permaculture

[Lee Flier <leeflier@comcast.net>]

 On 8/27/2010 5:51 AM, Patrick wrote:
> No, the military is a purely offensive
> force. When was the last time the United States was attacked by a
> foreign military (1941 and before that 1812)?

Exactly... why do you suppose that is?  Do you really think there aren't 
other countries who would love to take us over if they thought they 
could get away with it?

>   We need to figure out how
> to eventually rid ourselves of the institution altogether.

That'd be nice, but I don't see this happening in the foreseeable 
future.  The military's budget has already been cut and certain programs 
are being eliminated that are outdated and irrelevant... but we are 
going to need a military for a long time to come.  Wishing we didn't 
need one and working to get rid of it aren't going to change the current 
reality.

>   Please provide an example of civilian direction of the military. That's 
> news to me.


Seriously?

The entire military is directed by the Commander-In-Chief (the 
President), who is a civilian and is elected by the people.  War is 
declared and funded by Congress, who are civilians and who are elected 
by the people.  They're the ones who decide where to send our military 
and allocate the funds for them.  If you don't like what our military is 
doing, talk to them - don't blame the members of the organization for 
being willing and ready to give their lives for the rest of us if needed.
> Really no one should train military personnel to do aid work in occupied
>   countries. Did you read my earlier posts? My position is clear.
> Humanitarian interventionism is an ethically bankrupt concept.

So what should happen when a private aid organization goes to a country 
that is torn apart by sectarian violence, and that country's own 
military and police are either corrupt or inadequate to stop it?  To the 
point where the aid organizations can't do their work effectively?

None of these issues are as black and white as they appear, and in any 
case, as I say the troops ARE WHERE THEY ARE NOW. This is a completely 
separate issue from whether we would like them to be there or how to get 
them out of there.  Permaculture insists that we begin where we are now, 
and if permaculture training can prevent or repair any damage that 
otherwise would have occurred, the training is worthwhile.

Also, Scott is teaching the National Guard which generally is used for 
domestic defense.  In the event of any kind of national emergency, I'd 
much prefer that the Guard troops have some clue when they are doing 
environmental damage and take steps to avoid it.

Wastelands need permaculture much more than do pristine forests... same 
can be said for the "people care" aspect of permaculture...