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In Defense of Bayonets & Horses! 5 Problems With The President’s Zinger Last Night

Oct. 23, 2012 11:36am Benny Johnson

Last night, one of the most searched terms according to Yahoo was “horses and bayonets.” That’s because President Obama used the phrase to bash Mitt Romney’s attack concerning the depleted state and shrinking American military might. Obama said:

“Governor, we also have fewer horses and bayonets because the nature of our military’s changed. We have these things called aircraft carriers where planes land on them. We have these ships that go underwater, nuclear submarines. And so the question is not a game of Battleship where we’re counting ships. It’s — it’s what are our capabilities.”

So is the “horses and bayonets” line true? We decided to do a quick fact check. And unfortunately for the president, here’s what we found:

1. There are big plans to cut the military budget, including cuts to the Navy — and the number of Navy ships has been declining

In Defense of Bayonets & Horses! 5 Problems With The Presidents Zinger Last Night

Photo Credit: US Navy

According to Politifact [emphasis added]:

In January 2010, Heritage published a report titled, “The State of the U.S. Military.” Citing data from the Naval History and Heritage Command, a part of the Defense Department, the report said that “the U.S. Navy’s fleet today contains the smallest number of ships since 1916. The total number of active ships in the Navy declined from 592 to 283 between 1989 and 2009.”

We looked up the original data, and the Heritage report does reflect the trend line correctly (though Romney said 1917 rather than 1916, something we won’t quibble with). In 1916, the U.S. Navy had 245 active ships, a number that eventually peaked during World War II, then fell, then peaked again more modestly during the Korean War, followed by a slow, consistent decline over the next five decades.

In recent years, the number of active ships has fallen low enough to approach its 1916 level. In both 2009 (the most recent year of the Heritage report) and 2011, the number was 285.

So Romney has a point. However, even using this metric — which, as we’ll argue later, is an imperfect one for measuring military strength — this is not the lowest level since 1916.

The Navy’s budget for FY2013 does include a decrease in ships:

• Overall Battle Force Ships continue to decrease to 284 in FY13. These changes will result in a Navy fleet size of more than 280 ships by the end of the FYDP.

• Aircraft procurement funds 192 airframes in FY13 and 765 airframes across the FYDP. Decreased aviation quantities for: F-35 B/C, C-40A, KC-130J, P-8A,MV-22B, MH-60R, and E-2D.

In addition, if automatic budget cuts called “sequestration” take place at the end of the year, the military will be affected.

The Naval Strategic Business Plan released in 2008, is an operating guideline the Navy produced to stay competitive around the world. The plan highlights the outdated state of the American Navy and eventually calls for a 10% increase in the number of ships in the American fleet.

2. Bayonet & knife combat training is on the rise; we could be using more bayonets now than in 1916

Photo Credit: wordsmith.org

To make bayonet training relevant again, the Army got rid of the bayonet assault course, in which soldiers fixed a bayonet to the end of a rifle, ran towards a target while yelling and then rammed the bayonet into the target center. Instead, soldiers learn in combatives training how to use a knife or bayonet as a secondary weapon.

Photo Credit: wordsmith.org

The United States Marine Corps, however, still trains every Marine with traditional bayonets and issues them as standard equipment. Special Forces also have intensive training with knives and bayonets as tactical weapons. As the size of these forces using bayonets have grown, one can easily argue that there are more bayonets in use now than in 1916.

Photo Credit: wordsmith.org

Photo Credit: http://itismymind.blogspot.com

3. The use of horses is on the rise and statues are being erected in their honor

Photo Credit: americanspecialops.com

“The first time we used our horses to train Special Forces was right after 9/11,” explains Mark Rossignol, business manager for Smith Lake Stables. Fort Bragg is home to the U.S. Army’s Special Operations Forces. “They were being sent to Afghanistan, and often the only way they can travel over there is by horse.”

Additionally, a sculpture depicting a US soldier riding horseback during the invasion of Afghanistan was unveiled near its new home on Friday near One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. The 16-foot-tall bronze statue, titled “De Opresso Liber,” depicts a Special Operations soldier in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks, and commemorates the first time US troops used horses in combat since 1942.

Photo Credit: AP

4. Horses are also used for state and military funerals

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Photo Credit: The Denver Post

Photo Credit: The Washington Times

Most state funerals include a horse drawn procession through the nation’s capitol. President Obama will receive one as well someday.

Lincoln

Photo Credit: Lincoln Presidential Library

Kennedy

Photo Credit: Kennedy Library

Reagan

Photo Credit: Reagan Library

5. We no longer technically use “battleships”

Photo Credit: US Naval Corps

“The last battleship on active duty was USS Missouri (BB 63) decommissioned Mar. 31, 1992. In the 21st century, there are no battleships in the United States Navy.”

Follow Benny Johnson on Twitter.

This story has been updated with additional information.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (309)

Man-On-A-Mission
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:25pm
He didn’t say we no longer have horses and bayonets….he said we have a lot fewer.

Try riding a horse into a modern fight while depending on your bayonet if you run out of ammo.

I’ll be in a Hummer with my ammo and shoot your horse….then you as you charge with your bayonet….

Get real….you don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.

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- 22_year_old_conservative
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:39pm
  While your sitting in you Humvee (Thats what they really are not hummers) trying to find me, I’ll be riding my horse in the deep trees where your Humvee cant go. and psst, when you run out of ammo I’ll charge you with my bayonet. That is if I haven’t managed my ammunition like I have been trained to do. I’d wager you only know how to spray and pray.
  
  Report this comment
- kissmygritsextremists
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:43pm
  Do your research before you blather.
  
  Report this comment
- WakeUp
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:53pm
  Man-On-A-Mission You are using the same script as Obama did. You make cute sounding comments, but they are totally bogus.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:55pm
  Surely you guys don’t really think that Man-On-A-Mission was in the service. If he was he must have been a Remington Ranger. For you younger guys, Remington referes to a typewriter.
  
  Report this comment
- marine249
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:56pm
  What is your mission?
  To look stupid?
  Mission accomplished.
  
  Report this comment
- atechgeek
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:56pm
  @Man-on-mission : Don’t jump to conclusions .. it would seem logical that we don’t use bayonets much any more .. but it is true that we use them more now. You seem to be exaggerating the point.
  
  Report this comment
- indianafrog
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:56pm
  We all know you would be cowering and pi$$ing yourself while you get stomped on by the horse and put out of your misery with the bayonet.
  
  Report this comment
- Stone Cold Truth
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:59pm
  I think we can all agree that we still use ships. The word “ships” includes carriers, submarines, destroyers, etc, etc. We still need all those. It is a FACT that our Navy is being reduced in a way that diminishes our ability to fight a two front war, such as a simutaneous attack on the East and West coasts. We also need more next gen planes, not less. These things are not outdated in any way. Downsizing the entire military always has consequences.
  
  Report this comment
- TMDesign
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 1:03pm
  Hey, when in doubt, blame Bush!
  
  http://pic.writelydesigned.com/70/
  
  Report this comment
- marine249
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 1:25pm
  @RJJ
  
  or maybe he was an office pinkie.
  
  same thing.
  
  Report this comment
- Zoe
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 1:44pm
  Someone is a wannabee……..
  
  Report this comment
- TheycallmeJoker
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 1:50pm
  Hey, dipstick the American special ops are currently using horse’s to get around and blend in the mountains of Afghanistan. And Obama is listening to the liberals he put in power in 2009 not actual battle hardened combat vets. And I hate to mention this umm no I don’t every marine is issued a bayonet and there are more of them then in 1916…. just saying.
  
  Report this comment
- zzclancy
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:02pm
  Yes you do. When you run out of ammo or they are inside of the wire – it’s hand to hand.
  
  Report this comment
- Jim S
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:04pm
  I will vote for Romney but he was stupid to use a 1917 Navy vs 2012 Navy straw man argument, and you should NEVER defend stupid…did he mean our Navy is weaker that it was in 1917?…really?..Aircraft carriers, fighter jets, smart bombs, SAMs, Tomahawks…helicopters anti-sub, nukes etc etc..I would wager a few Reagan class carriers are MORE powerful than the entire 1917 Navy…did Romney mean we have more places we need to be than ships to be there?…we’ll never know, in his last debate for President he couldn’t make his point clear…please don’t defend stupid, it lessens your standing…point Obama and move on…
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:05pm
  MARINE249, Well, I learn something new every day. Hadn’t heard that one before, so thanks. When I entered the Army in the ’70s, Remington Ranger was still a popular slur. That is one thing that I learned early, don’t let anybody know that you could type. But, once computers came along some things changed.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:10pm
  MARINE249, Forgot to mention. Did you notice the picture on the front page of the Blaze. Apparently journalists just still cannot tell US and British troops apart. The pic is a statue of apparently an early WWII Brit or Candian in overcoat, Pattern 1937 webbing with pack, and armed with the No.1MkIII Lee-Enfield SMLE sporting the 14 inch bayonet.
  
  Report this comment
- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:24pm
  My oh My!! Think of the SELF-DISCIPLINE it must have taken on the part of MITT ROMNEY to patiently let OBAMA just hang himself.
  
  I hope they make a commercial out of his closing statement. HE was MASTERFUL!!
  
  Obama came across as a total spoiled, snarky twit. Obama was so out-classed last night !! AMAZING SKILL… no wonder Mitt has been so successful and why ‘OBAMA couldn’t pour pee out of a boot with the directions on the heel’ (Old, Old Southern Saying!)
  
  Report this comment
- antann
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:25pm
  Now where exactly are you going to drive that Humvee?
  
  http://www.stripes.com/news/photo-gallery-afghan-terrain-tests-soldiers-hiking-skills-1.70576
  
  Report this comment
- Mic68
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:28pm
  I see you were probably “Big Army” most likely a non combat mos and spent many nights on the FOB drinking Green Beans Coffee. If you didn’t notice most places where the Taliban hide and fight from are not located on a road or even accessible by vehicles. Your thought process is why we are loosing in Afghanistan. Too much “Big Army”not enough Special Operators on horseback.
  
  Report this comment
- ronin_6
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:30pm
  @RJJINGADSDEN
  
  Wow. Now that’s paying attention to detail. There are a number of statues similar to that on Ft. Lewis, honoring the old 9th Division and their service in WWI. To the casual observer he looks like your average doughboy, and we did have Enfields in the inventory, but to pick up on the coat, web gear and bayonet. I am impressed and humble in your presence.
  
  Report this comment
- DblJ
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:33pm
  Man-on-a-mission… Do you know anything about direct hand to hand combat…. not the gamer crap where you think your a bada## – the real deal? I have been there and have several friends that still are, every single one of us carried and used bayonets (aka – knife) and military crossbows on occasions… element of covert attack is silence ; ammo can run out , mechanical/electronics malfunction and crazy enough, ships can sink and plans can crash…. I guess we could all stand around and sing kumbaya and would be right in the world….?
  
  Report this comment
- pjmarshake
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:33pm
  Try going into modern battle with a bayonet when you run out of ammo?
  
  You mean like the Scottish Southern Higlanders did in 2004 against some Sadr militia in Iraq (http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?14911-Scottish-Bayonet-Charge-in-Iraq)?
  
  It worked pretty well for the Scotts.
  
  Report this comment
- Publius Duo
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:36pm
  Man with a death wish, I mean, on a mission. A hummer is a SUV for civilian use that was once manufactured by Government Motors, I mean GM. The product line was discontinued under your hero Obummer, and the rights of manufacture sold to China. Talk about out-sourcing and sending jobs to China. The public was outraged and the rights were allegedly recinded. It’s a Humvee. And even a Corpse Man, as the genius in chief erroneously and insultingly call me and my brother corps men (medics in combat), knows this. Even a Corpse Man knows that spray and pray doesn’t work genius. Go ahead and waste your munitions, I only need one shot from my 9 mill, to take out the glass and you as well, while you sit and cry in your hummer.
  
  Report this comment
- Cataclysm
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:37pm
  Most likely the same guy who said we don’t need guns on planes…. and look how well that worked out in Vietnam…..
  
  Report this comment
- adrefs
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:53pm
  Hey there man on a mission: Oh know you won’t shoot his horse, I’ve already got you sighted in and a .223 sized piercing is coming your way. Ought to look real pretty with that nose ring your muffin-top girlfriend leads you with around Wal-Mart.
  
  Report this comment
- kennycannon
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:58pm
  This is the same “words” argument we have after every debate and it’s a joke. This debate we have the Bayonet thing and the Romeny Auto Bailout thing. Last debate we had the “act of terror thing”.
  
  I think all of it is useless. The fact (coming from members of the military) is that they train with Bayonets but rarely fix them to their weapons. The standard issue M4 comes with a bayonet attachment for the Ka-Bar. From the Marines I know, they tell me they’ll only fix Bayonets when they are out of ammo and trying to stay alive.
  
  The overall point that the President was trying to make was that we need to bring our military much more into the 21st century and I agree with him 100%. That doesn’t mean we cut back on all traditional forms of fighting, but it should mean that future spending goes towards technologically advanced warfare tactics.
  
  I can sit here on my Iphone and do my banking, talk to people half way around the world and actually SEE them, use GPS, etc., etc., etc. I look at that and think “we can do all these things but we still, in 2012, have to “invade” like we did in the 40′s?”
  
  My view, leave the troops here, kill with drones, and use our special forces for covert ops.
  
  Report this comment
- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 3:00pm
  RJ
  
  A Remington typewriter is to a clerk as a M16 is to a grunt. Both can be deadly. First rule of survival, don’t tick off the Company Clerk. He is the one who types the KP and Watch rosters.
  
  Report this comment
- DimmuBorgir
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 3:28pm
  Damn you’re dumb.
  
  Fine lets go to the mountain ranges where the battles are taking place. You get in your “hummer” i’ll get on a horse. We’ll see who gets stuck and looks like a fool first.
  
  Report this comment
- DimmuBorgir
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 3:31pm
  @ Dismayed Vet
  
  AH HA HA HA
  
  You are sooo right.
  
  Gotta maintain the LCpl underground. You know I scratch your back you scratch mine.
  
  Gotta have a friend in Admin if you want your pay and leave to always be correct.
  
  Report this comment
- thetruthseeker711
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 3:54pm
  Which is exactly why this dull butterknife needs to be replaced with high tech intelligence.
  
  Report this comment
- Mythghtsrmyown
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 3:56pm
  No he forgot the most important thing: Obama’s comment was irrelevant to Romney’s point.Romney said the navy has stated they need 315 ships to do their job. The Joint Chief said the cuts would be devastating. We only have about 280 in service now. After the cuts we will only have 210. That was Romney’s point. The Navy needs the ships! They HAVE asked for them (as Obama incorrectly claims the military hasn’t asked for anymore money). So Obama used a straw man argument to divert attention from his failing policy position. Unfortunately no one with a podium has caught on to it yet. I havent heard anyone in the media bring that up but it would be nice for someone to say it because that is a pretty important fact.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:07pm
  RONIN_6, Thanks, but its just been part of my hobby since I retired from the Army back in the ’90s. I study not only military history, but the equipment too. As for the American Enfield adopted in WWI, it does look considerably different than the British manufacture. Early in WWI the British could not manufacture enough SMLEs fast enough and contracted Remington and I believe Savage Arms to assist. The P14 Enfield ran about a year in contract and assisted the British with arms production. When the U.S. entered the war in 1917 we found ourselves in a similar situation not being able to produce enough M1903 Springfields. Since these companies were prepared their Enfield was retooled to accept the .30-06 round and the wooden furniture was changed to resemble the Springfield. Although it’s nomenclature was called something like the rifle M1917 it was commonly called the P17 since it was based on the P14 Enfield for the British. Anyway, it did look far different than the SMLE and accepted the 13 inch U.S. bayonet of the time. When I first entered service in the ’70s we had those same bayonets issued when we carried the Model 22 Winchester Shotguns. Some P17s continued in service aboard Navy ships until either late WWII or possibly towards the end of the Korean War.
  The Brody style helmets adopted by the U.S. also in WWI had a wider brim than the British version. This is noticeable when placed side by side.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:13pm
  DISMAYED VETERAN, LOL, I learned early on, you don’t mess with unit clerks (except when I was a company operations NCO twice) finance clerks, or your own cooks.
  
  Report this comment
- carl_in_ohio
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:17pm
  next time, try to drive that Humvee up the ravine. See how that work.
  Try driving that Humvee in a narrow alley, see how that works.
  
  And when you try to capture that flag, you use any and all means.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:20pm
  RONIN_6, I must correct myself. Just checked one of my WWI books and yes some U.S. units attached to British units were issued British Enfields to ease Quartermaster issues. The same happened with a smaller number of U.S. units attached to the French. Some of them were even issued the Adrian Helmets common to the French and Belgians.
  
  Report this comment
- bobfrommosinee
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:29pm
  Yes, Now get that Humvee on top a mountain were the trail is 2 feet wide, and the terrain is 70+% slopes, and you have no resupply until you get to a flat area, Yes, tell me how bad you are going to be in Your Humvee.
  
  Two combat tours, Retired service connected disabled, and even on a paved road, in a ambush, It can and does come down to Bayonets, and Horses, Been there, done that.
  
  Report this comment
- walkintruth
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:29pm
  I heard him say we “no longer” use those. It was very condescending and arrogant.
  
  Report this comment
- TheBattman
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:36pm
  Amazing Kool-Aide drinking loyalty there, Mr. Man-on-an (imaginary)-Mission!
  
  Nothing like the traditional Leftist tactic of avoiding the facts, and instead spewing either vitriol or straw arguments (like saying “what you would do” in an imaginative and unrealistic way).
  
  Obama is a Muslim (regardless of his claimed faith). Obama is an anti-Colonialist – but not in the vein of our founding fathers. He is all about undoing what has been done – in other words, everything that made the US successful and prosperous for 200 years is “evil”. So systematically destroy that – bring the US to its knees so that it is more “fair” in relation to the rest of the world.
  
  But none of this is possible – with a strong military.
  
  And lest we forget how the military works – the President is the Commander In Chief. What he says is the law for the military. The CEO of a company tells departments that they WILL cut spending, because the money isn’t coming. So the heads of that department prepare a budget that reflects cutbacks. Said CEO then goes before the board with that budget and says “see – department XYZ wants less of ________”
  
  That is exactly what Obama has done to the military – the commanders who are in charge of the branches do what they are told. To deal with diminishing funding – they cut back their expectations/requests for equipment and men. Now the President takes those requests and uses them to “verify” his statement that “the military hasn’t even as
  
  Report this comment
- ronin_6
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:37pm
  @RJJINGADSDEN
  Americans wearing Adrian Helmets. Never would have thought it. They look a bit more useful than the Brody.
  Knew that there had been US issuedSMLEs, but couldn’t reference it.
  I just looked in a book called The United States Infantry, an Illustrated history 1775-1918. On page 163 it shows an illustration of a US soldier wearing the Adrian. Never noticed it before.
  Thanks for the info.
  
  Report this comment
- Sosorryforyou
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:43pm
  @WALKINTRUTH
  
  You are incorrect. Pres. Obama said that the military uses FEWER horses and bayonet, not that they NO LONGER use them. Please listen to the debate again.
  
  Report this comment
- phillipwgirard
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:46pm
  @ Pattyhenry,,,,you ROCK,,,
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:52pm
  RONIN_6, Hey Bud, this has been fun. I love racking my brain when it comes to military history. But, I have to admit that naturally I do not know everything. That’s what makes it fun to look through my books. Furthermore, you are right that there are probably statues on Lewis that show U.S. WWI Era troops actually armed with British SMLE. Lewis is one of the few posts that I have not visited. I had an uncle who was there a couple of times though in the ’50s and ’60s.
  
  Report this comment
- shakedowncrews
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:56pm
  Man-on-a-mission: your comment is proof of my maxim that “arrogance and ignorance are incestuous bedfellows”
  
  Please shut up and read “Horse Soldiers”. This details the true story of our special forces using horses in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan because that Hum Vee you talk about could not move around the country.
  You would also learn that they did not make charges against armored vehicles, another demonstration that you are the one stucking thinking in terms of pre-modern warfare. This isn’t Poland, 1939. They used the horses to get into place and called in precise strikes from drones and aircraft, or coordinated other forms of attacks. But again, don’t let facts get in the way of being a smart azz.
  
  Your dipstck in chief was purposely being insulting in the manner in which he mentioned “big ships that carry aircraft, called aircraft carriers, and ships that work under water, nuclear submarines”. This kind of statement was so obvious to every American that it was STUPID, just like the POS POTUS. Two of the current Aircraft Carriers are the Reagan and G.W.Bush. You actually think that Romney would be unaware of that?
  
  Report this comment
- sfcgragg
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 5:21pm
  Obama indeed said we have fewer… But that is incorrect, as the Army AND the MArines STILL issue 1 (ONE) bayonet per solder and marine! If oyu check the armories at ANY Army or Marine line unit (i.e. company level unit) you’ll find 1 (ONE) bayonet per solder authorized as per the the TOE…
  
  Therefore Obama is STILL INCORRECT! And, he really should do a little more research prior to running his mouth off about things which he has NO CLUE!
  
  Report this comment
- conservative510
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:05pm
  It was a completely childish denigrating response to a valid concern.
  
  Report this comment
- pcj
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:24pm
  It was just a rude, belittling comment by an arrogant jerk, acting like Romney didn’t have a clue about America’s military. Obama should read the military paper that stated recently that 70% of the military readers didn’t respect Obama as their Commander in Chief.
  
  Report this comment
- pissantno.10
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:37pm
  i would guess man on a mission wished he had not posted his genius comments
  
  Report this comment
- ronin_6
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:08pm
  @RJJINGADSDEN
  Lewis is a beautiful post. They just finished redoing the museum. If you get a chance I highly recommend it. The lodge is on par with a 4 star hotel but I prefer the cabins on American lake or if you have an RV they have a nice park for that too. Or you can pull your RV into Camp Murray the National Guard post across the freeway. They have RV spots right on the lake. Good fishing, Mt. Rainier is nearby. Seattle and Tacoma are close. Puget Sound. I loved it there. Trying to get a tour in Alaska right now, but after that I wouldn’t mind heading back to Lewis. Only thing is the traffic off post.
  
  Report this comment
- Disgusted_in_CT
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:11pm
  Get real don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.
  
  Well consider this, a man armed with a knife can cover 21 feet in less than 2 seconds.
  and
  It takes about 1.5 seconds to draw a holstered gun -(worn openly, not concealed, add about another 1.5 seconds if its concealed).
  
  So unless you have had training -(and even then it is hard) and can fire and hit a moving target in .5 seconds, your dead or seriously hurt.
  
  Thank you for the laugh at your post, I enjoy a good chuckle at those who think they know it all when it comes to guns.
  
  But I know you have to defend your choosen one in any way possible because otherwise you would have to admit ob is nothing more than a failure and you are too by supporting him.
  
  Report this comment
- ronin_6
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:15pm
  @pjmarshake
  I was in country when that happened. Didn’t know it was true. We used to eat at the Brit chow hall in Basrah sometimes(we had heard they had co-ed showers and a liquor store). No one would confirm the bayonet story for me. Thanks for the link.
  
  Report this comment
- Wayner
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:23pm
  Let’s really get real…. The Chinese and probably their buddies have missles which can take out an aircraft carrier.. You know, one of those boats that planes can land on.. How many could we afford to lose? Remember the battle for the Falklands? The Argentines sunk a British warship with one missle.
  
  Report this comment
- Sensible_Centrist_Democrat
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:30pm
  The link The Blaze cited (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/wp/2012/10/22/do-troops-still-use-bayonets/) even states that the American military “certainly” uses less bayonets now. The army no longer has bayonets as standard weapons, but the Marines do. The number of active duty marines (200k) pales in comparison to the total number of military members / bayonets used in 1916. Don’t twist the argument to make Obama look bad.
  Also, the article stating that horses are still use is another straw man. Obama did not say horses are not used.
  
  Report this comment
- SCREW-WINDOWS
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:31pm
  Thats the problem with the new army they don’t have a clue how to use or improvise the tools at hand the old school tools work just as well when in a pinch.
  
  Report this comment
- Turbinraper
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 8:06pm
  Boom
  
  Report this comment
- Al J Zira
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 8:10pm
  Here’s a little tidbit. My son’s gunny sergeant texted today saying his entire sniper unit was just issued bayonets. They’re all laughing at this president asinine statement.
  
  Report this comment
- desertspeaks
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 8:28pm
  man on a mission was NEVER in the military! he’s a keyboard wannabe! in many aspects he’s a lot like obama, he’s a useful idiot!
  
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- AC7880
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 9:01pm
  Hey numb nuts,
  Try taking the Humvee into the mountainess terrain in Afghanistan. The only way you ever served was asking the customer if they wanted fries with that.
  
  Report this comment
- dmerwin
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 9:11pm
  Here are the problems with vastly reducing the Navy.
  1. They are now beginning to take the place of land bases overseas. If the same money is being spent to maintain the Navy vs a foreign land base at least the money goes into OUR economy.
  2. Threat areas change. Case in point, more than 20 embassies had protests at the same time as Egypt and Libya. You NEVER know where you need to project force or protect our citizens and interests.
  3. In a real conventional war you lose equipment. The US was forced to a defensive posture in the Pacific in WW2 because of the loss of NOT battleships at Pearl Harbor but Aircraft carriers in 1942. We WON in the Pacific because we could rapidly convert and build more carriers than the Japanese could replace. Our current manufacturing base would require 5 years to re-tool and ramp up production to rapidly replace ships OF any sort.
  4. Those aircraft carriers MUST have surface to air and submarine protection that they cannot provide for themselves.
  5. There are not many strategic submarines (nuclear) in the inventory what if 2 are undergoing major maintenance when we need them. I am quite sure the Chinese and Russians know EXACTLY when they are in port and/or dry dock.
  6. Building ships provides REAL American jobs.
  I was an Army soldier with a rifle and a, you guessed it, bayonet. While I served in peace time, it was/is comforting to know that we have such tremendous air power on stand by courtesy of the navy and air force.
  
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- VoteBushIn12
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 9:52pm
  @MAN-ON-A-MISSION
  
  Put perfectly.
  
  Obama said, “have fewer”. All this article has done is to prove we have at least 1, but makes no attempt to contradict the president’s claim.
  
  Shotty job. The Blaze sucks, what else is new.
  
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- tgp42rhr
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 9:58pm
  Well Poug-with-no-mission, Everytime I left the wire I had my bayonet fixed, and it was always attached to my DCU belt. Even got to clear a path through a bunch of rioting Iraqis for a 5 ton with it! Most people are scared sh**less when faced with cold steel, that right there gives the bayonet an advantage. And while your hiding in your oversized target, blazing away at shadows, I’ll be coming for you with my bayonet in hand!
  
  Cruachan!
  
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- Ghandi was a Republican
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 10:13pm
  Got news for you fool…. I can gut you unconscious and bled out before you can swing that rifle around…. You watch too much hollywood movies,.. And I don’t have to reload my knife…
  
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- anomnomnommm
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 10:16pm
  Most of that article actually agrees with what Obama said. Regardless, the media, including The Blaze (and readers) are idiots for taking this literally. The point is to work smarter, not harder. This country is already going down the tubes for ignoring science, good to see its slipping even further as we ignore rhetoric and literary skill as well.
  
  Bravo.
  
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- Wolfgang the Gray
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 10:59pm
  Ammo runs out, bayonets are forever. When your “Hummer” runs out of gas, you start walking. A horse doesn’t run out of gas, it can refuel indefinitely. They can also traverse far more terrain than a wheeled vehicle, can operate stealthily (unlike the clattering diesel of your “Hummer”). Worse case scenario, you can’t eat your “Hummer” to stay alive.
  
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- Jayk Signal
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 4:08am
  Don’t forget what Obama’s argument was:
  
  We don’t use bayonets.
  We use nuclear submarines.
  So a $1T cut makes sense.
  
  His genius is faster than the speed of logic.
  
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- Hoax And Chains
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 6:34am
  You defend Obummer’s moronic ineptness by applying your own… nice try. Sounds like the only military experience you have is on the end of a video game controller.
  
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- Edohiguma
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 8:13am
  A little military history for you. Recent history. The British have fixed bayonets in Iraq and actually bayonet charged some jihadis there. With great success in that particular engagement. The bayonet is also a psychological weapon. It means **** is getting really serious and will get straight in your face.
  
  As for horses, for special operations in areas like A-stan the horse isn’t really bad. Your humvee has to follow a road and needs fuel. The horse can go offroad and eats grass.
  
  Sure, the cavalry per se is dead. Has been for decades and nothing will change that. But for special operations the horse is a viable option. The bayonet or the field knife, whatever you want to call it, will also remain a weapon for infantry. Same as an e-tool. If it gets into hand to hand, an in urban warfare that can happen quickly, you want weapons that work. And a knife to the throat or an e-tool to the head work just as fine in a crammed, narrow environment.
  
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- Tagudinian
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 11:31am
  You have completely missed the point. Skip the semantics and think harder. “Horses and bayonets” are not obsolete in the context in which Mr Obama used the phrase to kick Gov Romney’s shin and try to appear superior. But Mr Obama is wrong in his “Ebonics style quip” – and as usual he continues to lie. He doesn’t know squat about the military, its language, members, equipment, mission, vision and purpose. He claims to be the CIC but what a lie that is. Mr Obama doesn’t know his rectum from a hole in the ground – and that is being charitable.
  
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- The Jewish Avenger
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 11:34am
  A Mister Rogers moment
  ]
  “Can you say megalomania?
  I knew you could.”
  
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- Chevalier
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 3:51pm
  Marine249, you do remember that even office pinkies in the Marine Corps are trained in the use of the bayonet as well as the fact that they are trained riflemen as no matter what a Marines MOS (Military Occupational Specialty), they are still all riflemen at heart. . .
  
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- zeroturnzed
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 4:45pm
  Horses don’t run on gasoline or diesel fuel and can go places that vehicles cannot.and do it a lot quieter, If I was out of ammo then I wouldn’t throw away the bayonet just because it doesn’t shoot a projectile and I wouldn’t throw away the rifle either because the bayonet it better than bare hands and a rifle makes a better club that bare hands. I don’t believe the Navy is cutting up all of the old ships for scrap metal yet. They are mothballed which means they are maintained so that if the need arises they could be used again in a pinch.
  
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Cavallo
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:24pm
Obama is going to make sure that the military is broken, demoralized, and diminished. Not to mention he and his goons at the DOJ will make damn sure the military does not get an equal say in the election. Unlike Ron Paul, the Obamessiah is not looking for a lean (emphasis on lean) mean fighting machine to protect the American way of life. The One wants to diminish and hamstring American military capability.. that is until such time as he can turn it loose on the American citizenry.

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- SShink
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:57pm
  “Unlike Ron Paul”. I’m tired of hearing about him…he is done, over, lost. His followers (and 9/11 truther buddies) should go join him out to pasture. The only thing you accomplished is to further fracture the conservative movement..
  
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- pdumar
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 1:55pm
  I agree Cavallo that Ron Paul’s foreign policy is vastly different than Obama’s. I think Ron Paul could have won the foreign policy discussion if he approached it strictly from an economic point of view. It’s true with $16 trillion dollars in debt and the impending collapse of the dollar we will have a Ron Paul type foreign policy whether we like it or not. In the end, it’s the almighty dollar that dictates what we’re able to do regardless of our desires and wishes, whether that be the progressive’s desire for welfare to the poor or the conservative’s desire for security welfare for the rest of the world. It’s a shame because if we would have been prudent with our treasure 20 years ago we could have maintained a strong military presence, however I agree with Ron Paul in that there is a lot of Solyndra type waste in our defense spending that needs to be cut.
  
  @ SShink, I think the reason his supporters keep bringing him up is because nobody has been so prescient about the problems we’re facing today like Ron Paul has, especially in the past ten years from trying to get the Republican controlled House, Senate, and President to reign in Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Reserve while warning on the house floor in 2002 that these institutions were creating a housing bubble which will have a catastrophic effect on our economy to him warning in 2002 about our nation’s rising debt, politicians using class warfare, and us getting bogged down in Iraq for ten yea
  
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DogTags
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:21pm
Those are lovely pictures of BRITISH troops with bayonets. You can see a British flag on one shoulder. The picture is even named “british-iraq-bayonet.” Was that intentional or was this a slip up like the Democrats showing Russian ships and Turkish fighter jets at their convention?

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- johnjamison
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:31pm
  Those are U.S. k-bar bayonets and all soldiers go through basic CQC training with those knives. The elite specialist go through even more training as the K-Bar is the best way to silently kill at close range.
  And as for Obama what does the bastard son of a communist athiest,and a anti-colonialist communist,who grand parents were also communist, whose mentors were all anti-American communist,who actively sought out liberal and communist activist to saddle up with through out his entire life KNOW ABOUT THE MILITARY OR WHAT IT EVEN MEANS TO BE AMERICAN
  
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- OniKaze
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:35pm
  The first photo with two guys w/bayonets is of U.S. troops (they are wearing our Camo Pattern)..
  
  The point is just showing that although we use firearms for a majority of our combat, ALL troops need to be educated and armed with a Bayonet for CQB….
  
  Obama implied that Modern Military DOES NOT use Horses, Bayonets and large Navy’s…. But ALL 3 points are false..
  
  We Used Horses in Afghanistan, ALL troops are provided with blade training (since one a gun is out of ammo, it can STILL be a weapon) and we don’t have a large Navy anymore (which is true) but other countries (I.E.: China) has a large Navy and we should as well…
  
  But it was funny that someone else noticed the Union Jack on that guy’s arm….
  
  Report this comment
- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 1:03pm
  It the helmet shape for me.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:23pm
  Dismayed Veteran, Yeah, the Brits are easy to spot by their Mk6 helmets, two color Desert DPM uniform, Osprey body armor, and L85A2 Enfields with SA80 bayonets. Its our journalist who cannot tell them apart.
  
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- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 3:16pm
  RJ
  
  My time in the Army was 43 years ago. I don’t know current uniforms and equipment. It was the helmet silhouette that told me these guys weren’t Americans.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:39pm
  DISMAYED VETERAN, I hope that I did not come across as a smartass to you. I salute your service and yours was far before mine. I retired on about 16 years ago. Its been a hobby of mine to study military history along with the equipment used. I recall working with British troops in Germany while stationed in the 7th ATC training areas who wore the MkVI helmets at the time. Those were based on the MkIII turtleshells from late WWII and frankly were more of a newer pattern than our M1 Steel Helmets. I spent close to the first half of my career wearing the M1 then later the Kevlar first pattern.
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:44pm
  Geez, the above should be the Mk5 helmet which was the last version of the WWII MkIII helmet. The changes were in the suspension and padding.
- anomnomnommm
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 10:47pm
  @Johnjamison
  
  “And as for Obama what does the bastard son of a communist athiest,and a anti-colonialist communist,who grand parents were also communist, whose mentors were all anti-American communist,who actively sought out liberal and communist activist to saddle up with through out his entire life KNOW ABOUT THE MILITARY OR WHAT IT EVEN MEANS TO BE AMERICAN”
  
  There goes your credibility. Thanks for engaging in meaningful conversation. And its “AN anti-colonialism communist” :)
  
  Report this comment
- johnjamison
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 12:39pm
  Thanks for correct my improper grammer on an otherwise 1000% accurate post. ANOM.
  btw After reading some of yours I can say without a doubt you never had any before your finger touch the first key.
  EXCELSIOR…….LOL
- anomnomnommm
  Posted on October 30, 2012 at 4:51pm
  JOHNJAMISON
  
  Don’t claim to have any – can’t do much to help you all at this point. Just here to yuck it up at yall
  
  Report this comment
Gonzo
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:20pm
Yuck it up Barry. Your immature response and petulant attitude are no substitute for real leadership.

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Lady_of_the_Lake
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:17pm
I know those of us here in the Navy town of Norfolk,VA are real excited to see these “ships that go under water and stuff” are they manned by Corpse’men ??? also we are thrilled to hear about the Trillion $ Defense cuts that will turn our Shipyards into the next Detroit….Foreskin !!!!…i mean Forward Comrades…

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- Gonzo
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:25pm
  Oh didn’t you hear? Barry says not to worry about sequestration, says it will never happen. Of course he has nothing to back that up with and a long history of inability to work with Congress, but we have nothing to fear…the Emperor said so.
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:35pm
  Gonzo, Yeah, I caught that right away too. I still think Mitt let another get away from him. Should have asked if 0bama was going to wave his magic wand again with another EO and cancel out a law that he himself signed. But, Ploufe to the rescue last night when he started back peddaling on that statement almost immediately after the debate was over. On a lighter note, can you imagine all of the loony left who hate the military must have stained their underwear after 0bama told that lie with such conviction.
  
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- ladoll
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:09pm
  To Cavallo – you are so right! He will not be satisfied until he has ruined every corner of this Great Nation, including our military. And would he and his goons turn the weapons on the citizens? I certainly believe that is the plan. We will find out soon I’m afraid.
  
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- ladoll
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:17pm
  That was such a moronic and arrogant statement for him to make. I’m sure that anyone tuned in to hear the debates are very familiar with the fact that the US has subs and aircraft carriers. If these cuts come about I will be praying for everyone in Norfolk and any other major Naval area. My deceased husband was a retired 20 year Navy veteran of two wars. He would be appalled at Obama! God Bless all of our troops in all branches of the military and their families.
  
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- bustedupvet
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 9:44pm
  Obungler needs to be reminded that there are voters…you know…people with common sense that are sick of his stupidity and ready to vote him out…remember votes!!!
  
  Report this comment
cassandra
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:15pm
obama you don’t know sh&%$ about the military !!! NO patriot military family,veteran,or service member will ever vote for you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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- johnjamison
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:38pm
  Obama has no idea what the words Forward even means. Few of us do I had three uncles that landed in France june 6th 1944 that could tell you what FORWARD meant although they rarely did. Had another two more uncle that landed in mid way could tell you about it as well. They all came home when their duty was done and prayed to God no one would ever have to do what they had to do.
  When Obama says Forward he really means BEND OVER
  
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- OneofMany
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 1:41pm
  As a veteran I say AMEN to that!
  
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- RightThinking1
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 3:09pm
  CASSANDRA,
  Actually, O. doesn’t know anything about anything. He relies on ‘experts’ who, themselves, rely on theory, since they have no experience either. Case in point, Dept. of Energy Sec. Chiu, Chu doesn’t even own an automobile, and yet he is/has been a key advisor on automobile standards. Chu is a theoretical physicist. No doubt a brainy, well-educated guy, but I doubt that he knows how a toilet works.
  Chu understands that a PV panel can produce electricity, but doesn’t grasp, or doesn’t care, that the electricity thereby produced is extremely expensive, and very impractical.
  What makes thing worse, is the fact that these ‘advisers’ are also leftists. That means that they are perfectly prepared to ride roughshod over the Republic in order to implement their misguided plans/policies.
  
  Report this comment
NealPatrick
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:14pm
Since Obama is all about slogans and one-liners, and that is truly what his base eat-up, the truth does not matter.

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- DogTags
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:25pm
  Slogans and one-liners are the tools of community organizers. They use short phrases so their ignorant followers won’t have to think very much.
  
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- TonyFox
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:02pm
  I could think of One Liners for Obama
  ASS HOLE
  COMMUNIST
  LIAR
  RACIST
  EARS
  ******
  ANTI-AMERICAN
  
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- The_Pointy_End
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 6:43pm
  Sad point: Iowa State University sold all of its student’s contact information to the DNC and I assume this happened all around the country. Got to mobilize your base err….useful idiots. All those fancy one liners are being text messaged directly to college voters.
  
  IMHO – a college student voting is the same as allowing a preschooler to vote…..both are clueless to what they are voting for and both have no real world wisdom to base their decision on.
  
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- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 8:34pm
  That is UNLESS they have a father like me. I raised and am still raising my 3 girls to be color-blind and Constitutionally conservative. You can bet your life the one oldest to vote has already voted by absentee ballot, so I know, for a fact, that she voted for R & R.
  
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AvengerK
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:14pm
Obama likes to pretend he’s “in the know” about these things but he’s so hopelessly under-educated that he looks small and ineffectual.

Obama is a student of Alinsky…he uses ridicule. This was made very clear last night and the “horses and bayonets” line exemplifies it.

But Romney as a business man is a student of Sun Tzu and Musashi. Watching Romney last night he was looking at the bigger picture, not just a debate. The war, not the battle. Obama was looking for just a debate and a fight. Romney is a strategist, Obama is a bomb hurler and trouble stirrer.

Sun Tzu says to never to go looking for a battle and only battle where you know you’ll win. He also defines “killing ground”. Obama wanted to portray Romney as a war-monger and unstable. But the student of Sun Tzu -Romney- didn’t go to Obama’s “killing ground”. Instead he attached himself to Obama. He was even-toned, clear and stayed on message while Obama got more frustrated and aggressive. Obama only knows Alinsky so ridicule and lies were all he knew to use.

The strategist Romney only needed two things last night. To continue his rising momentum and to quell fears about him being a war-monger. He accomplished both and very impressively while allowing Obama to lash out.

A really impressive showing from Romney and he proved to me at least that he has the demeanour and the savvy to be president and CIC. Obama still doesn’t know what hit him last night.

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- truthnstuff
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:26pm
  Good portrayal of 0bama the liar-in-chief.
  
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- OhioRifleman
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:57pm
  @ Avenger K
  
  Damn good analysis. There are a lot of copies of Sun Tzu running around modern office buildings, at least those businesses that are savvy and intend to play a long game. It was stunning to see the complete hosing of Obama’s strategy.
  
  The more I listen to 0dumbarse, the more I am convinced I hear someone who can barely think with two neurons and the occasional skull fragment those neurons subcontract to ‘increase their horsepower’.
  
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- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 1:01pm
  Obama will take solace in MSNBS declaration that he won.
  
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- eagle2715
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:32pm
  Spot on analysis. I hope it plays out in the long run.
  
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frenchdragon
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:11pm
Being ex Navy, I am very aware of our naval strength and ships. No, we don’t have coal colliers anymore because we don’t use coal in our ships anymore. It’s not the number of ships, it’s their types and uses that matter. We need fast attack ships for coastal waters more than on the high seas. Chances of a knock-down drag-out battle with another large navy is smaller today than years ago. Our navy is more capable for it’s intended uses today than ever. Don’t kid yourself, however. China’s fleet is impressive and getting larger.

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- The Jewish Avenger
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:24pm
  I heard recently that they were now the largest.
  
  Also, every ship has been paid for by U.S. taxpayers via interest on their bonds.
  
  Anyone able to shed some light on that?
  
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- Sgt_Rock
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:35pm
  As China expands it’s economy it is only natural that it will expand it’s military. I do not worry about their navy (PLAN), at this point, but it bears watching. A large naval forces are the method by which nations project power, simply because the worlds oceans are so vital to commerce. A big, aggressive navy can wreak havoc on commerce. The most significant growth in the PLAN is the addition of one aircraft carrier (purchased from the russians) and their growing submarine program. They plan to add another carrier soon and they are building subs non-stop. They are also building support and patrol ships at a significant pace. Still, I don’t worry about their navy nearly as much as I do their 2.3 million man standing army. Their army has always been huge and well equipped. They have steadily upgraded / modernized nearly all of their combat systems. They have 2 yr compulsory military service and 800k reserves (plus 8 to 10 mil. “militia” and 600k armed police).
  
  These guys are an NGO in the U.K. and have some of the best info out there about the chinese military.
  
  http://www.sinodefence.com/
  
  I’ve hit their site numerous times just to stay current on China’s progress as they modernize. Scary.
  
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- eagle275
  Posted on October 24, 2012 at 1:17am
  Yeah, and the Ruskies now have more nukes than we do, they have been building their military selling oil.China is building an impressive military. Back to 1916? What happened in 1941? F++k Komrade Obama Osama The Muslim Whisperer.
  
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cassandra
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:11pm
comming from a Marine family I can say obama dosen’t know Jack about the military yes we have aircraft carriers but Mr Prez if you have fewer of them what good is it, how can they be everywhere at the same time it’s a pretty big ocean, and Yes we train our service men and women how to use a bayonet, obama is a danger to our country and our security just think of the men he left behind to die in Bengazi ? While HE got his beauty sleep you can say what ever you want about Bush but He would have had a Marine force with those men and would have NEVER LEFT A MAN BEHIND

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- RefreshTheTreeOfLiberty
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 3:37pm
  When it all comes down to it, that’s the core difference. Clearly Owe-blamer and his group of Alinsky-worshipping commies couldn’t care less about the military or their families, and in fact, has the same contempt for our military as he does for our nation’s history, it’s people, and it’s customs. His played-out “faux outrage” when he was called out for it in the 2nd debate was both predictable and telling.
  
  November can’t get here soon enough…
  
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COFemale
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:03pm
Seems like Obama opened mouth and inserted foot once again. Apparently, his people did not do their due diligence and research what is going on in the military. I guess that is because Obama has disdain for our military, that is no secret and he will do every thing possible to make us inept in the world. We need to get rid of him, get him out of office and sent back to his 1st job community organizer.

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chips1
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:03pm
Obama failed to mention his purse brigade. On day he will be honored with a donkey procession. He was brought in by an a$$ and will be lead out by one.

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barber2
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:01pm
Obama’s dismissiveness and arrogance is typical of a Lefty. They think they are the smartest guys in any room. Just read the comments of ETCHASKETCH or WANGO. Strange that Obama doesn’t ” get it” that his economic and foreign policies are huge failures. Guess that’s why he thinks ” he killed Osama” and that ” al Qaeda is on the run ” and he can “redistribute” his way to economic improvement. The man is delusional . Reminds me of some past disastrous historical figures. Big ego. Surrounded by sycophants. Joe Wilson had him pegged long ago.

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crusaderx9
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:58am
Perhaps a Romney Commemorative Bayonet issued for his inauguration and Presidency!

obama’s sad symbol is an empty chair…

God Bless ROMNEY RYAN 2012!

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- ladoll
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:23pm
  a Romney Commemorative Bayonet issued for his inauguration and Presidency!
  I LOVE that idea!
  
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Zurich
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:55am
I remember a situation where Obama was not able to list all the Armed Forces by name and he had to get help from the crowd. Furthermore he is unable to distinguish between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. It was also astonishing when Obama said that our soldiers use generally AK47.
Just saying…….

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woodyee
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:52am
Oh my! I’m STUNNED! You mean…no…it can’t be….are you trying to say…

That Obammy didn’t know what he was talking about? AGAIN?!?!? Oh my goodness, what will the poor Libs say now….

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- ButtersDurst
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 8:06pm
  Just read Man-On-A-Mission’s original post above.
  
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Just_Us2
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:51am
I understand what Obama was trying to say last night…that there should be an emphasis on quality rather than quantity. Believe me, I know that is giving him a lot of credit. However, in this age of TECHNOLOGY, he should know that state of the art weapons are MORE expensive and you have to INVEST HEAVILY in to RESEARCH. Is this not his excuse for pouring billions in to green energy? Because to have a quality product, you need research, design, emerging technologies. He is fine to pour billions in to solar….but wants to cut defense, both decisions based on the exact logic. You cannot have it both ways.

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- RepubliCorp
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:02pm
  But if you don’t upgrade the military all you will have are horses and bayonets against lasers
  
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- barber2
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:02pm
  Good points.
  
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- grimmster
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:27pm
  @rebuplicorp.
  And when you have no oil based fuel to run a mechanized army,that horse and bayonet will look pretty good. Although i hate using a hollywood movie as an example, watch the movie Red Dawn,bad acting but the story line is closer to the truth than one might think………
  
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- barber2
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 2:25pm
  Have a feeling that drones are much more expensive than bayonets. But then Obama would’t understand that “cost” stuff ! That’s why he is ballooning the deficit. Liberals do not understand math…nor economics..nor saving. Tax and spend. Tax and redistribute.
  
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jackact
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:50am
The clueless pretender-in-chief strikes again.
In his attempt at condesention the hubris surfaces once more.
Today, in our armed forces (CORPSE MEN included), there is not a single soldier that does not want to stick their bayonette……..well you know what I mean.

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cessna152
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:50am
I only watch the last 20 minutes of the debate because I figured it would be no different than what Obama has been doing his entire life….LYING!

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- pap pap
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:25pm
  I quit watching the debate after an hour because I realized that nothing Obama was saying was the truth and Romney wasn’t on the attack this time.I realized that I couldn’t watch this anymore because I am really prejudiced against liars.
  
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DarkJello
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:49am
Cool beans. It was a zippy line by Obama. Will the superficial be enough, again?

Hoping that substance is greater than style this time. We will know shortly.

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Tri-ox
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:47am
Obama has a palpable disdain for our military – his shocking, snide remarks last night were beyond the pale – these may have been “zingers”, but the only one that obama zinged was himself …

MICHAEL PATRICK LEAHY writes: “Mr. Obama’s snarky “horses and bayonets” line also backfired. As several Marines and Army veterans tweeted during the debate, Marines still use bayonets. In fact, had the President chosen to station Marines at Benghazi, as he should have, Marines would in all likelihood have used their bayonets when the mission there was attacked. Also, the Army’s Special Forces currently use horses in the mountains of Afghanistan.

But the President’s third self delivered strike is the one that is likely to have the greatest political cost. When he belittled the notion that increasing the current size of our Navy–as Governor Romney suggested–was not worthy of consideration because this “is not a game of Battleship,” he effectively wrote off the State of Virginia, where the Navy’s Norfolk base plays such a huge role in the local economy.”

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/10/23/Obama-Strikes-Himself-Out-in-Virginia-With-Game-of-Battleship-Horses-and-Bayonets-and-Sequester-Walk-Back

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- MsgtDavePA
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 7:57pm
  I was in the Air Force from 1980 to 2000, and went through the Reagan rebuild, and the hated Clinton years. Do you remember when they used to talk about the “hollow force” during the Carter years? And then when Pres Reagan was elected, one of his first goals was a “500 ship” navy. We, as a nation, have been measuring military force by number of ships, air force fighter and bomber wings, and army divisions for decades. It just shows how little Pres Obama really does know. Maybe he should quit skipping the intel briefs.
  
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OutOfTheAether
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:46am
A friend of mine back in the mid-80′s commented on the very same thing happen to the Navy under Jimmy Carter. less ships, stuff badly in need of replacing, etc. Seems to be a pattern, doesn’t it?

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- LakeHartwellSailor
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:28pm
  Man, when I was in the Navy in the early 80′s; I was stationed aboard a nuclear powered cruiser, USS Truxtun (CGN-35). It was in HORRIBLE shape. The missile launchers failed all the time when we attempted to launch practice missiles at drones; the 5-inch gun failed quite a bit….about the only thing I remember working fairly well was the ASROC launcher (Anti-submarine torpedo launcher). This was because the scheduled overhauls kept being put off during the Carter years. We finally got a two year major overhaul starting in ’83.
  
  We were part of Operation Eagle Claw (unfortunate failure); where we sailed up the Gulf of Oman at night at high speed with everything turned off (no radar, no radio emissions….nada). Parked ourselves off the coast of Iran and then lit EVERYTHING off (all radars, radio transmissions) for a short time. Then we turned everything off, and got the heck out of there….this was a diversionary tactic. Scared the heck out of me because I knew the state of our weapons systems. Good grief, one of our own submarines surfaced 1000 yards away from us once and we had no clue it was around!!! Sonar equipment was a POS!!!!!
  
  Yeah, keep our military strong and in excellent repair!
  
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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:30pm
  I was in the Army stationed mostly at Bragg during the Carter Administration. Anything from light bulbs to toilet paper was essentially issued through an eyedropper. Most of us bought our own toilet paper and kept it securred away in our lockers. Vehicle replacement parts were almost impossible to get. Jeeps and other vehicles sat in our motor pools dead lined for months at a time. Carter monkeyed around with our pay checks too, and I recall having my direct deposit made one time six days late.
  
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- Free_Thinker
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 4:25pm
  @LAKEHARTWELLSAILOR
  We called total Electronics Silence “EMCON”, proudly served on the USS California CGN-36 from 85-89. Our weapons systems were in top notch shape though and we had the Battle “E”s to prove it.
  
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CatB
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:45am
So whoever wrote that line .. is as clueless as the one who repeated it (Obama) … who also came of snarkey and snotty. I can tell you women do NOT like snarkey and snotty men.

R & R 2012.

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QuincySmith
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:45am
Obviously, Ann Coulter was right.

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- CatB
  Posted on October 23, 2012 at 12:02pm
  Like her or hate her .. she usually is … and she likes to tweek the libs by using words that send them screaming. ;-)
  
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 23, 2012 at 11:43am
What else is new – Obama had again demonstrated himself to be an arrogan, hypocritical buffoon with delusions of grandeur and is a outright blatant liar.

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