Perry warns of military 'adventurism'
(CNN) - Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry appeared before a ballroom of veterans Monday as the governor of Texas, but used the platform to deliver a national message on foreign policy and war strategy.
Speaking before the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in San Antonio, Texas, Perry said the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks should cue a renewed commitment against America's enemies, "wherever they are, before they strike at home."
However, he said American soldiers should only go to battle when "our vital interests are threatened."
"I do not believe America should fall subject to a foreign policy of military adventurism," Perry said. "We should always look to build coalitions among the nations to protect the mutual interests of freedom loving people."
"It's not our interest to go it alone," Perry added.
Perry, the son of a World War II veteran, was commissioned in the Air Force after college graduation, eventually leaving with the rank of captain having never served in active combat.
The longest serving Lone Star governor said America's allies should be involved in a decision to engage in military missions, but that ultimately that responsibility falls to the United States.
"We cannot concede the moral authority of our nation to multi-lateral debating societies," Perry said. "When our interests are threatened, American soldiers should be led by American commanders."
Perry used his remarks at the four day convention, where fellow Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will appear Tuesday, to announce a $3 million housing grant program for veterans in the state.
"Housing for heroes will help ensure veterans and their families have adequate housing as they ease back into civilian life and enjoy the blessings of liberty they earned with their valor and their sacrifice," Perry said.
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Exactly what Obama has been doing an all of you republicans were out decrying his "nation building".
Probably the only position I agree. The rest are way too extreme.
Veteran benefits are a sham, their benefit was the paycheck they recieved, nothing more should be -given-.
The longest serving Lone Star governor said America's allies should be involved in a decision to engage in military missions, but that ultimately that responsibility falls to the United States.
Why are military missions America's responsibility? Why can't people take responsibility for their own countries? These slime balls sure love war. I can't wait until these self-serving governors are all gone (Perry first). I only hope we can survive until then.
The longest serving Lone Star governor said America's allies should be involved in a decision to engage in military missions, but that ultimately that responsibility falls to the United States.
"We cannot concede the moral authority of our nation to multi-lateral debating societies," Perry said. "When our interests are threatened, American soldiers should be led by American commanders."
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EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lest we find ourselves bombing Syria or any other country where people are protesting and being attacked. A totally absurd threshold for the use of our military.
Rick just took a page out of President Obama's military strategy. Rick, is telling veterans that he will be like our president, and that is the sincerest form of flattery to President Obama.
Oh, but pre-emptive wars against nameless, faceless enemies (the so-called 'War on Terror')... THAT isnt 'Military adventurism', now is it?
Funny how two-faced these guys can be. They're against these expensive wars, but will jump on the 'bomb Iran' bandwagon in a nanosecond. They defend states' rights tooth and nail, till someone mentions gay marriage or pot legalization, then they fall back in line so fast they get whiplash.
Their views are stalwart and firm. And will always match the latest polling results. Even if it's different than last week.
Lying, two-faced, hypocritical, attention-seeking, weaseling, media hogs. More flip-flopping than a school of fish on dry land.
"having never served in active combat" seems to be a common trait of Perry's resume. His poor grades in college are unacceptable!
Gee is housing for Veterans an addition to the debt ceiling? I can't imagine the Tea baggers approving such a move. After all our vets should fend for themselves. Less government intervention and handouts. Let's hold them to their words.
So, Mr. Perry, are you going TO ATTACK ANOTHER WRONG COUNTRY?
.
Will you give your allegiance to the CSA or the USA; to the confederate constitution or the US constitution?
.
You are from the state of Dubya – HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT, BUBBA?
Sounds a lot like Georgw Bush to me, I don't care who he calls himself or liken himself to, this is right out of W playbook.Americans don't want to ride that bus again.
ok.. now lets get the hell out of afangistan ....obama why are we still there... why are americans still dying there...osoma is dead... any more deaths will be obama fault for not getting our troops home... being there is stupid , and wasteful..
Sounds to me like he`s just "making speeches" about something he`s never experienced.
He`s lifting the very best of what President Obama has implimented and pontificating against every mistake that Bush committed. Just how hard is it to do that?
No wonder this guy got "D"`s in college. He copies / plagerises [sp] from the "smart kid" in class and avoids what the "not-so-smart kid" did. Unfortunately, to be a leader, you have to be capable of formulating an ORIGINAL THOUGHT.
Rick, CAN YOU do that?
From these soundbites, I think he just google a speech on foreign affairs.
It's all a bunch fo dogwhistling misperceptions of what actually took place in terms of Libya. The US in no way "conceded authority" to the UN or NATO in Libya and not a single US soldier or commander was under the jurisdiction or command authority of a foreign entity. NONE. Of course, explaining this accurately is anathema to CNN and the rest of the mainstream media because allowing the confusion and misperceptions to exist allows the controversy to be perseverated and the profit thereby perpetuated.
Sounds like a copy cat idea to me. President Obama has already implemented this in his foreign policy (Mr. Perry check out the current Libiyian strategy).
Is this a rebuke of the GOP and the Bush Administration???
So. . . participating in NATO missions is "adventurism" in GObP baffle speak!
Be very, very careful about giving this current batch of Party of NO hopefuls any time or space. Leading us back to the dark ages is NOT an acceptable alternative to fighting off a recession, trying to get a handle on the deficit and bringing the US back into a position of confidence on the world stage!
Perry may be the longest serving Governor in Texas however, he won his last election with 39% of the vote because it was a Three way race, that means that 61% of the voters did not vote for him. Kinky Friedman got into the race for the express purpose of splitting the vote. Perry is a fraud and a liar.
What are our "vital interests?" Protecting the homeland, protecting the oil flow, keeping others from being killed in genocide? What – why is the follow up question never, "What do you consider "our vital interest?"
Yep, like in Iraq, right Parry? Cheap shots or not, the way Obama handled US involvement in Libya was a 100% success. Not a single American life lost, minimal cost – and a dictator toppled.