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Comment by mthoms | Hacker News Reader

>How many times has Spain been attacked? Not a great argument.

It's a perfect argument. You declared that Spain (and Portugal) would likely not help in a NATO action. Yet, recent history proves you directly and unequivocally wrong. Spanish blood was spilled to prove that point, so maybe have some respect?

>How many times has Spain been attacked? Not a great argument.

>...

>And Spain in particular is unwilling to increase defense spending - why is that?

You answered your own question. Well done.

Note: I'm not supporting their decision, just pointing out that it's arguably quite rational from a certain point of view.

Lastly, the linked article still doesn't say what you claimed it said. If you were responding to a falsehood, that doesn't excuse confidently posting another falsehood.

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> It's a perfect argument. You declared that Spain (and Portugal) would likely not help in a NATO action. Yet, recent history proves you directly and unequivocally wrong. Spanish blood was spilled to prove that point, so maybe have some respect?

Not all wars are created equal. It’s not the same thing. You either are unrealistic about how the world works or you’re just arguing for the sake of arguing.

> Lastly, the linked article still doesn't say what you claimed it said. If you were responding to a falsehood, that doesn't excuse confidently posting another falsehood.

> Portugal and Canada also both lost interest in American F-35s recently.

Canada’s military

> we Strongly recommend and encourage buying F-35s

But hey you know at least I provided a source… so I’ll just throw the OP’s claim away since they are unable to provide a source.

> You answered your own question. Well done.

Yes, and it demonstrated the point that I made. QED

>Not all wars are created equal. It’s not the same thing. You either are unrealistic about how the world works or you’re just arguing for the sake of arguing.

It's very simple. You said you didn't think Spain would ever "fight alongside US forces in Europe or elsewhere". I pointed out that recent history unequivocally proves you wrong. But instead of conceding the point you're changing the criteria to some imaginary scenario that makes it impossible for anyone to counter-argue.

So yes, you're right... I have no idea how Spain would respond to some imaginary scenario playing out in your head right now. But I do know what their actual, historical record is. There are dead and maimed soldiers that prove it.

It's such a disgrace for American civilians to make up some vague hidden criteria for why allied deaths and injuries don't "count". Furthermore, it's exactly this kind of demeaning talk that might makes allies not want to help in the future.

>Yes, and it demonstrated the point that I made.

Lol. Sure.

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