Good article, Steve. Like it or not, our allies are economic rivals who rely on the USA for military protection. That protection is becoming more difficult fund. In 2023 the military budget was less that 14% of the national total. It's only fair that the USA receive significant consideration from allied nations even if means something more like breaking even rather than a total win for Donald Trump. I do believe their feelings are hurt by Trump's negotiating positions.
Regarding the school shooting in Madison, it's inexcusable if a 15-year-old got what is probably a a 9mm pistol with a 10-round magazine from her parents. It might be even more disturbing if she got it from another source. That would mean several more generations beyond yours would be facing this same problem. The girl was obviously very disturbed. I found the following from Jeff Charles writing in Townhall.
" In the document, Rupnow expresses contempt for her parents and humanity as a whole."
"I hate seeing people on a daily basis, just being so sensitive. Gives me one more reason to take off my glasses.
The human scum is color, and the way people are raised. I’ve grown around people who do not care or give one single care in the world and smoke their lungs out with weed or drink as much as they can like my own father.
I’ve grown to hate people, and society, it’s truly not my fault though, it never was. But all of you and the world have done to me is pick and tease me, you’ve pushed me into a corner with no help whatsoever.
Humanity is filth and I don’t like filth nor want to live in it nor should anyone else, and I know it follows me and how it has followed me and will follow everyone because of how the world is run."
Good article, Steve. Like it or not, our allies are economic rivals who rely on the USA for military protection. That protection is becoming more difficult fund. In 2023 the military budget was less that 14% of the national total. It's only fair that the USA receive significant consideration from allied nations even if means something more like breaking even rather than a total win for Donald Trump. I do believe their feelings are hurt by Trump's negotiating positions.
Regarding the school shooting in Madison, it's inexcusable if a 15-year-old got what is probably a a 9mm pistol with a 10-round magazine from her parents. It might be even more disturbing if she got it from another source. That would mean several more generations beyond yours would be facing this same problem. The girl was obviously very disturbed. I found the following from Jeff Charles writing in Townhall.
" In the document, Rupnow expresses contempt for her parents and humanity as a whole."
"I hate seeing people on a daily basis, just being so sensitive. Gives me one more reason to take off my glasses.
The human scum is color, and the way people are raised. I’ve grown around people who do not care or give one single care in the world and smoke their lungs out with weed or drink as much as they can like my own father.
I’ve grown to hate people, and society, it’s truly not my fault though, it never was. But all of you and the world have done to me is pick and tease me, you’ve pushed me into a corner with no help whatsoever.
Humanity is filth and I don’t like filth nor want to live in it nor should anyone else, and I know it follows me and how it has followed me and will follow everyone because of how the world is run."
13.3% for 2023, which is below the average of 15%
More importantly, were at 2.7% of GDP: which is very low: https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Photos/igphoto/2002099941/
And yes, geopolitics involves avoiding pissing off your allies as much as possible - and to want others to be your ally too.