[Principled]

While it is true that Germany should assert its opinion regarding the WOT without regard to any repercussions for expressing that opinion, they did more than merely assert their position... they actively engaged in activity that directly opposed the USA. They indeed should have repercussions for such non-friendly behavior.

I dunno if this is related, I think not... but it may be related to the EU putting tarrifs on US made goods manufactured in states critical to Bush in the election. The EU is trying to affect our election by increasing unemployment in critical states. I would guess this is more closely tied to the base closings than WOT behavior...if indeed they're tied at all...jmho

[Pan_Yan]

This has been going on since January 2001. Rummy made pretty clear his first few days in charge that the military wasn't just going to the gym to get bigger, it was going to trim the body fat percentage as well. The oversized cold war relic systems, bases and tactics have been in his sights since day one.

That being said, the anti-American policies of countries such as Germany, Saudi Arabia, etc probably haven't helped them in their lobby efforts to keep the big check coming their way.

[Grampa Dave]

"I dunno if this is related, I think not... but it may be related to the EU putting tarrifs on US made goods manufactured in states critical to Bush in the election. The EU is trying to affect our election by increasing unemployment in critical states. I would guess this is more closely tied to the base closings than WOT behavior...if indeed they're tied at all...jmho"

The above is incredible but not surprising.