Article

2017-03-20 Europe

Germany rejects Trump claim it owes Nato and US 'vast sums' for defence

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Posted by Steve White 2017-03-20 00:00|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 Can't pay nothing. "Kosten" of supporting Merkel's Democrat "Flüchtlinge" (refugees)that were allowed to enter via the back dung gate is breaking the bank.

Posted by Jusoger Glereper2282 2017-03-20 00:13|| 2017-03-20 00:13|| Front Page Top

#2 As far as I know, you Owe the world for a few World Wars, maybe more.
Freking Hunn

Posted by newc 2017-03-20 00:40|| 2017-03-20 00:40|| Front Page Top

#3 During her trip to Washington, Merkel reiterated Germany’s commitment to the 2% military spending goal.
Of course, of course Frau Merkel. Mostly soft power, of course, foreign aid that can only be redeemed by buying German products. Or budget proposals that only exist on paper...

Posted by magpie 2017-03-20 00:50|| 2017-03-20 00:50|| Front Page Top

#4 Let me translate the President's tweet for you.

"Vast sums" means:

Send a German infantry division to Afghanistan by May to help sort out the mess there before it gets worse this summer, and

We also could use a bunch of food and medical supplies in the refugee camps in Jordan. Please put together monthly $100M euro care packages and drop them off at Ramstein. We'll handle the delivery, and

Oh, and you're kind of being mean to our NATO buddy Greece. Knock that off. It is messing up their defense budget.

Posted by rammer 2017-03-20 00:57|| 2017-03-20 00:57|| Front Page Top

#5 It was the grandparents of those now running things who participated in the Nazi period, newc, and as a result their country was reduced to rubble and they enjoyed the experience of being occupied by their conquers for some time thereafter It is not fair to demand that their grandchildren, born long after, continue to carry guilt for that which they did not do.

It seems to me President Trump's statement was another moving of the Overton Window. Until now everyone was happy that Germany was willing to not militarize, because they so thoroughly do whatever they turn their hand to.

Posted by trailing wife 2017-03-20 01:11|| 2017-03-20 01:11|| Front Page Top

#6 It was the grandparents of those now running things

Um, those running things in Germany are the ones who recently opened the gate to a massive Islamic movement into Europe, which will set up another potentially major blood bath.

Posted by Albemarle Thud1564 2017-03-20 02:22|| 2017-03-20 02:22|| Front Page Top

#7 Donald Trump’s claim that Germany owes Nato and the US “vast sums” of money for defence.

For baiting the bear and then running to USA?

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2017-03-20 03:47|| 2017-03-20 03:47|| Front Page Top

#8 Um, those running things in Germany are the ones who recently opened the gate to a massive Islamic movement into Europe, which will set up another potentially major blood bath.

Very true, Albemarle Thud1564, and they deserve blame for that. But the Nazis were the project my grandparents' generation committed on my mother and hers. My last grandparent died in 1978.

Posted by trailing wife 2017-03-20 06:45|| 2017-03-20 06:45|| Front Page Top

#9 An underlying fact or potential teaching point may possibly be lost on some. In my opinion, at least one of the reasons Germany has become a wealthy, economic power broker is; since the end of WWII it has pretty much avoided foreign conflicts and entanglements, or getting involved in everyone else's business.

Posted by Besoeker 2017-03-20 08:11|| 2017-03-20 08:11|| Front Page Top

#10 Maybe Germany is spending the money, just not spending it properly. If British reports are true, it seems Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen should have been fired some time ago.

Posted by rjschwarz 2017-03-20 11:10|| 2017-03-20 11:10|| Front Page Top

#11 Pay up deadbeats, and don't whine about spending all your funds financing the Muslim invasion of Europe.

Posted by regular joe 2017-03-20 14:11|| 2017-03-20 14:11|| Front Page Top

#12 It is not fair to demand that their grandchildren, born long after, continue to carry guilt for that which they did not do.

Your strong argument stands well, TW, however the demand for reparations from other affronted parties remains quite popular.

Posted by Skidmark 2017-03-20 15:40|| 2017-03-20 15:40|| Front Page Top

#13 I keep harping on it because again, Germany is invading Europe with their immigration
trailing wife.

They have learned nothing.

Posted by newc 2017-03-20 17:00|| 2017-03-20 17:00|| Front Page Top

#14 I'm sorry Steve, but your comment is not accurate.

"Umm, no, to borrow a line, "that's not how it works." Your NATO commitment is the baseline, and you add spending for other defense on top of that, just as we do."

The - non enforceable - commitment is:

Spending at least 2% of gross domestic product on defense. To be reached by 2024.

Not on NATO.

Posted by European Conservative 2017-03-20 21:28|| 2017-03-20 21:28|| Front Page Top

#15 I keep harping on it because again, Germany is invading Europe with their immigration trailing wife.

That is a fair assessment, newc.

Posted by trailing wife 2017-03-20 22:01|| 2017-03-20 22:01|| Front Page Top

22:10 Skidmark
22:02 Skidmark
22:01 trailing wife
22:00 Skidmark
22:00 Skidmark
21:40 Frank G
21:28 European Conservative
21:05 CrazyFool
20:54 charger
20:06 DarthVader
19:24 Glenmore
19:20 Glenmore
17:39 Nero White 3083
17:29 rjschwarz
17:29 rjschwarz
17:18 Besoeker
17:00 newc
16:51 Mullah Richard
16:33 Bright Pebbles
16:31 Mullah Richard
16:26 JohnQC
15:59 Raj
15:59 Pappy
15:41 Skidmark