I was for pulling troops out of Europe

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: Klixxer
The phillipines are comparable to Germany? Surely you are joking?

No I am not comparing the two. I'm stating that the US presence in the Phillipines contributes over a billion dollars to their economy. The German economy is obviously much bigger, but so is the US military presence. In fact, I think they have over 70 facilities. I"m not sure about that though. I even read an article that says how 10,000 soldiers and their dependents in one town contributed $150 million! We're not talking about chump change here.

Read my post again, Germany are doing much better than before, if we could just get rid of the vast amount of crime around the bases (a hint is 60-85% of all crimes commited by foreign soldiers around bases.) we could be golden.

Do you have a link for 60-85% of the crime? I'm willing to guess that the benefits outweigh the costs or else the German leaders and people wouldn't be basically begging to keep the US.

The german leaders are directly elected (not some fubared system that lets the candidate who has less population votes win) and we have confidence in them for a reason.

Well we know what the German people's reputation is about easily being brainwashed and falling for propaganda. The presence of a foreign country can give them as well as others around the world ease of mind. Perhaps an international force should be placed in Germany if the US vacates.

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose

Well we know what the German people's reputation is about easily being brainwashed and falling for propaganda. The presence of a foreign country can give them as well as others around the world ease of mind. Perhaps an international force should be placed in Germany if the US vacates.

:thumbsup:

 

[Klixxer]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose

Originally posted by: Klixxer
The phillipines are comparable to Germany? Surely you are joking?

No I am not comparing the two. I'm stating that the US presence in the Phillipines contributes over a billion dollars to their economy. The German economy is obviously much bigger, but so is the US military presence. In fact, I think they have over 70 facilities. I"m not sure about that though. I even read an article that says how 10,000 soldiers and their dependents in one town contributed $150 million! We're not talking about chump change here.

Read my post again, Germany are doing much better than before, if we could just get rid of the vast amount of crime around the bases (a hint is 60-85% of all crimes commited by foreign soldiers around bases.) we could be golden.

Do you have a link for 60-85% of the crime? I'm willing to guess that the benefits outweigh the costs or else the German leaders and people wouldn't be basically begging to keep the US.

The german leaders are directly elected (not some fubared system that lets the candidate who has less population votes win) and we have confidence in them for a reason.

Well we know what the German people's reputation is about easily being brainwashed and falling for propaganda. The presence of a foreign country can give them as well as others around the world ease of mind. Perhaps an international force should be placed in Germany if the US vacates.

i started reading your post from the top and wrote a lenghty reply, then i got to your last sentence and i realize that your entire post is either satirical or you are completely stupid.

IOW, your post does not require a reply, it is stupid enough to just stand against itself.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Too bad, you should have posted your reply. Just because you don't think that the German government need some form of 'policing' doesn't mean that nobody else thinks it does. I'm sure that many people would breath a collective sigh of relief if forces are there to keep things in check.

 

[Klixxer]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
Too bad, you should have posted your reply. Just because you don't think that the German government need some form of 'policing' doesn't mean that nobody else thinks it does. I'm sure that many people would breath a collective sigh of relief if forces are there to keep things in check.

It's kinda fun to be the master and look down at the servants, as the only superpower isn't it?

We need policing? excuse me but we are not the ones who started a war based on false evidence.

And that was not why i thourht your point was stupid, well, it was part of it, but us "brainwashed Germans" ehhh. What am i supposed to respond to that othere than this is not the 40's and that the nazis are more prevalent in California than in Germany, of course, you will just think up something new.

I am tired, i am a jew, i live in Berlin but i come from Finland, my grandparents were saved from Hitler despite your lazy asses.

I love it how the US acts high and mighty after Roosevelt said "europes war is not our war" and only went into combat when Nazi Germany declared war on the US, the US NEVER declared war on Nazi Germany and if not for the pearl harbour attack i would either not exist or be Russian at this point.

So take your righteousness and shove it up your ass.

I am sorry for being harsh and i actually thought you came up with some excellent points, then this bs, i am sorry but i don't do idiocy and i won't respond to any reply, so go ahead and have fun.

 

[RabidMongoose]

It's kinda fun to be the master and look down at the servants, as the only superpower isn't it?

I'm not looking at this from the perspective as the world's only superpower. The entire world suffered horrible losses due to Germany's past. I can see why many would be relieved to have a foreign military presence in Germany.

We need policing? excuse me but we are not the ones who started a war based on false evidence.

Not policing in the sense that you think I'm saying...that's why I had it in quotes. Just a presence if history repeats itself again, which it has repeated in the past.

And that was not why i thourht your point was stupid, well, it was part of it, but us "brainwashed Germans" ehhh. What am i supposed to respond to that othere than this is not the 40's and that the nazis are more prevalent in California than in Germany, of course, you will just think up something new.

Link about the nazis in California in Germany please. Anyways, there is a clear history of falling for propaganda. This simply reinforces the presence of a foreign force, IMO.

I am tired, i am a jew, i live in Berlin but i come from Finland, my grandparents were saved from Hitler despite your lazy asses.

Same here.

I love it how the US acts high and mighty after Roosevelt said "europes war is not our war" and only went into combat when Nazi Germany declared war on the US, the US NEVER declared war on Nazi Germany and if not for the pearl harbour attack i would either not exist or be Russian at this point.

It shouldn't have been a US war. It was a European war that Europeans should have sorted out. However, it was obvious great that the US was involved. Even before the US got involved, let's not forget that there were other European powers trying to appease Germany at the time. Let's not forget 'peace in our time'. Even before Germany declared war, the US was indirectly supporting the allies.

So take your righteousness and shove it up your ass.

How am I being righteous? This is just my belief. If you don't support it, then that's too bad. It's not the end of the world. There's no point in crying about it. I suppose you kids these days have emotional issues and can't adjust with anyone having a rational yet different view.

I am sorry for being harsh and i actually thought you came up with some excellent points, then this bs, i am sorry but i don't do idiocy and i won't respond to any reply, so go ahead and have fun.

You're welcome to start back and respond to my previous comments, even if you disagree with one part of the post.

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: Klixxer

the nazis are more prevalent in California than in Germany, of course, you will just think up something new.

Nazi-like beliefs are very prominent in Germany. The German government is trying to revive Nazi-era concentration camps for immigrants. Even until 2000, they believed in German ethnic superiority like the Nazis.

 

[nageov3t]

moving troops home = good... but it seems like they should be moving to the middle east. I mean, how's the hunt for Osama going?

plus, it smacks of an obvious political move, and with the time frame they've set up, it could easily never happen.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: loki8481
plus, it smacks of an obvious political move, and with the time frame they've set up, it could easily never happen.

What are the reasons that you think it could be a political move? Is it supposed to be a slap in the face to Germany for being against the war? If so, what a petty and ridiculous reason.

 

[B00ne]

Well, the troop reductions were to be expected and I dont think it has anything to do with Germany being against the war in Iraq.

I wouldnt overestimate the impact on the economy. Sure the bases might have a huge impact on the economy of the towns/villages where they are located especially since those towns are usually rather small. But the impact on the german economy as a whole is probably closer to immeasurable.

The withdrawel of the bases will generate huge costs - which can be estimated from past reductions - mainly because it is very expensive to put those areas to another use. Which usually includes a removing and stroring huge amounts of soil in toxic waste landfills.

The comments about the troops being there to keep the german government in check are laughable. Our government is keeping itself in check (or should I say gridlock) - quite visible right now by observing the failure to introduce reforms due to the demands of various interest groups as to the will of all parties involved to cater to the voters (who dont know better and are afraid of change). The military check keeping is easily done bour the voting public - as nothing tends to be more contoversial and more frowned upon than spending(wasting) money on the military, let alone deployments of it.

And Klixxer not to offend you but please do not post too much BS - I find it quite embarassing. German "leaders" are by no means directly elected and if you have confidence in them (any politician for that matter) u seem to be a miniority (according to polls such as Politbarometer). The only confidence that I have in them is that they are capable enough to undermine german interests for populistic reasons in some areas and to perceived foreign demands or better said: lack of national self-confidence in others.

 

[Klixxer]

Originally posted by: B00ne
Well, the troop reductions were to be expected and I dont think it has anything to do with Germany being against the war in Iraq.

I wouldnt overestimate the impact on the economy. Sure the bases might have a huge impact on the economy of the towns/villages where they are located especially since those towns are usually rather small. But the impact on the german economy as a whole is probably closer to immeasurable.

The withdrawel of the bases will generate huge costs - which can be estimated from past reductions - mainly because it is very expensive to put those areas to another use. Which usually includes a removing and stroring huge amounts of soil in toxic waste landfills.

The comments about the troops being there to keep the german government in check are laughable. Our government is keeping itself in check (or should I say gridlock) - quite visible right now by observing the failure to introduce reforms due to the demands of various interest groups as to the will of all parties involved to cater to the voters (who dont know better and are afraid of change). The military check keeping is easily done bour the voting public - as nothing tends to be more contoversial and more frowned upon than spending(wasting) money on the military, let alone deployments of it.

And Klixxer not to offend you but please do not post too much BS - I find it quite embarassing. German "leaders" are by no means directly elected and if you have confidence in them (any politician for that matter) u seem to be a miniority (according to polls such as Politbarometer). The only confidence that I have in them is that they are capable enough to undermine german interests for populistic reasons in some areas and to perceived foreign demands or better said: lack of national self-confidence in others.

Well you did offend me b00ne, but most do so i don't care, no, ia m well aware of the election system and that he individuals are not the ones we vote for, i might have been a bit too outspoken there but i compare the system to the american system, we at least directly get to vote for a party, by popular vote the party wich wins wins, i am not sure if you understand how it works in the US.

I do have confidence in our poiticians of today (except for the extremists but that goes without saying and they exist everywhere)

Did that help your embarrassment any? or is there a specific set of rules i should follow?

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose

Originally posted by: loki8481
plus, it smacks of an obvious political move, and with the time frame they've set up, it could easily never happen.

What are the reasons that you think it could be a political move?

because a substantial number of voters get their news from reading headlines and hearing short soundbites on the radio. if the message "soldiers are coming home" is repeated enough times,
people begin to assume that the message is refering to the soldiers in Iraq, without looking at the story behind the headline.

 

[Jhhnn]

If the bush Admin is running true to form, figure this as some bait and switch/ punishment and reward cycle. The bait is the withdrawal of troops, the switch is just redeploying most of them in Poland and Bulgaria, and the punishment/reward bit is utterly obvious... not to mention that building/renovating bases in those countries will likely cost more than leaving the troops where they are... it would be a stimulus to the miserable economies of Poland and Bulgaria, however... at least for the bars, hookers and shysters...

The ROK is rightfully deeply suspicious of American Troop re-deployments and withdrawals in that theatre. It paves the way for unilateral pre-emptive action against the DPRK, avoiding the political fallout of American troop losses- the ROK gets left holding the bag, forced to fight a war they don't want, simply because the DPRK has nobody else to retaliate against... they sure as hell can't strike back against Okinawa or the US 7th Fleet... but they could flatten Seoul the first day...