Horses & Bayonets: A Metaphor for Election Half Truths

Horses & Bayonets, the line from the debate can be held up as a metaphor for the current US Election. On the surface a self evident witty reply in an otherwise rather lackluster debate, but on closer examination not a statement that stands up to any scr

utiny.

In short: Based on the current size of the United States Army and Marine Corps compared to the relatively small pre World War One US Military, and given the fact that every US Infantry soldier or Marine is issued one and taught how to use it: While definitely having fewer if any horses the United States likely DOES actually have more bayonets than it did a hundred years ago.

So the statement, while a great debate line is only half true and does not stand up to scrutiny.

The truth is, regardless of who wins Tuesday’s election, there will not be much of a change in American foreign policy, at least not in the early years.