I quite agree, although making what contribution we can to world stability is important. I'm thinking things like our deployments to East Timor, Cambodia, Bouganville, Solomon Islands etc.

I can't disagree with this statement. But since we are in such dire straights, as is the rest of the world, there is nothing wrong with looking hard at where we throw excess funds for little gain and keeping more of it at home. Face it, there are a lot of countries that hate our guts but yet we send them millions, in some cases billions, and all we do is get beat up over it. It is about time to call in some of those cards, and redirect to those who want to give us a hand. The recent events in Kyrgyzstan come to mind. I say let's look around the neighborhood, find someone who wants to give us a hand and close the damm base immediately. Surprise! Kiss our ass. I am tired of it. They can't have it both ways.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009...se-afghanistan