military expenditures

[msdogfood]

hmm not good!!.

[bush_cheney2004]

The definition of superpower doesn't do me any good here, since it is an all encompassing term, and I was never implying we were powerful in that sense....

Correct...superpower is an "apex" term....Canada does not meet the criteria. Historically, Canada is a "middle power"...and that's OK.

[DogOnPorch]

There was a brief moment in late WW2 where Canada had a very large military. Carriers, 4 engine bombers n' all as we've discussed before. That was about as 'superpower' as we've ever been.

[Smallc]

Correct...superpower is an "apex" term.

The terms energy superpower and economic superpower are quite real Twice Stephen Harper has called Canada an energy superpower (Which we are) and more than once I've heard Canada referred to as an economic superpower in the media. In military terms, we're definitely only a middle power.

[bush_cheney2004]

The terms energy superpower and economic superpower are quite real Twice Stephen Harper has called Canada an energy superpower (Which we are) and more than once I've heard Canada referred to as an economic superpower in the media. In military terms, we're definitely only a middle power.

That's fine...and Fiji is a "coconut superpower". PM Harper can parse the term for his purposes as Canada ranks in the top five for total energy production as of 2007, but that does not an unqualified, unhyphenated "Superpower" make.

[DogOnPorch]

Superpower means being able to project MILITARY force aound the globe...land, sea or sky.

[DogOnPorch]

Superior military force that is.

Oh...and it would be land sea sky and space, now.

Edited March 1, 2010 by DogOnPorch

[Smallc]

Superpower means being able to project MILITARY force

And I'm not at all talking about superpower. I'm talking about something completely different.

[Smallc]

.

Edited March 1, 2010 by Smallc

[DogOnPorch]

And I'm not at all talking about superpower. I'm talking about something completely different.

Oh...alright.

Like being an 'economic superpower'?

[Smallc]

Yes in fact. Canada projects influence in many ways, most of them stronger than it's military projection power (although, we are one of not that many countries that actually can project military power over distance).

Economic Superpower: nation with a strong economy which influences the economies of other countries, nation with great financial power and resources

Edited March 1, 2010 by Smallc

[Moonbox]

Well that's a load o' crapolla.

http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/

It wasn't crapola. There isn't a single nation out there with anything to match a Nimitz, much less the new carriers coming off the docks.

And to BushCheney, I didn't say the carriers are irrelevant. I said I don't really care whose carriers they are as long as they keep commerce safe for Canadians. If the Americans want to foot the bill for this expense, I'm happy to let them, though I do feel you shoulder most of the cost while everyone reaps the benefits.

[DogOnPorch]

It wasn't crapola. There isn't a single nation out there with anything to match a Nimitz, much less the new carriers coming off the docks.

And to BushCheney, I didn't say the carriers are irrelevant. I said I don't really care whose carriers they are as long as they keep commerce safe for Canadians. If the Americans want to foot the bill for this expense, I'm happy to let them, though I do feel you shoulder most of the cost while everyone reaps the benefits.

That's, frankly, not America's problem. Other countries are free to build them...the Washington Treaty is no longer in effect.

My link shows many nations operate aircraft carriers. Live with it.

Spain for example. The Príncipe de Asturias is one of the coolest jump-carriers out there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_aircraft_carrier_Principe_de_Asturias

[DogOnPorch]

Yes in fact. Canada projects influence in many ways, most of them stronger than it's military projection power (although, we are one of not that many countries that actually can project military power over distance).

Economic Superpower: nation with a strong economy which influences the economies of other countries, nation with great financial power and resources

Problem is...during a conflict, being an economic superpower amounts to a hill of beans if your shipping is being sent to Davy Jone's Locker.

[Smallc]

Problem is...during a conflict, being an economic superpower amounts to a hill of beans if your shipping is being sent to Davy Jone's Locker.

That's right, and I never said we had a great deal of capability outside of economics. When it comes to military power, we are a middle power with the ability to project force.

[Smallc]

It wasn't crapola. There isn't a single nation out there with anything to match a Nimitz, much less the new carriers coming off the docks.

The French and Russians each have 1 very large carrier (though not as big as those in the US. The Queen Elizabeth Class will be large...though whether the UK will actually keep both of them or put fixed wing aircraft on them is in question.

[DogOnPorch]

The French and Russians each have 1 very large carrier (though not as big as those in the US. The Queen Elizabeth Class will be large...though whether the UK will actually keep both of them or put fixed wing aircraft on them is in question.

Frankly, the last folks to match the US re: carriers was Imperial Japan. Carriers not protected by sub-screens, destroyer pickets, cruisers (et al) just end up sunk While many nations could build a Nimitz sized carrier...it's all the other ships needed that makes one think twice about such a huge undertaking and investment.

Edited March 1, 2010 by DogOnPorch