Sanders says he would be prepared to use military force

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By KEVIN FREKING

WASHINGTON (AP) — International rivals would be mistaken to assume he wouldn't be prepared to use military force if that's what circumstances required, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said in an interview that aired on Sunday.

The Vermont senator says the United States should have the strongest military in the world. The U.S. should be prepared to act when it or its allies are threatened or in response to genocide.

"Yes, there are times when you have to use force. No question about it," Sanders said. "But that should be a last resort."

During his nearly 25 years in Congress, Sanders' record on authorizing military force is mixed. He voted to send troops to Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But he voted against going to war with Iraq in 1991 and again in 2003.

FULL story at link.



FILE - In a Friday, Aug. 28, 2015 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, addresses the summer meeting of the Democratic National Committee, in Minneapolis. Sanders says international rivals would be mistaken to assume he wouldn't use military force if that's what circumstances required. He says the United States should have the strongest military in the world. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/43c07e29bd4d4b6cb95bfab07369d13d/sanders-says-he-would-be-prepared-use-military-force

[AlbertCat]

1. During his nearly 25 years in Congress, Sanders' record on authorizing military force is mixed.

He voted to send troops to Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But he voted against going to war with Iraq in 1991 and again in 2003.


Mixed..... and sensible. Certainly not knee-jerky.

[OnyxCollie]

2. The Executive Branch should always be prepared to use military force.

The Legislative Branch, not so much.

[MisterP]

3. foreign policy is where Langley and Foggy Bottom trapped Carter, too: it's the reformers' pitfall

[7962]

4. Good answer. Afghanistan & Iraq were totally different. nt

[Live and Learn]

5. Aboslutely, last resort and not based on lies. nt

[HappyPlace]

6. He handled the questions well today. (nt)

[AZ Progressive]

7. This is one of the biggest areas where socialists don't like Bernie

But America is an empire, we are trapped in that role. Especially with China and Russia now.

[radiclib]

8. Socialists are pacifists by definition?

I did not know that.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

10. Of course, that's why the USSR had no military.

[Beartracks]

14. Here, you forgot this.

<This service has been provided for the sake of the sarcasm-challenged who may be confused by your post.>

=================

[Spitfire of ATJ]

18. Thanks....

Just in case Trump is reading.

[24601]

23. Socialist Party (USA) Platform is online and addresses lots of things. These are just a few...

"We stand for unconditional disarmament by the United States."
"We call for the disbanding of NATO and all other aggressive military alliances, and the closing of all overseas bases."
"We call for the end of manufacturing and the use of Unmanned Aerial Devices (drones) for the purpose of domestic and international spying and warfare."

Does the last one mean Bernie's standing is in danger?

http://www.socialistparty-usa.net/platform.html

[EX500rider]

27. "We stand for unconditional disarmament by the United States"

Well that should end well......no way China or Russia or hell even North Korea would take advantage of that...lol

[StandingInLeftField]

29. I am hoping that you really don't think Bernie is a member...

…of the Socialist Party - USA?

This is much, much closer: http://www.dsausa.org although I'm not sure whether Bernie has an affiliation or not.

[MyNameGoesHere]

11. I don't think that's the reason

for me it's trying to sell a bill of goods that socialism can exist within the framework of capitalism. Which is just wrong and not honest.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

9. LOL!! The media wants to present all Liberals as pacifists that will get us all killed....

And they call his record "mixed" because he authorized Afghanistan and not Iraq?

I half expect Hillary to AGAIN defend her Iraq War vote with Bushspeak: "If Bernie had his way Saddam would still be in power."

[LiberalElite]

12. For some reason this reminds me - I attended Catholic School and when

Kennedy was running for President our 5th grade teacher (a nun) told us to tell our parents not to vote for Nixon because he was "a Quaker and won't defend the country."

[Spitfire of ATJ]

13. Yup, and the Quakers disowned him for Vietnam.

[L0oniX]

16. Remember when the Quakers were on the terrorist list? What a fucking joke.

[Koinos]

19. Makes sense to me.

Anyone who opposes the military-industrial-financial ruling elite is a terrorist.

How can we make money by war if the pacifists get in the way?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

20. Chicken Hawks are easily terrorized.

[MADem]

30. Well, he was a Bad Quaker from the get-go. He was in the Navy during WW2. nt

[L0oniX]

17. Aftermath: We know if Saddam were still in power all the ISIS shit wouldn't be happening...

and Iran would be held more on defence.

Thanks George W. Bush for all your aid and support for ISIS! Fucking war criminal not held accountable by Obama or anyone else.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

21. The attitude is, "One Saudi rival down, one to go."

[L0oniX]

15. If any "country" attacks "my country" I will fight them. Others can go fish for help from China,

the EU, NATO, etc. No more world police welfare paid for by US tax payers!

[Spitfire of ATJ]

22. I'd start by cleaning up my own house....

http://www.trbimg.com/img-5366a595/turbine/la-na-tt-right-wing-terror-20140416

[mike_c]

24. here's the thing-- when Sen. Sanders say military force is a last resort...

...I believe him. Last resort means last resort. I cannot say that about any other current candidate.

[arcane1]

26. Or any current or recent president, for that matter n/t

[tabasco]

25. Hey dumbass reporter, that's not a "mixed record," that's a CORRECT record

The US was justified to invade Afghanistan but definitely not Iraq. I admire Sanders' good judgment.

[Marrah_G]

28. I have some confidence that he would not easily send our troops to war

I think he would need to feel there was a vital need.