Decline of the USA & Advancing China
by Bob McDowell, Contributing Author: History has recorded that each time the US has finished a major war, during which the military has been built up to substantial size, a major draw-down in size and capability for defense has occurred. In previous centuries, up to the twentieth, this did not seem to be a poor action since by our very nature as a "Representative Republic" we have been a peace loving nation and people.
However, the nature of the World has become such that it does not seem to be prudent since the end of World War I in 1919. An example of this is the attack by the ‘Imperial Japanese Navy’ on Pearl Harbor on Sunday Morning, December 7, 1941.
Before WWI, there had usually been some inference that we might become involved in national disagreements leading up to actual combat, This would lead to elected officials to begin preparations both for better protection and defense of the Nation by of our military personnel.
Even after WW II massive amounts of equipment and supplies were simply left where they stopped overseas to rot, were dumped into the ocean, or given to the natives as it was considered too expensive to return them home and store.
Even so, such conduct has proven to be rather deadly to our military that might be left in far flung outposts and might need such equipment on short notice. But what has turned out to be even worse is the dispersion of major investment facilities that common sense would dictate should not be disposed of.
One such case is the Panama Canal. Less than two years ago a "This date in history" column in our daily newspaper addressed "1913 - Canal Finished." In a single paragraph it noted that the construction of the Panama Canal had cost $375 million dollars and that the U.S. had taken over the project in 1901 after the French had failed. It further noted that it was considered by President Theodore Roosevelt to be of vital importance that the USA would be in control which proved to be totally accurate in both WW I and WW II. Our Navy ships we able to rapidly traverse the two sides of the American Continent.
It was my privilege and pleasure in the late 1980s to be on a cruise through the Canal. My engineering mind marveled at the manner and ease in which the massive gates on the locks worked and the obviously massive undertaking that resulted in the creation of this facility. I spent the whole transit through the Panama Canal on the bow of the "Cunard Princess" while loudspeakers carried the narration by a guide who detailed the Canal’s development and operation.
I learned in the Tulsa Public Schools during the 1930s that we had a 99 year renewable lease from the government of Panama on the strip of land called "The Zone" and it was therefore ‘US Territory.’ And, people born there were US citizens and eligible to serve as President. Thus our primary rights extended to the year 2000.
Then during the 1977-81 term of Democrat “Jimmy” Carter and a graduate of the Naval Academy and subsequent ‘atomic submarine power officer,’ Carter suddenly terminated the lease and returned control to the Panama government. Panama then proceeded to execute a lease to the government of Communist China, a sworn enemy of the USA.
Now, on June 27, 2016, a new story appeared reported that new locks or even a new bigger canal through Nicaragua called the Interoceanic Grand Canal (controlled by China for 50 years is needed needed to be able to accept the ‘158-foot-wide, 984-foot-long’ container ships owned by the Chinese government and the world’s newer aircraft carriers.
At the time the lease was terminated, it appeared to me to be a stupid, if not treasonous action. It now appears that I was right. We are in enough danger in this World without such carelessness, and possibly actions threatening our military and the citizens of the USA. Consider well who will be voting for as President of the USA.
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Robert "Bob" McDowell, Jr. is a retired Professional Engineer and Geologist with over 50 years experience in creating drilling prospects, supervising drilling, well completion, production operation, and pipeline design for oil and gas including repair of problem wells. McDowell is a conservative activist and member of the Oklahoma Republican Assembly. He Contributes opinion and commentary articles to the ARRA News Service.
Tags: Bob McDowell, Oklahoma, Decline of USA, Panama Canal, Nicaragua Interoceanic Grand Canal, Chinese Threat To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
However, the nature of the World has become such that it does not seem to be prudent since the end of World War I in 1919. An example of this is the attack by the ‘Imperial Japanese Navy’ on Pearl Harbor on Sunday Morning, December 7, 1941.
Before WWI, there had usually been some inference that we might become involved in national disagreements leading up to actual combat, This would lead to elected officials to begin preparations both for better protection and defense of the Nation by of our military personnel.
Even after WW II massive amounts of equipment and supplies were simply left where they stopped overseas to rot, were dumped into the ocean, or given to the natives as it was considered too expensive to return them home and store.
Even so, such conduct has proven to be rather deadly to our military that might be left in far flung outposts and might need such equipment on short notice. But what has turned out to be even worse is the dispersion of major investment facilities that common sense would dictate should not be disposed of.
One such case is the Panama Canal. Less than two years ago a "This date in history" column in our daily newspaper addressed "1913 - Canal Finished." In a single paragraph it noted that the construction of the Panama Canal had cost $375 million dollars and that the U.S. had taken over the project in 1901 after the French had failed. It further noted that it was considered by President Theodore Roosevelt to be of vital importance that the USA would be in control which proved to be totally accurate in both WW I and WW II. Our Navy ships we able to rapidly traverse the two sides of the American Continent.
It was my privilege and pleasure in the late 1980s to be on a cruise through the Canal. My engineering mind marveled at the manner and ease in which the massive gates on the locks worked and the obviously massive undertaking that resulted in the creation of this facility. I spent the whole transit through the Panama Canal on the bow of the "Cunard Princess" while loudspeakers carried the narration by a guide who detailed the Canal’s development and operation.
I learned in the Tulsa Public Schools during the 1930s that we had a 99 year renewable lease from the government of Panama on the strip of land called "The Zone" and it was therefore ‘US Territory.’ And, people born there were US citizens and eligible to serve as President. Thus our primary rights extended to the year 2000.
Then during the 1977-81 term of Democrat “Jimmy” Carter and a graduate of the Naval Academy and subsequent ‘atomic submarine power officer,’ Carter suddenly terminated the lease and returned control to the Panama government. Panama then proceeded to execute a lease to the government of Communist China, a sworn enemy of the USA.
Now, on June 27, 2016, a new story appeared reported that new locks or even a new bigger canal through Nicaragua called the Interoceanic Grand Canal (controlled by China for 50 years is needed needed to be able to accept the ‘158-foot-wide, 984-foot-long’ container ships owned by the Chinese government and the world’s newer aircraft carriers.
At the time the lease was terminated, it appeared to me to be a stupid, if not treasonous action. It now appears that I was right. We are in enough danger in this World without such carelessness, and possibly actions threatening our military and the citizens of the USA. Consider well who will be voting for as President of the USA.
---------------
Robert "Bob" McDowell, Jr. is a retired Professional Engineer and Geologist with over 50 years experience in creating drilling prospects, supervising drilling, well completion, production operation, and pipeline design for oil and gas including repair of problem wells. McDowell is a conservative activist and member of the Oklahoma Republican Assembly. He Contributes opinion and commentary articles to the ARRA News Service.
Tags: Bob McDowell, Oklahoma, Decline of USA, Panama Canal, Nicaragua Interoceanic Grand Canal, Chinese Threat To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
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