Poll: Send Your Troops Home, America

[oliveira8]

I'm sure that it's not only America that has bases all over the world.....

I thought you were stupid until I realized you were being sarcastic. Good thing for that, eh?

No...because I'm sure that Portugal has(or had) military/police force in certain parts of the world. We had in Timor for plenty of years and still have some police there(tho volunteers I believe) and we still have forts(believe!) in Angola and other African countries, that are still active, and are used by the Portuguese Army usually for training, missions, whatever.

Unless I totally missed the point of the thread...cause I'm sure America has a base in the Azores which is the first entry point to Europe from NA to Europe, a base the Portuguese govermente handed to the Americans.(or had.)

 

[VanityGirl]

snip

I agree with you. It's a bit of a bother when I make a statement and someone says "God, American's are ALL blah blah blah"
I tried not to ring you in with America, which is why I said Americans and not "you" or "we".

*sigh*
The world WE live in.

 

[Necrofudge]

Well with this topic in mind i'll use the motto of many bar tenders:
You don't have to go home but you can't stay here.

 

[JWAN]

If you want us to close down the bases we have in Japan then give Japan its military back. If you want us to give up our bases in South Korea you better fill them in with your own troops or the blood will fall on your hands. If you think we should leave Iraq, read a history book, then prepare for their blood to be on your hands.

For Afghanistan we should have fought to win early on, I mean we should have sent everything we had instead of just the bare minimum, Iraq's invasion should have been run by generals instead of bureaucrats. Leave the wars to the war fighters.

Look, I want the troops home too, but I understand that they are doing an important job, and that they need to stick it out. If we leave, we just give the terrorists in Afghanistan a lull to rearm and rebuild. If you don't believe me look at what Pakistan did less than 18 months ago, they had a ceasefire with the Taliban and while Pakistani government thought they ended the war and they started hauling troops back out of the region the Taliban rebuilt and smashed into them and killed men women and children.
To tell you the truth I don't care about France's position or Germany's opinion because were defending ourselves, if they think that they will always be untouched then they can try and think that, but the attacks on the WTC weren't just an attack on the United States, it was an attack on the western world, they attacked the WORLD Trade Center for a reason (please note the word "WORLD"). We are defending ourselves by making sure that the terrorists stay dead, in caves, on the opposite side of the globe. And I have absolutely no problem with that, if we build new hospitals and schools and facilities while were over there, even better.

 

[GreyWolf257]

There aren't enough options. If there was one saying "9/11 was planned by America, and they should get the fuck out of The Middle East, and I am American. Also, America's populace sucks" I would check that in a second.

Does anyone mind if I bite on this one?

You have two choices, HassEsser, you can either PM me for the rest of this discussion, or go on to state exactly HOW the United States "planned" an attack on it's own country, in front of everyone. I'm not going to disrespect you, and I promise to take a real look at your arguments, and not flame you because I disagree, but I want to see your reasons. As you posted such a thing in this thread, I think it is fitting if we examine it.

I just can not believe how someone, after all this time, could still believe America killed over 3,000 of its own people to further some sort of political agenda.

Also, I think you are just kind of flaming America.

Yeah, I'm fairly certain the American government wouldn't kill its own citizens for the ability to go to war with Iraq. The goverment probably could have done that without murder.

 

[Xpwn3ntial]

I have mixed feelings about this, being an American and all, but I would have to say she should withdraw most of her bases. Not all of them.

 

[VanityGirl]

snip

I know, I wasn't using the "we" to make a point.
Well, I was, but it wasn't directed at you.

YOU'RE JUST SAYING THAT BECAUSE YOU'RE AN AMERICAN!
God, you're all like that.

I personally do not like hearing the caps statement you said. I hate when people say that, especially when I spent the best part of my growing up (the teenage years) living in Asia. Because I make a statement that someone disagrees with, it means I'm a stupid America who knows nothing about the world outside of America.

And I figured the "we" wasn't pointed at me, but I was letting you know that I wasn't trying to rope you in with others.

 

[Shock and Awe]

It would be a good idea to close some bases, we don't need all of them, but at the same time we need to keep some open.

 

[Gelp]

Well, as a canadian, I'm pretty much fucked even if they didn't have any bases over here. In my opinion the US has way too much control over my country.

Although they do have us surrounded to with Alaska and all that....

What are you talking about?
They don't have control over us, we're a major trade partner.
That in many ways gives US the upper hand!
How do you think we got away with continuing trade with, and visiting Cuba and other communist countries during the 70's when they were at the hight of their 'communism is evil' phase. Not ONLY did our prime minister(Pierre Trudeau) VISIT South American Communist countries, but he also made BFFs with Castro and openly criticized the American involvement in South American countries, saying that South America would be much better off without them.
He also kept Castro a close pen pal, and Castro even carried his coffin when he died!
All during the time when America was so bold to say they'd cut trade with anyone who would openly trade with the very same countries WE were trading with. But we could do it!
Why? Because the U.S won't cut trade with their biggest trade partner, that would be retarded.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, the US has about as much control over us, as we have over them. We both have each other by the balls. As long as we have our own independent say over things, we are pretty much safe. Especially if we had another Pierre, he had such a great philosophy, a 'respect everyone, regardless of your differences, they're people too' type one. And looking at our politics lately we could use that attitude again.

Sorry I... kinda had a history barf.

 

[JWAN]

Also, America's populace sucks"

Uh, maybe you suck, but I sure as hell don't.
Keep me out of your weird self-hatred thing.

Anyway, if it's costing that much, why the hell are we keeping troops all over the place?

It's not like it's making anyone hate us less.
So withdraw all of our troops - if things get worse, maybe people will see that they were doing some good.
If things get better, people will continue to hate America, but at least we'll be in marginally less massive debt.

I agree with this.

I'm pretty patriotic, and I love my country and what we fight for (freedom), but we need to keep our noses out of other people's asses. Until it's neccessary, of course.

If someones threatens us or attacks us were going to find you and kill you and within 24 hours we will be in your country dismantling your military at 2700 fps.

 

[ironlordthemad]

what america does with her bases is her own buisness

simple as that, if the americans want to try and protect the world, let them, if it doesnt work then they might learn a lesson about the world, if it does then the world becomes a safer place

either way win/win right?

 

[cuddly_tomato]

What, may I ask, are all these soldiers to do if not occupying foreign countries? Its not like we have a surplus of jobs back here at home...

Watch gardening programs on the TV, or possibly episodes of Masterchef on BBC iPlayer (if you get that). It sure beats sitting in a hot desert being shot at all day by people who hate your guts.

Why do people always seem to forget that all US troops are volunteers?

I don't see what that has to do with my post. My point is that there are better things to do than be fighting pointless, dangerous and costly wars miles from home - voluteers or not.

 

[Firia]

What, may I ask, are all these soldiers to do if not occupying foreign countries? Its not like we have a surplus of jobs back here at home...

Watch gardening programs on the TV, or possibly episodes of Masterchef on BBC iPlayer (if you get that). It sure beats sitting in a hot desert being shot at all day by people who hate your guts.

Why do people always seem to forget that all US troops are volunteers?

Paid volunteers. Serving in the armed forces is a paid job. Take that away, and they're suddenly unemployed.

 

[skywalkerlion]

Also, America's populace sucks"

Uh, maybe you suck, but I sure as hell don't.
Keep me out of your weird self-hatred thing.

Anyway, if it's costing that much, why the hell are we keeping troops all over the place?

It's not like it's making anyone hate us less.
So withdraw all of our troops - if things get worse, maybe people will see that they were doing some good.
If things get better, people will continue to hate America, but at least we'll be in marginally less massive debt.

I agree with this.

I'm pretty patriotic, and I love my country and what we fight for (freedom), but we need to keep our noses out of other people's asses. Until it's neccessary, of course.

If someones threatens us or attacks us were going to find you and kill you and within 24 hours we will be in your country dismantling your military at 2700 fps.

..what are you getting at?

 

[Canadamus Prime]

You mean should the US stop poking it's big fat nose where it's not needed or in many cases, wanted? That would be a big resounding YES!! It's your tendency to poke you nose into other counties business that earns you the wrath of al-kaida(sp?) and similar groups.

 

[Plazmatic]

I'd really like to see what would happen if America closed its bases in all foreign countries and brough ALL troops home-- it has been estimated that closing only foreign bases (and not cutting the size of the US military) would save us americans between 1\2 to 1 trillion dollars per year by simply not having to operate with a grid of military installations spread around the planet.

According to the Defense Department's annual "Base Structure Report" for fiscal year 2003, which itemizes foreign and domestic U.S. military real estate, the Pentagon currently owns or rents 702 overseas bases in about 130 countries...

Many of the countries do not have functional standing armies. In many cases, the mere presence of the united states military could be establishing and maintaining peace and stability in that region-- the bases were often established originally to make the area safe for american investment and commerce-- but arguably peace and stability is a good thing no matter where you are.

But we're broke, and we're Renting. We are paying foreign countries or have paid foreign countries for the privilege of maintaining their peace and security overseas.

Chances are, if you are posting on this website and are not american, there are american troops stationed in your country. Do you want them to leave? Do you know they are there? Do you think they are keeping a lid on things in your country, or preventing (or have prevented) something worse from establishing itself in your back yard? Finally, if you want them in your country, would you be willing to let your government pay the rent to keep the base open and staffed?

Americans, please click the "i am american" option on the poll.

First , though I aggree we should not have our troops all over the place, like we have now, (I mean seriously we still have troops in GERMANY for peat sakes) Your first statement, that it would save americans between 1/2 trillion and a trillion a year, is simply false. The United states spends about 500 billion dollars a year on the military. Yeah I know thats 1/2 trillion but its cetianly NOT a trillion.

Second, wow the amount of bases may be a little more or less now, but still, theres about 200 countries in the world, and were in 130 of them. Im sure we could get out of atleast 100 of them.

Third, sorry I was american and I voted for the top one. Didn't read your whole post.

 

[Low Key]

The American military doesn't set up bases in other countries just because it's an unstable region. Bases are also built to train that particular country's military. It's the same reason why there are thousands of foreign troops in America.

Beside, the UN has access to American bases whenever they want. They can inspect each one until their hearts' content. You notice the only countries that don't allow inspections are the shady ones with the potential of building nuclear weapons and using them.

 

[MikeOfThunder]

We are paying foreign countries or have paid foreign countries for the privilege of maintaining their peace and security overseas.

Since when did security become a privilege?

-Last time America wasn't involved in the world's affairs we had a crisis on a global scale. The second world war. But what does it matter if 50,000,000+ people died; if we are to simply ignore the mistakes of the past.

There is a REASON why America is so involved in world affairs. Might not always make the right choices, but atleast its there.

 

[T3h Camp3r T3rr0r1st]

We're America! We own the world, god dammit. And who cares if we are in debt, we'll just nukem' all to hell!

Seriously though, we need to stop being such an asshole of a country. I can understand having bases for peacekeeping purposes in unstable countries, but I'm pretty sure countries like Britain can take care of themselves.

yeah gotta love american English...


OT: america should stay the fuck away from everywhere ALL of their last wars havn't been their wars, also they haven't won ANY wars EVER! that they have been in start to finish and even World War 2 wasn't a victory if you have to reduce a place to radioactive rubble.