Time to Pull out of the Persian Gulf

[roscoe]

Is it time to pull out of the Persian Gulf? Just start backing the troops out and say good-bye. Pull them out of Saudi Arabia, Germany, Newfoundland Canada, Bosnia, Belgium, Afghanistan, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Hungary, and so on. We have dozens and dozens of bases on foreign soil.<br /><br />And with the troops, stop the aid. Bring the troops to US soil, or send them to the countries that appreciate us, the US. With the troops will go their salaries, to be added to the local economy of our friends, and our own US cities. If some country really wants us back, then they can pay us to be there. If we're going to be the worlds' police, we should get paid, not vice versa. If it wasn't for our US taxpayer / government dollars going into these countries, most would be bankrupt. <br /><br />Too bad no politician has the kahunas to do something like this. It would upset their plans for a world gov't, world police, and world court.

 

[miloman]

Re: Time to Pull out of the Persian Gulf

A very good point I have a lot of respect for the American Military. Seems when ever there is trouble they are there. From what I have seen they do alot more humanatirian work then anything else. The problem with these countries is that they dont get it.. anyway excellent point

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Time to Pull out of the Persian Gulf

I with ya Roscoe.. 100%<br /><br />I can't see why we really need to have troops stationed on foreign soil anyway.. We have the capability to fly in precision air strikes any where in the world within 24 hours with our B-2's right from our bases here in the U.S. with some in-flight re-fueling... <br /><br /> Well, I guess we would need some foreign bases for the In-flight re-fueling tankers to load up, land, and take off from, but not many...<br /><br />Then there's the Navy's capability to launch cruise missles from the decks of their ships at a fairly safe distance... <br /><br /> Oh yeah, and we have those wonderful aircraft cariers to fly planes off of...<br /><br />

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Time to Pull out of the Persian Gulf

forward deployed troops are greatly needed. it's called power projection and deterence, part of our political and military strategic plans. regardless of how you read the media's take, trust me when i say it takes time to build a force overseas. we need bases all over the world to remind our enemies we are there, and to be ready to act at a moment's notice. i feel for the soldiers that have recently left their families, but they should remember that the navy does this on a regular basis, regardless of the whether war is immenent. it's a regular rotation for battlegroups to do workups and then deploy for 6-8 months.

 

[JB]

Re: Time to Pull out of the Persian Gulf

I agree with Mattttt, except. . . . . No, I agree with Mattttt.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Time to Pull out of the Persian Gulf

Have to go pretty far back to find a Country we have helped in the past that really appreciated what we did for them. Italy is a strong supporter who still remembers us from WW11.<br /><br />Our boys over there have a tough task ahead of them and I hope we(USA) have the fortitude to stay the course even when it gets tough. Well said roscoe....it just seems that those we help tend to not want us after we have completed the task..<br /><br />Jb..you can do better than that and we know you want too....

 

[dkondelik]

Re: Time to Pull out of the Persian Gulf

OH YAH! Like I really want my BROTHER-IN_LAW back here. I feel safer with him GONE!<br /><br />All kidding aside.<br />We godda do what we godda do.<br />Jus cuz it aint eazy, an' aint appreciated, dont mean it aint RIGHT.<br /><br />Dont particularly wanna b the werlds POlice force BUT,...<br /><br />WHO ELSE IS GUNNA DO IT.<br />(and it NEEDS being done!)

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Time to Pull out of the Persian Gulf

one other thought... we're not simply the world's police. it's called stability, and goes back to the domino theory. you may think a little tiff happening between two countries on the other side of the world doesn't affect you, but it does. and if we don't try to "police" it now, it may affect your kids in a bigger way. we also owe it to our allies, regardless of what they can do for us.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Time to Pull out of the Persian Gulf

At first I read the headline and thought "What a bunch of major BS!". Then I read it and I agree. Matt- Its not WHAT they can do for us, its what their WILLING to do for us. My family line is very strong in German and English descent, therefore I do favor towards them. With all going on right now though I say TO HE11 with Germany and France. USA has saved France so much its unbelievable. I still hope we do not end up in a war but if we do and there is no support from either of those countries nuke them cowards.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Time to Pull out of the Persian Gulf

Ok, I was recently on a website that outlined all the US bases around the world. I was very suprised where some of them were, and how many are in some countries. BTW, the site is based in another country, a neutral ally of ours, and I believe it is reasonably accurate.<br /><br />I do believe we need to have a presence in the world, but not to the extent as we do now, or under the circumstances that are imposed on us. Do we really need to have such extensive facilities in Germany (18 bases) for example? Or scattered thru hostile countries in Africa? Or in many of the countries where civil war is currently underway, but we are not allowed to intervene?Can't more of the policing be left to the countries in the region? Why are we paying for the privelege to clean up others' problems? We pay with direct cash aid, food aid, military training, loan guarrantees, rent, guarranteed purchases of supplies and the construction of the bases, and the influx of cash into the hosting countries economy from the troops spending on housing, products, and services. This is all money that could be used here in our country, or at least in the countries that support us. All this on top of the human costs when our soldiers are put in harms way. These troops could be here protecting our borders from smugglers and terrorists. And all this money could be spent in our own country. We have bases in countries that most of us have rarely if ever heard of. <br /><br />It just seems to me that we could place our troops in fewer, better placed locations, in more supportive countries. The military has been downsized terribly in recent years and we have had base closings here. But I haven't heard of many (there have been a few) base closings in other countries. Hmmmmm.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Time to Pull out of the Persian Gulf

All of our military in all corners of the world are keeping your dollar worth a dollar. You (Americans) wouldn't be able to borrow and spend like you do if nobody was willing to lend to you anymore. Big military = good credit in today's world. Keep in mind we are a nation in debt. We also consume a lot more than we produce each year and we cannot pay the difference but who is going to demand that we do?<br />The US keeps a major presence in the regions and countries that we trade with, as our trading expands so does our military. It's like having a few goons with you just to be sure you don't get ripped off.