“The partisans of the left have always hated the military and sought to cut the resources devoted to it. Why? Their vision of a society after the Revolution is actually highly militarized in a Stalinist fashion and the military itself in America is no direct political threat since it submits to civilian authority.”

They hate the military, think of them as thugs and hillbillies. But they have a tiny nagging doubt that the US Army is overall a noble force that promotes stability. And if the US saves the lives of 100,000 tsunami victims, oh, look the other way.
It turns out the “Reality Based Community” wishes their own personal reality is spread to the rest of us. Why should someone admit they’re wrong when they can hope the situation eventually resembles the perception?