The Observer reports that we’re pulling our troops out of Germany:
America is to punish Germany for leading international opposition to a war against Iraq. The US will withdraw all its troops and bases from there and end military and industrial co-operation between the two countries – moves that could cost the Germans billions of euros.
All this punishment talk aside, isn’t it about time Germany started footing the bill for its own national defense? If nothing else, this should put a damper on the German welfare state.
It is increasingly apparent that Germany, in particular, is very much a spoiled brat nation. At least, it’s run by spoiled brats. We gave birth to them after World War II, spent endless time nurturing them and protecting them. Now they’re snotty teenaged boys who think they know everything, and are shocked to find out that Daddy’s run out of patience with them.
Removing our bases would not only free up resources we could use elsewhere, but would do what good parents have always done with 19 year old boys who think they rule the roost: kick them out of the house and force them to fend for themselves for once.
Come to think of it, I’m going to go say this on my weblog. You’re a constant source of inspiration, Richard.
The reason we should pull out of Germany is not punishment for the Germans. That’s just a nice side effect. The reason to pull out is that we can’t rely on them to stay out of our way. We no longer have a common enemy, & no longer have common goals. We cannot leave our ablility to mobilize our troops to the mercy of the Germans’ agreement, whether it involves airspace or trains.
I lived in Germany in the 60s, when my father was stationed in Stuttgart. I liked it there – rode my bike down to Switzerland, hitchhiked across town to visit my girlfriend, developed a taste for currywurst. So I have fond memories, but let it go.
Next time they invade France, though, I hope we’ll just laugh.