[Gandalf_The_Gray]

it was a mistake to be involved in the Balkans during Clinton years, as it was clearly for the Europeans to handle, not the US. We had no dog in that fight.

During clinton's first term I spent some time in Germany. (Our little $90 million company was bought by Robert Bosch Gmbh) As we got to know each other a bit we fell to discussing geopolitics. I will never forget the older, WWII vintage, Germans. To a man they all opined that it is crazy to fight in the Balkans, you can never win, you'll get bogged down and they will bleed you dry. They also said they thought clinton a buffoon, to which we all cheerfully agreed. Prosit, I caught the next round.

Regards,
GtG

PS They have a drink, grappa, I think it's leftover V-2 fuel! They say it's for invalids and old men. I think it makes old men into invalids! Avoid it at all costs!

[elpadre]

my only experience with Germany was during the ‘72 Olympics in Munich. The dark beer, sausage and oompa music is a lasting memory.

[Bokababe]

"PS They have a drink, grappa, I think it's leftover V-2 fuel! They say it's for invalids and old men. I think it makes old men into invalids! Avoid it at all costs!"

"Grappa" is actually orginally Italian and is famously made in the Veneto region around Venice, where I will be next month. Serbs also have a version of it called, "Lozovac". Great stuff -- and if you started with wine and go to grappa, it won't make you sick from "mixing drinks" since both are made from grapes!