Keep bases here, Germany implores U.S.

AP Wire | March 28 2004 | MELISSA EDDY/AP

[eleni121]

In Bamberg, which also hosts units of the 1st Infantry Division, city officials have set up a task force to grapple with issues like a flooded real estate market if the Army should vacate its 500 apartments.

Lower rents, lower prices...what's wrong with that? A little economics 101 can only help these krauts.

[Spirited]

Thank you, Knighthawk.

[Spirited]

Thank you for that input.

We need to get our guys into areas where they will be welcomed. That is not Germany. We need out......

[lainde]

Ping me please...thanks!

[GretchenEE]

A key issue was decrepit housing that didn't meet the latest U.S. security needs, so Bruch has raised about $130 million in private funds for renovation and construction of new housing for the Americans.

That amazes me; I've not heard of a host country doing such a thing before.

[MissAmericanPie]

The US military plants have not produced conventional submarines in the last 40 years. Germany produces conventional sub's that run on oxygen and liquid hydrogen.

They refused the U.S.'s desire to sell conventional subs to Taiwan and Germany supports the "One China" policy. They also support China's attempts to stop a U.S. missile defense system.

Some allies, why in the world they were ever considered allies after starting two world wars I'll never understand.

[Matthew James]

Ditto. I have about 5 years of service in Germany and it was a great experience.

But on my first tour, my German landlady was always whining about how it was time for the Americans to leave (as she happily took my rent money!). Then the Wall came down and we closed several kasernes in that area. The last time I paid the rent she was in tears, having seen what an impact our pull-out was having on the local economy. After listening to her whine for 3 years I just said, "Well, it looks like you got exactly what you wanted!"

Yeah, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia -- I'm sure they'd be happy to have us train there. We can probably find a few old Russian kasernes to renevate as well!

[AngryJawa]

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

This is a point to worry about. Let's say that the US pulls its bases and accompanying dollars, further stagnating the Germans' already lethargic economy. How long will it take for a new "charismatic" leader to emerge, promising to restore Germanys' rightful place in the world by any means necessary. It may not be fair, but Deutsland does have a track record.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Schroeder's relations with Washington were strained by his strong opposition to attacking Saddam Hussein's regime.

But now we are supposed to feel pangs of guilt that the Germans will not continue to get over a billion US tax dollars?

Lets play a game Germany, a one word response to that comes to mind from the American military when the Germans were last trying to push them around .

Nuts!

[TexKat]

Hi mystery-ak. I have been on other threads lately, but I always have you and your guys on my mind. Hope everything turns out fine for Mike and that he is home soon.

[Fledermaus]

Too little, too late Germany. Bite my weinerschnitzel.

[Fledermaus]

4,000 troops mostly for medical services, on ships protecting shipping lanes, and some security.

About 100 special forces.

Token support from Germany at best.

[Fledermaus]

Where does CentCom separate them? Iraq is a BATTLE in the WAR on TERROR. Not a separate engagement at all.

[dfwgator]

Poland has better looking women too.

[dfwgator]

"I wouldn't want to be like you"
"You lie down with dogs" (you get up with fleas)

It's all psychobabble rap to me.

[Fledermaus]

Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq did not pose an immediate threat to the western world.

Bullhockey! You must be very young and don't remember what Iraq has done since the mid-1980's.

Iraq was only tolerated during it's war with Iran because Iran was a bigger threat to the world...and still is.

But once Iraq invaded Kuwait, it was a new ballgame. It became clear Saddam was going to fight the western world by trying to control the oil supply.

We stopped him and then did nothing to contain him. Twelve years and 15 unenforced UN resolutions later, a new sheriff came to town and after 9/11 it was time to put up or shut up.

The UN following France, Germany and Russia decided to shut up. Your PM Shroeder decided to save his own hide instead of leading by blasting America to the far left to get re-elected. What a coward. You deserve a snake like that running your country into the ground.

Iraq was supporting, training, and paying terrorists around the world. Some of the 9/11 hijackers had a cell in GERMANY! Saddam paid Palestinian terrorist' families after they blew themselves up. Saddam harbored terrorists from Hamas, Hezzbollah, and Al-Qaeda. He had training facilities in Iraq teaching them how to hijack planes.

But it's great to see you Germans now care about 'sovereign' countries.

[Fledermaus]

Excuse me, but following your reasons: why are the regimes in Iran, N Korea, Syria, etc still in power?

You are a fool.

That is the most inept argument only made by those with no ability to make their case against the US going into Iraq. It's childish and ridiculous. It's like saying, "hey, why arrest me for murder when that guy is jaywalking?".

And as soon as Iran, Syria and N. Korea are confronted, you'll be here whining about them too. Don't think you won't. Try using some brain cells.

[Fledermaus]

You weren't misinterpreted...you just now can't take the fact your words have been ripped apart. Face it, you lost the argument and you have no basis in actual fact to back up your totally ridiculous assertions.

[rightwingcrazy]

I was thinking they should rely on the UN for their defense.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Get them out of there. Put them on our borders where they could at least do some good. Screw the German economy.