And this is a direct message to Germany...
American bases provide a huge source of income wherever they are located.
Germany is going to lose more money over this than they ever made from helping scam the Iraqi people in the Oil for Food program.
An awakening slap to the face with the same hand used on the face of the UN!
It is time to read the writing on the wall: The EU means to rival us as a strategic power in time. It is best that we realize that now, cease our wishful thinking that we can cajole them into remaining a "junior partner," or for that matter a partner in any true sense of the word, and prepare for the conflicts that must surely come. Certainly we must not subsidize them by undertaking the defense of their homeland whilst they earnestly and ferociously compete with us in the economic, scientific and technological realms. It would clear the air - or at least the rhetoric - if they too clearly saw the true cost of a strategic rivalry with the USA. They seem to think that they can have it both ways.
Both internally and in the world at large, the peoples of the EU are in for a mild shock or two should they actually try to realize their designs for world power. They think that it is easy - really just a matter of more monies, more central control, of just more taxes. Why if those crude, stupid Americicans can do it well just wait until we superior, sophisicated, nuanced Europeans get a crack at it again. We will show those Yanks whatfore!
Brother, are the Europeans in for a surprise! They think that they are still the same Europeans that created the great, golden Europe that we all admire. They think that they can recreate and indeed surpass the great Europe of the 18th and 19th centuries. But that Europe is gone, gone from history as a active, living, vital and creative force. They killed if off themselves almost a hundred years ago. It is not coming back. They shall have to start from scratch. The European does not yet see that.
Four things that could fall out of this could richly amuse Americans:
First, the Euros will find that when the cease to merely nip at the heels of the USA and actually try to act on the world stage that the other peoples of the world will not be all that happy with them. The smug self assuredness and the pompous self importance will quickly melt away once the put armies in the field and they start hearing the cries of "EUro Go Home."
Second, when the do face the real struggle of becoming a true world power we American might actually get some real respect out of the Euros: they may discover that it is not so easy after all.
Third, they think that we are competing as hard with them as they are with us. They will have another thought when we stop pulling punches and go at them full bore as a potential adversary. Other have made this mistake before much to their later regret. Forth, there is real possibility is that they will get themselves in a conflict where the either grossly miscalculate ir outright lose and then find themselves having to ask us to yet again bail them out. Imagine the pleasure we shall have in refusing them?
In line all of this we next need to revisit our strategic policies toward "Old Europe" do we really want to place Germany under our nuclear umbrella? Do we really want to ransom Berlin with New York? Certainly they will not do that for us.
Things should get interesting for the EU if we were to withdraw that guarantee. Would Russia allow a nuclear Germany? Would Eastern Europe? If not then would all of the EU allow France (and perhaps the UK) to provide the nuclear shield? What would our response be to a strategic buildup in the EU?
Interesting times...
We must turn from Europe and build our own unique civilization, build a truly American one. Learn from the past, certainly; preserve what is best in our European heritage and lineage, absolutely. All of this is well and good - we should now realize, however, that Europe has little left to teach us or the broader world at large and that what is does teach is more of an cautionary example than anything otherwise.
We must make our own way. It will be a chalange. It will be wonderful. It will change history.
As well as cheap cigarettes and liquor.