how great our federal government is,

When did I say the federal, or any other level of our government is "great"? nowhere. My point is simply that there are ample cases that show that government, can, and does, get it right. Your argument that the government "can't get it done" is obvious nonsense.

During the Iraq war, there has been a lot of talk about the amazing advances in battlefield medicine, how we can now save men who would not have had a chance before. Socialized medicine provided by the US government. Your contempt for the doctors who treat wounded combat troops under difficult conditions is noted.

coming from someone on record as spending the last couple years on this site, telling us all what a bunch of screwups those reps of the federal government are?

The federal government is a large, complex institution. The screwups I have been talking about are the incopetent hacks in the Bush administration. The fact that they are clowns does not mean that no one in the government can do a good job. Even a few of Bush's men are top notch, such as Gates and Paulsen.

That's an interesting point, actually, but I suppose that to depend on how you measure it. For example, how much of the operational funds for the local government bus system comes form the federal government?

So, this is your measure now? Well then let me ask you how much of the operational funds for the US military comes from the federal government?
Spin, spin, spin.

We had a federal military for all but our very earliest history but it was a small one. But you're right that most of our military forces were state controlled for generations. The Militia Act of 1903, better known as the Dick Act, federalized the various state militia and put us on the road to the current understanding.

That was, I hasten to point out, more than a century ago.

The point I have been less than direct about making, here is that is the traditional and constitutional role of the military. The founders never intended a large standing army, and we as a nation got around that problem to a large degree by the states maintaining them.

It is now an iffy proposition from a constitutional standpoint because so fa r as I'm aware, the 1903 act has never been tested.

You said government can't get it done. You did not specify which level

Well, you keep dancing on that pin, there, Anjin. Meantime, let's break this out;

We have the finest military in the world, by orders of magnitude. We put a man on the moon, which no one else has managed to do in the many years since.

Your claim is that the military is the federal government. And who is it that runs the military by your lights? Who ruins NASA, Anjin? Therefore, what were we talking about? Clearly, the topic was the Federal government.

And isn't it interesting that such an avid defense of the military being under the wing of the federal government and how great our federal government is, should be coming from someone on record as spending the last couple years on this site, telling us all what a bunch of screwups those reps of the federal government are?

Hard working prosecuters going after criminals and corruption.

Nifong!! (Sniffle) "scuse me.

Public transit generally isn't federal ..

That's an interesting point, actually, but I suppose that to depend on how you measure it. For example, how much of the operational funds for the local government bus system comes form the federal government? The local light rail?

I suppose that to depend on what government you're talking about. Certainly, not the federal government.

Well, the conversation seemed to be about gov't in general, not specifically federal government. Public transit generally isn't federal ...

The Militia Act of 1903

This is interesting, and leads to the observation that the true ascent of the US armed forces took place AFTER federalization.

The police and fire most certainly are not part of the federal government.

Who said they were? Not me. Typical bit stuff. Your argument got shredded, so now you are making crap up to try to cloud the issue.

To quote Bit himself:

Government can't get it done

You said government can't get it done. You did not specify which level. Are you now saying state and local governments rock?

Clearly, we have a lot of fine police and fire departments in this country. Local governments, getting the job done, working hard to keep us safe. Hard working prosecuters going after criminals and corruption.

The county hospital here is keeping one of my relatives alive. In many ways, I think they do a better job than the local hospital I use thru my insurance. And this is a hospital in a very wealthy community, with a standard of care much higher than average. Yet our county hospital is superior in several areas.

even now that 's a rather iffy posposition

No, its not. If you think it is, you need to get a firmer grip on reality.

As for he military, they WERE not, until post civil war days, and even now that 's a rather iffy posposition.

We had a federal military for all but our very earliest history but it was a small one. But you're right that most of our military forces were state controlled for generations. The Militia Act of 1903, better known as the Dick Act, federalized the various state militia and put us on the road to the current understanding.

That was, I hasten to point out, more than a century ago.

As for he military, they WERE not, until post civil war days, and even now that 's a rather iffy posposition. But, pelase do keep ingnoring the histirical and constitutional perspectives.

And I didn't call for help Najin... I was expressing some suprise that he'd not chimed in, is all. I'm not convinced, for example that I'd want to rely on your own military understanding.

So, you were not specifying the military as being part of the federal government?
How unsurpisingly weak.

Lame Bit, even by your standards. From my earlier post:

The U.S. Military central organization is the U.S. Department of Defense.

There are three main departments within the Department of Defense, which is a cabinet level Departments within the U.S. Government, overseen by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF)..

Look Bit, your argument was so pathetic that when you called on James to support it, he stepped in and pulled you up short. Your probably embarrassed, as well you should be. But by all means, keep digging...

You'd best hope nobody reads the rest of my response, there.

Hey, broadcast the rest of your response on Fox with the rest of the nonsense. The military is part of the government. The funds that support it come from the treasury. Military personnel get socialized government medical care. Your attempt to read the minds of the founding fathers changes none of this.

As for,

I suppose that to depend on what government you're talking about. Certainly, not the federal government.

You have been railing about "government" to quote you:

hihs is "Government can't get it done

You drew no distinction between federal/state/local in your remarks, so don't try and inject one after the fact to prop up your failed argument.

I think you have to play around with words to not include fire, police and the military as part of the gov't.

I suppose that to depend on what government you're talking about. Certainly, not the federal government.

Bit, don't try and weasel away from your own words, just put on the dunce cap and go stand in the corner for a while.

Nice try, Anjin. You'd best hope nobody reads the rest of my response, there.

No.
They serve at the pleasure of the government.There's a difference

That relationship is still far less than direct.

>Well, look, I don't fully disagree

Bit, don't try and weasel away from your own words, just put on the dunce cap and go stand in the corner for a while.