Keep bases here, Germany implores U.S.

AP Wire | March 28 2004 | MELISSA EDDY/AP

[Eccl 10:2]

No matter what, we Americans are damned if we do and damned if we don't. Which is the EXACT reason why the US should only do things that are in our best interest on the interational stage. Any positive effects on other countries should take a back seat to US interests.

Agreed. We have to lead, not follow. We don't owe anybody anything. We have to go where we're wanted and appreciated, not where we are made to feel obligated.

[Alouette]

We thought you didn't like "Occupation"

[vanmorrison]

Let us not forget that Chancellor Schroeder won the last election with his incessant America-bashing, and the majority of Krauts ate it up. Let us also not forget that whenever a poll is taken, the numbers of Krauts who label the US as a worse threat than al-Qaida is in the plus-70 percent range. And surely let us not forget the way the Krauts have aligned themselves with the odious Frogs in harming us in the UN and NATO whenever the chips are down. There may be a few locals near our bases who are concerned that their gravy train is coming to stop. I say, "Tough S**t!"

[Broadside Joe]

"Was that the question or was that not the question?"

It was a simple question that only requires a yes or no.

The next question is wether you will answer or not.

[armymarinemom]

Well gosh maybe I wasn't the only person who wrote the German government a nasty letter. Protests were so bad outside of Wiesbaden's gates before my son left Germany for Iraq that they were all told not to leave the base their last few weeks before deployment. I sat down and wrote German officials that I would not be visiting their country after he returned if we would feel as if we had to be locked on a base during our entire visit. Our family included a WWII veteran who helped liberate their country. It was not lost on us that it was a shame that a liberator no longer felt the need to visit them due to the treatment their citizens imposed on one of his descendants.

[Godfollow]

Let them eat cake...

[vanmorrison]

...That was a good one!

[norton]

"it may be only a short time before there is a military effort to force dissenting nations to buckle under to the EU's whims."

That's certainly a possibility but I'd argue in return that such events should be left entirely up to the euros to resolve.

Putting our folks in between forces fighting what would at that point be a civil war would only get us more despised. As to the deterrent effect they might provide by just sitting there; that's bound to cause tension with the federation minded elite in europe.

I don't see any benefit in holding troops hostage over a bygone alliance.

[rrrod]

well stated and true....let no one ever doubt which side the majority of germans are on..and it aint our side!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Old Europe and all of that.

[MissAmericanPie]

Maybe it wasn't so smart for Germany to send it's Defense Minister to China to discuss how to stop the USofA from building a missile defense system. Or, maybe it wasn't so smart for Germany to refuse to sell subs to Tiawan, after we were nice enough to prop up their economy by throwing our sub building business to Germany.

What's happened with Germany is a glaring example of what is wrong with the idea of America instigating a global economy. In closing American industry and giving Germany the monopoly on sub building, Washington found that it's hands were tied when it came time to allow Tiawan to buy the equipment neccessary to keep China at bay.

The only thing that has changed about the aggressive German mindset is the absense of a Hitler.

[Thommas]

Vie hate you schtinken Americaners, mit your Democratischen vays und Unilateral akshuns. Sheisse uber Sie!

Vat? You vant to schcram and taken seine geld mitten Sie? Er.. Say, good buddies, all is forgiven. We love you! Its just the lousy government we voted for that wishes you ill.

Hmmm. Sorry, Schultzie. The billions we sent to your rich country as political welfare didn't mean squat when the chips were down and we needed your support. So, now its time to cut the umbilical cord and you can rebuild your military (much to the joy of your new fremden, the French.)

Hehe. Yeah, your new buddies across the border should celebrate your soon-to-be reformed military muscle. They can also arrogantly wave their testicles in our general direction while Deutchland flexes some real, unrestrained muscle in the EU.

Looks like a win-win scenerio to me.

[YankeeReb]

Let me get this straight...the reason the Germans want our bases there is ....for defense?...no, no it's to keep their economy afloat. So in other words the US armed forces are fufilling the Xlintoon docterine of being an international meals-on-wheels program.

Well, hate to break it to you Europe, but those bases were there to defend you in the days of the Cold War, that's over so its time the troops came home (after 60 years). It's now time for the Europeans to start fielding their own military, something a little bigger than the large city police forces you currently field. You want to be taken seriously, start paying for your own defense, we're done. We're doing the heavy lifting in the mid-east, time for you to start defending your own backyard.

[Libertina]

The one common denominator of closed bases in the US is encroachment on 4 sides. Here in Wa state Ft. Lewis/Mchord has 3, with people not paying attention. Mr. Gary Brackett & some friends have finally been able to drive home the very real threat of closure. The (D) Governor, Gary No-see-'em Locke finally signed a bill protecting them from such encroachment, we'll see if it goes far enough to protect our bases.

In Pierce County, about 40% of our economy is military related - either in direct work or support services. The biggest nincompoop idea is a push (by developers both D & R) to actually cut a road THROUGH the base so as to make a shortcut for a few communters.

Yes, that ought to go over well. In the meantime politicians cover their eyes and pretend... Just as they did while Boeing - born in Washington - MOVED to CHICAGO. Shouldn't their be a basic intellignece test that must be passed by public officials? Or Economics 101?

[rrrod]

may i suggest the germans invite their terrorist buddies to come in

[jpl]

There is really a pathetic element to this whole situation. The western European nations depend so heavily on us economically and for their virtually nonexistent defense, yet deep down they really resent us and at times actually hate our guts. It's not healthy, and it's probably time for the umbilical cord to be broken.

[doug9732]

In just a few generations the Germans have gone from being menacing to downright pathetic.

[Robert Teesdale]

Germany? Germany, are you listening?

NO.

There, that settles it.

[Letitring]

I just thank God for a President who puts the needs of America FIRST. It's way past time, imo.

Germany needs to tend to itself. I'm tired of standing with Countries who slam us every chance they get. Obviously, our needs and interest are not being met in Germany, and it's time to move on. :)