Posted on 02/18/2005 5:28:44 PM PST by Pokey78
An EU Military Unit? EWWWWW!
Since the US spends more on defense than the rest of NATO combined, why would the EU want to have its own defense force? They can't even meet their troop commitments to NATO. Moreover, their expenditures on defense as a percentage of GDP is going down every year as they become more and more squeezed by social welfare costs and a declining population. More French grand delusions.
What a ridiculous headline. Bush did nothing of the sort - he criticized a thoroughly ill-timed comment by Schroeder concerning NATO's continuing relevance.
They are delusion but they are trying nonetheless. A key part is already materializing, i.e. a European defense industry with its holders in Old Europe. EADS has already expressed it's intention to acquire Thales. This will break its partnership with the British firm BAE and conjointly with the lifting of the EU arms embargo on China, which they are hoping will prompt the U.S. to sever its links with Atlantist defence industry, will isolate BAE as a an American only company.
This delusion will end when the EU realizes that true military power requires things like troops, weapons, and $$.
The EU has already taken over the NATO mission in Bosnia (formerly known as SFOR). Of course, they are too new to do it alone. There is still roughly battalion-sized element of US specialists and advisors to help them make it work.
The good news is that with Europe's commitment to its social systems they just won't have the money to compete. This is a continent that has lived under the umbrella of American security for over 50 years (which has helped afford them the very social lifestyle they've adopted)...and they still can't manage their economies.
This is revolution in the making as Lefty Europe won't stand by as politicians spend "their" money on bombs rather than bread...which is already in short supply. Something's gotta give.
"Intellectuals in Britain, Germany and France have been implying since the September Attack that sooner or later, our USA will fall due to our support of Israel. ...seen that in spiteful messages since the day after "9/11." That's why they are obsessed with Israeli and American political matters."
Do you really think when it is all said and done that it comes down to that (Israel)in Europe also? Wow
And when the weenies realize that letting people retire @ 50 and get 80% of their pre-retirement income costs a lot of $$...
All of this is garbage. Bush shouldn't be pandering to these bozo's. He shouldn't be defiant or confrontational either. He should simply and calmly talk down to them like the little children they are. They need us more than we need them.
The gauntlet has been thrown down, if the EU ignores us, the real game begins. You are with us or with the terrorist's, we shall soon find out.
LOL. Get real!
Wouldn't be too far down the road that they'd undoubtedly be demanding the U.S., as the world's largest superpower, pay for any funding of a competing superpower wannabe.
Get real they are not arming up against the US.
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