Saturday, April 20, 2024 | 2 a.m.
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George Washington in 1775 had no real army, navy or even uniforms. His volunteer force often had minimal food, blankets and medical care.
Frequently unpaid, Washington’s troops often deserted or defected to the British. Significant numbers of the colonialists were loyal to the British during the war. But the world’s foremost superpower surrendered to Washington in 1781.
As a superb tactician who, in his farewell address, warned against foreign entanglements, what might Washington have said about recent military topics? He likely would be:
• In disbelief that the U.S. has 750 foreign military bases.
• Opposed to many wars in recent decades.
• Stunned that military and National Guard personnel equal or exceed the entire population of the 13 colonies in 1775.
• Incredulous at the power of the U.S. nuclear triad of submarines, planes and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
• Shocked that some submarines with over 100 warheads have well over 100 times the destructive force of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
• Aware that the massive military budget has contributed to the decline in educational, medical and happiness indicators compared with many or most Western European nations.
Teens can corroborate most of the above bullet-points in 10 minutes. Have such issues ever been discussed in a presidential debate?
