Jeff Stoffer, Media and Communications Director for the American Legion, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the April issue of the American Legion Magazine.
Stoffer spoke about an article titled “Stress Test,” which explores how the pandemic has exposed serious flaws in the nations supply chain. The American economy is in a unique position in history and faces critical challenges, he said. There is talk about reshoring American manufacturing to mitigate critical shortages, but Stoffer questioned whether the country has the workforce necessary to fulfill those jobs. Ultimately, it will depend on the quality of the pay and benefits offered in a retooled manufacturing sector, he noted.
The second article was “Under the Cloud,” which explored Operation Dominic, the series of 31 nuclear tests that took place during the Kennedy Administration, following the end of a test moratorium. The author was an engineer who took part in nuclear testing for the federal government. As the American Legion was preparing to go to press with the April issue, Russia invaded Ukraine and Putin placed Russian nuclear forces on high alert. It was ominous to find the world was once again facing a precarious time with the apparent resurgence of the Cold War, Stoffer said.
Stoffer then discussed the war in Ukraine and an American Legion resolution that lists the conditions the organization deems necessary for the U.S. to engage with a country militarily. A clear statement would need to be made by the President to show why any action is vital to the national interest. Guidelines would need to identify a clear exit strategy, as the American Legion opposes “forever wars,” and the U.S. Congress would ultimately need to authorize military force. Most importantly, peace should always be sought if possible, he said. Nobody hates war more than a military veteran, he added.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics:
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