US to punish German 'treachery'

The Observer (U.K.) ^ | 02/16/03 | Peter Beaumont, David Rose and Paul Beaver

[jt8d]

The French... INVINCIBLE in peace, INVISIBLE in war.

Why are French women like French rifles?
Both may always be counted upon to have an open breech.

[RichardW]

I love it so!!!!!

[RichardW]

I love it so!!!!!

[Freedom of Speech Wins]

Yes. Boycott all German and French products too.

Should kick their companies out of the US too.

The German companies liquidate American workers.

[WildWeasel]

Keeping 57,000 troops in Germany is a relic of the Cold War. Rumsfeld is right, redeploy the troops elsewere.

[Eva]

'We are doing this for one reason only: to harm the German economy,' one source told The Observer last week.

One source? I don't think so. Never believe an anonymous source.

[Atchafalaya]

Not the people, but the government in power. Unfortunately Shroeder got elected and chose to hang his hat with the French who will screw him as soon as the Germans are no longer needed. Change the governing body and we will break bread and eat schnitzel again. Now, effem! Remember we are the only reason they are still speaking German and not Russian.

[longjack]

FAZ...Bio-Terror: Gefahr Verschwiegen

longjack

[Tax Government]

It's a good idea.

[witnesstothefall]

Let us not dither about this like it's a Security Council issue. Let's get the troops moving out now, doubletime. Justice delayed is justice denied.

[Pilsner]

Excuse me! Czech beer is better than any German beer and the girls are far more friendly!

Given my screen name I cannot help but give this a BTTT.

[wonders]

An administration source would not say much of this, so I don't believe it. Even if the administration wanted to screw the already delapidated German economy, which is in a long term, and perhaps irreversible decline, in part because its educational system is in a state of collapse, that self defeating goal would never be enunciated. The redeployment of troops would be explained on grounds of defense policy, not grounds of economic retaliation.

Well said, Torie. (Hey, we agree on something!)

I'm somewhat familiar with Germany's economic woes, but would like to learn more about the problems in their educational system. Would you be so kind as to elaborate a bit or else point me to where I could find this information? Thanks in advance.

[americanbychoice]

try the "Pisa" study

[Torie]

Germany's secondary school test scores are now at the bottom of the Western democracies, below that of the US public school test scores. Germany's higher education system was always mediocre (far, far below that of the US or the UK), which hurt it, but this hurts its manufacturing edge over the long term. And without that, Germany has next to nothing which has a comparative worldwide advantage.

[strela]

Why should we stay where we're not wanted?

Ding. You win the Christmas turkey.

[P.O.E.]

Kind of reminds me of "Risk". You move your armies to where you need them.

[strela]

"Only a nation as desperate to be loved as the United States would fret about, rather than chuckle over the Orwellian irony of being lectured to about arrogancy by the French and about militarism by the Germans."

I'm going to steal that Rukeyser quote. Thank you for posting it.

[CyberAnt]

I heard some mention of this on FOX - but it wasn't as explicit - only that the focus of America would be in the Middle East for years, and why not move those bases in Germany to a closer location - namely the eastern part of Europe. Some of the newer countries, along with Poland, could be a good relocation and would save us millions in travel costs.

I think this may have been in the works for awhile - but the timing of it may indicate some kind of punishment to Germany. Actually, if Germany feels that it is, maybe it will cause some other nations to realize that we take allies seriously. You can disagree with us - but privately is a better method - never publically.

Also ... loyalty is prized by the Bush family.

[Atchafalaya]

I think it was biiillliiions and biiillliiions if my memory serves me right.

[BMCDA]

The Kommentar is also quite interesting.