Article

2004-08-17 Europe

Germans fear business loss from U.S. troop pullout

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Posted by Mrs. Davis 2004-08-17 7:23:11 AM|| || Front Page|| [11132 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 The only downside to this is that TGA may be affected. However, Rantburgers are a tough lot, keeping their heads together while others are losing theirs, so he'll do fine, regardless.

Posted by Ptah 2004-08-17 9:15:30 AM|| [http://www.crusaderwarcollege.org] 2004-08-17 9:15:30 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 NPR this morning suggested that the Big Red One might be coming back to Ft Riley, KS.

Posted by BH 2004-08-17 9:44:42 AM|| 2004-08-17 9:44:42 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 They'll get over it. In the long run, from an economic standpoint, they're better off without military bases. Germany isn't the Philippines - they'll figure something out. I'm just glad the boys are coming home from a country that views America with contempt.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2004-08-17 10:03:54 AM|| [http://www.polipundit.com] 2004-08-17 10:03:54 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 Sure, for the local communities the impact will be felt, and those regions are traditionally very U.S. friendly (which isn't just a money issue).

Germany doesn't view America with contempt. George Bush has few friends here, that's true, but the same could be said for Massachusetts.

What I feel sorry about it is that transatlantic bonds that have formed over 50 years will suffer. If barely any American remains in Germany a lot of Germans will take a more disaffected view towards America.

Fact is, we'll still need each other, maybe more than never.

Btw I still consider Mr Stoiber as one of the major players for chancellor in 2006.

Posted by True German Ally 2004-08-17 3:06:01 PM|| 2004-08-17 3:06:01 PM|| Front Page Top

#5 TGA - the affect is no differenct than communities here in the US that lost a base in the 90's.

If barely any American remains in Germany a lot of Germans will take a more disaffected view towards America.
This says more about Germans than Americans. If the only goodwill is based around having thousands of our troops based there something is fundamentally wrong with the relationship.
We need a posture that fits best with our needs as well as our allies. And having thousands of troops on garrison duty in Germany really does not fit todays world.

Posted by Dan 2004-08-17 3:50:59 PM|| 2004-08-17 3:50:59 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 Nope Dan, that's just human nature. You care more about people, things, events closer to you.

It's not a coincidence that in Texas Germans are liked more... and that increases the closer you get to the bases where German pilots are training (and feeding the locals Nutella and Gummi Bears).

Posted by True German Ally 2004-08-17 3:58:03 PM|| 2004-08-17 3:58:03 PM|| Front Page Top

#7 And of course the German presence in south Texas has more to do with immigration around 1900and before than any thing later. Surprised me whin I started visiting about 1970 thru now........

Posted by dorf 2004-08-17 9:01:41 PM|| 2004-08-17 9:01:41 PM|| Front Page Top

#8 Kant spel either.......... Dorf is a dyslexic sPelling of fORD,,,,,,,,,

Posted by dorf 2004-08-17 9:04:01 PM|| 2004-08-17 9:04:01 PM|| Front Page Top

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