consulting firms that also have had ties to Mackenzie and his associates.
Zinke has continued this relationship even as other Republicans have recoiled from dealing with Mackenzie, whose critics say he operates "scam PACs" that raise small-dollar donations from conservative voters but then spend the bulk of the money on consultants and overhead. The critics include former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who filed a suit accusing Mackenzie and other defendants of running a “national fundraising scam†after they gave his 2013 campaign for governor less than a half percent of the money they had raised in his name.
Comment by Scoopster on 10/24/2017 16:05:34
Oh meh, he just wanted to say that he's going on another witch hunt into HRC to waste our tax dollars.
Scoopster on 10/24/2017 16:05:34
Quote by Scoopster:
Hmmm.. Devin Nunes has a presser scheduled at 11:45.
Oh meh, he just wanted to say that he's going on another witch hunt into HRC to waste our tax dollars.
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/24/2017 16:12:14
Yup, Louie Gohmert just posted the press release on his Facebook page. My response was why are you wasting my money?
Mondobubba on 10/24/2017 16:12:14
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Scoopster:
Hmmm.. Devin Nunes has a presser scheduled at 11:45.
Oh meh, he just wanted to say that he's going on another witch hunt into HRC to waste our tax dollars.
Yup, Louie Gohmert just posted the press release on his Facebook page. My response was why are you wasting my money?
Comment by Raine on 10/24/2017 17:27:50
Raine on 10/24/2017 17:27:50
Protester yells at Trump, throws Russian flags: "This president conspired with agents of the Russian government to steal an election." pic.twitter.com/yHCHlcX6im
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 24, 2017
Comment by Raine on 10/24/2017 17:30:55
Raine on 10/24/2017 17:30:55
Quote by Raine:Protester yells at Trump, throws Russian flags: "This president conspired with agents of the Russian government to steal an election." pic.twitter.com/yHCHlcX6im
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 24, 2017
Trump arrives at Capitol; protester — identified as Ryan Clayton from Americans Take Action — infiltrates press pool shouts ‘TRUMP IS TREASON’ pic.twitter.com/eBsfHwXza0
— Nash Jenkins (@pnashjenkins) October 24, 2017
Comment by Raine on 10/24/2017 17:34:52
Raine on 10/24/2017 17:34:52
Protester tosses Russian flags at Pres. Trump as he arrives at Senate GOP luncheon, yelling "Trump is treason!" pic.twitter.com/tozCgnryCy
— ABC News (@ABC) October 24, 2017
Comment by Scoopster on 10/24/2017 17:35:50
Scoopster on 10/24/2017 17:35:50
Comment by Scoopster on 10/24/2017 17:40:49
Scoopster on 10/24/2017 17:40:49
Comment by Raine on 10/24/2017 17:48:33
This is the kind of shit that is so damn unneccesary.
Raine on 10/24/2017 17:48:33
Quote by Scoopster:
JFC... this erasing anything Obama did shit has to stop.
This is the kind of shit that is so damn unneccesary.
Comment by wickedpam on 10/24/2017 17:48:50
Gee I can't imagine why I cry a couple of times a week since the election still. This honestly feels like ongoing mental abuse to every person that supported Obama.
wickedpam on 10/24/2017 17:48:50
Quote by Scoopster:
JFC... this erasing anything Obama did shit has to stop.
Gee I can't imagine why I cry a couple of times a week since the election still. This honestly feels like ongoing mental abuse to every person that supported Obama.
Comment by Scoopster on 10/24/2017 18:19:04
Scoopster on 10/24/2017 18:19:04
Heh.. looks like vets sickened by John Kelly's defense of a traitor who attacks gold star families are now referring to him as a Blue Falcon.
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/24/2017 18:33:12
This guy is my hero for today.
Mondobubba on 10/24/2017 18:33:12
Quote by Raine:Protester tosses Russian flags at Pres. Trump as he arrives at Senate GOP luncheon, yelling "Trump is treason!" pic.twitter.com/tozCgnryCy
— ABC News (@ABC) October 24, 2017
This guy is my hero for today.
Comment by Scoopster on 10/24/2017 19:03:15
Scoopster on 10/24/2017 19:03:15
WOWOWOWOW... per MSNBC Jeff Flake just announced he's not seeking re-election, cites as the reason
Edit: Linky to story (AZ local news site)
as the reasonEdit: Linky to story (AZ local news site)
Comment by Raine on 10/24/2017 19:29:01
HE just tore the entire Republican party a new asshole on the senate floor.
HOLEEE CRAP!
Raine on 10/24/2017 19:29:01
Quote by Scoopster:
WOWOWOWOW... per MSNBC Jeff Flake just announced he's not seeking re-election, cites
Edit: Linky to story (AZ local news site)
HE just tore the entire Republican party a new asshole on the senate floor.
HOLEEE CRAP!
Comment by Scoopster on 10/24/2017 20:06:45
Scoopster on 10/24/2017 20:06:45
Comment by Raine on 10/24/2017 20:38:16
Raine on 10/24/2017 20:38:16
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
WOWOWOWOW... per MSNBC Jeff Flake just announced he's not seeking re-election, cites
Edit: Linky to story (AZ local news site)
HE just tore the entire Republican party a new asshole on the senate floor.
HOLEEE CRAP!