The John Adams Society |
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Mark S. Sanquist
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Michael Katch
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G. Larry Colson, Jr.
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Susan Smith
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March 2011
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
- Pres. Dwight D Eisenhower, 1961
WE CURRENTLY MAINTAIN OVER 1,000 MILITARY BASES around the world, with approximately 230 golf courses, at a cost to our national budget of approximately $1 Trillion over ten years. Our nation’s military spending currently equals 119% of the military spending of all other nations combined, at a time when our currency is under pressure and our budget deficits are exploding. After the end of the cold war and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, this massive military infrastructure is no longer warranted.
Furthermore, our installations on Okinawa cause great angst in the local population, who wish us to leave. The presence of U. S. military forces in Japan and other foreign nations is about as welcome as Chinese military bases in Mexico or Canada would be to us.
ON THE OTHER HAND, if we close our foreign military bases we will create both a power vacuum and the impression that we are abandoning our allies. This will encourage would-be conquerors around the world. When the inevitable crises occur, it will take us weeks or months to mobilize and deploy enough resources to combat the threats to our safety and to global stability.
THE CHAIRMAN, unable to find Kyrgyzstan on a map, and worried about his investment in Blackwater stock, has called a debate to settle the question:
RESOLVED: Close Our Overseas Bases!
The Debate will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o'clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. While there is no dress code for attendance, gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies should adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen who arrive tieless yet wish to speak, fret not: the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand at least one of his quite remarkable ties for just such an eventuality. Questions about debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (952) 887-2553 or the Secretary at (612) 310-1582.