No it is not. It is a sovereign country. Just another socialist state,, though one that has been well subsidized.
Perhaps some of that wealth should have been invested in defense.. Or even better yet,, arm the people.
Hey there. I have no idea why I was unable to post more replies last night. Probably some type of anti-spam script of some sorts.
Yes, wealth should be invested in defense. We got some new funky stealth ships in our navy, and we have ordered 56 F-35's and some
other stuff. Problem is, with new and better technology the price also go up. So the armed forces has for the last 15 years or so been tailored
to be an integrated part of the NATO (US) war machine.
When it comes to the whole vassal thing : being a vassal doesn't mean being suppressed or anything like that.
Here's step 1 if you're concerned about a Russian invasion: stop disarming your people.
There's a reason no one invaded Switzerland in recent memory.
Switzerland is a giant mountain with no strategic importance. Also, they produce excellent chocolate and they are happy to hide money generated from looting
Thanks for addressing the first point I thought of: you are no more a "random Norwegian" than I am a "random U.S. citizen". We are all our own human beings who happen to live in geographic areas claimed by various gangs. No matter the relationship between the states, we can cherish each other as individuals.
Agreed. I didn't put much thought into the username.
That being said, if the land known as Norway is such a strategic asset, then why do you need the socialist funds of the US military to defend it? If the big oil and energy concerns and bankers need to have that area secured from "rogue" Russian state agents - then let them fund it through their own bottom line by putting private defense agents there. If you value having this defense, you are also free to chip-in to this effort, either through helping the specific efforts or buying a share of ownership of the agency doing the defending, or simply by arming yourself to protect your own home and neighborhood from tyrants that seek to usurp your inalienable rights.
The US-Norwegian relationship can be compared to prison life where the small man gets protection by the bigger man while out in the yard for cigarettes. Big man says hands off the little man, little man pays cigarettes. I guess I could have found a better analogy but I thought it was sufficient for the time being.
As with nearly anything, when we say "The govt should be doing this!" we don't mean to imply that it shouldn't be done at all. In fact, things worth doing are going to be done much more efficiently, fairly, and effectively if the govt isn't taking the reigns. And those things that the govt does that shouldn't be done at all would quickly evaporate from the marketplace as inefficient, tyrannical, anti-rights actions tend to do.
So it's about hitting the light-switch to turn off the govt, but having those interested in providing light being able to fund their own lamps by whatever legitimate individual or collaborative means they can make work.
Right. I'm all for limited government. The only thing I want the government to do is provide defense and law enforcement.
Do you fear Russia in Norway, or are you influenced by the media to fear them?
The affairs of Norway are Norway's business. Norway should be prepared to defend itself, and good relations with your neighbors is a very effective part of defense. Does Norway have no weapons? No doubt modern weapons can be purchased.
Norwegian media does not in any way use fear mongering and Norwegian politicians always stress that we have good relations. However, they routinely have bombing run exercises simulating bombing our cities. During the cold war they would also pardon my french, fuck with us by driving 5000 tanks to the border only to turn away at the very last minute. There has also been leaks that shows that the relationship can be described as cold. That Norwegian politicians have a head in the sand strategy.
So when it comes to Russia, a 200 million strong country vs 5 million then its obvious Norway is not capable of defending itself even if it spent 100% of GDP. So that brings me back to my original question.
Using your own logic, you have much more to worry about US then about Russia. US has a rich history of unjust resource wars __all over the world __, especially over the past 60 years, it has already installed military in Norway!!!!!, the US government/military industrial complex has a proven history of deceiving everybody including their own citizens for a purpose of getting control over other people's resources and lives. That's the answer to your question. Having a standing army on your land is dangerous for your liberty, when this army is under command of a foreign nation the danger is multiplied by 100, when this army is under command of a foreign nation that has such a colorful history of recent violence is a danger multiplied by 1000!
The good thing about the US is that it tends to invade countries that does not belong to its own cultural group
If Russia attacks Norway, why should Americans die?
That said, if Norway is that worried, then it should start an alliance with its own neighbors. An unprovoked attack on Norway is a threat to the entire region because it sets precedence for Russia to invade its neighbors.
It's kind of like how Canada and America may still be allies even in a libertarian society.
Being neighbors with another country is very different than being a military ally to another country across the world. An unprovoked attack on Norway is a threat to the entire region, and there for, it is its neighbors' business!
Good question. Perhaps the best one yet. Hard to answer. I think it boils down to a philosophical question. Perhaps the idea of charity could be applied? Besides if Russia were to invade, it would probably take them about 24 hours if not less. And there would be no way the US or NATO would risk potentially hundreds of millions of lives just to free 5 million people. Russia would not invade considering Norway is protected by the US, but if the US withdraws and says ok Norwania time to be on your own, then things might change over night.
Relying on a country that's basically broke, like the US, for your defense, is risky business at best -- and suicide at worst.
Having said that, although RP is against foreign aid and foreign military bases, and "policing the world," he does support strategic alliances and mutual defense treaties, AFAIK -- like NATO (of which Norway is also a member). I don't recall ever hearing RP say that he would want the US to withdraw from NATO.
Good to hear. I already know about his don't police the world policy, but he has also mention entangling alliances so I'm just trying to understand a bit more
Phew! Those were many quotes.
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