So, Klaus.
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Well, I think the complaint that Germany doesn't spend enough on its military is justified. Our military is pathetic.
Whether it's a strategically clever move to move US soldiers is another question. If that move came from a US president who thinks before he talks, it might change a few minds, but as it is now it is too easy to dismiss it as yet another crazy move from the lunatic in the White House.
That said, I assume his main motivation isn't to change Germany's NATO spending but to win votes at home. Whether that move works towards that end I cannot say.
wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 10:36 last edited by@Klaus said in So, Klaus.:
I assume his main motivation isn't to change Germany's NATO spending but to win votes at home.
Yes, he's getting ever more frantic -- and more unhinged -- to win re-election. Witness his unconscionable tweet on his administrative rule change on housing: "All of the people living their Suburban Lifestyle Dream that you will no longer be bothered or financially hurt by having low income housing built in your neighborhood . . . Your housing prices will go up based on the market, and crime will go down."
Way to stoke the flames, Donald. More unrest, toward which you get to send in more illegal troops! We'll have to procure you a lyre so you can fiddle like the Emperor Nero while the cities burn.
I think we can safely assume that everything he does from now on will be in support of his re-election. He is obsessed with that.
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wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 10:37 last edited by
I saw that tweet about "suburban housing" somewhere but I'm missing the context to judge it. What is it about?
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I saw that tweet about "suburban housing" somewhere but I'm missing the context to judge it. What is it about?
wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 10:39 last edited by@Klaus said in So, Klaus.:
I saw that tweet about "suburban housing" somewhere but I'm missing the context to judge it. What is it about?
The story is here: https://lite.cnn.com/en/article/h_12ea1ab7a2ec5ef1f461ec38310438e8
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wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 11:42 last edited by
This move might earn him 5 votes and lose him 10. He could’ve easily won in November had he taken COVID more seriously. That was the main meal. Now he’s fighting for percentage scraps.
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wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 11:47 last edited by
@jon-nyc said in So, Klaus.:
For a guy who’s not a Russian agent he sure does Putin’s bidding a lot.
Yeah Putin guided him really well toward another four years. LOL
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wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 14:48 last edited by
I wonder if it has ever occurred to the Trump bashers that decisions like this involve complex discussions and planning with our top military officials...
Nah.
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I wonder if it has ever occurred to the Trump bashers that decisions like this involve complex discussions and planning with our top military officials...
Nah.
wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 15:05 last edited by@Larry said in So, Klaus.:
I wonder if it has ever occurred to the Trump bashers that decisions like this involve complex discussions and planning with our top military officials...
Well, yes, it should. But we both know that Trump doesn't do that. He watches something on Fox and based on his impulses of the day he tweets his next policy decision.
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wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 15:09 last edited by
That's your opinion. Fortunately, your opinion is incorrect.
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wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 15:19 last edited by
It is my impression that Trump cedes decisions like this largely to his military commanders. Especially when it's not clear that the electorate would care one way or another.
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I wonder if it has ever occurred to the Trump bashers that decisions like this involve complex discussions and planning with our top military officials...
Nah.
wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 17:01 last edited by jon-nyc@Larry said in So, Klaus.:
I wonder if it has ever occurred to Trump
bashersthat decisions like this should involve complex discussions and planning with our top military officials...Nah.
FIFY
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It is my impression that Trump cedes decisions like this largely to his military commanders. Especially when it's not clear that the electorate would care one way or another.
wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 19:31 last edited by@Horace said in So, Klaus.:
It is my impression that Trump cedes decisions like this largely to his military commanders. Especially when it's not clear that the electorate would care one way or another.
Read Bolton’s book. Trump doesn’t cede decisions. Certainly not to military people. He only likes generals until they start working for him. Then he mistrusts them completely. And yes, he likes making Putin happy because he deeply is jealous of successful autocrats.
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wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 21:05 last edited by
Somebody explain to me why we are keeping troops in Germany in 2020? Are we so afraid of the Germans, that we think there will be an immediate return to militarism as soon as we leave? Do we think the Germans cannot defend the Fulda Gap from the Bear?
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@Horace said in So, Klaus.:
It is my impression that Trump cedes decisions like this largely to his military commanders. Especially when it's not clear that the electorate would care one way or another.
Read Bolton’s book. Trump doesn’t cede decisions. Certainly not to military people. He only likes generals until they start working for him. Then he mistrusts them completely. And yes, he likes making Putin happy because he deeply is jealous of successful autocrats.
wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 21:10 last edited by Larry@bachophile said in So, Klaus.:
@Horace said in So, Klaus.:
It is my impression that Trump cedes decisions like this largely to his military commanders. Especially when it's not clear that the electorate would care one way or another.
Read Bolton’s book. Trump doesn’t cede decisions. Certainly not to military people. He only likes generals until they start working for him. Then he mistrusts them completely. And yes, he likes making Putin happy because he deeply is jealous of successful autocrats.
Why are you taking Bolton's word for it? It's already been proven that it's just a bunch of opinionated crap out of a guy who's pissed off that he got canned. What you described is precisely what Obama did.
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Somebody explain to me why we are keeping troops in Germany in 2020? Are we so afraid of the Germans, that we think there will be an immediate return to militarism as soon as we leave? Do we think the Germans cannot defend the Fulda Gap from the Bear?
wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 21:18 last edited by@Jolly said in So, Klaus.:
Somebody explain to me why we are keeping troops in Germany in 2020? Are we so afraid of the Germans, that we think there will be an immediate return to militarism as soon as we leave? Do we think the Germans cannot defend the Fulda Gap from the Bear?
No, but it really seems to irritate the US that the Germans will invest into and buy Russian gas over US LNG.
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@Jolly said in So, Klaus.:
Somebody explain to me why we are keeping troops in Germany in 2020? Are we so afraid of the Germans, that we think there will be an immediate return to militarism as soon as we leave? Do we think the Germans cannot defend the Fulda Gap from the Bear?
No, but it really seems to irritate the US that the Germans will invest into and buy Russian gas over US LNG.
wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 21:21 last edited by@Renauda said in So, Klaus.:
@Jolly said in So, Klaus.:
Somebody explain to me why we are keeping troops in Germany in 2020? Are we so afraid of the Germans, that we think there will be an immediate return to militarism as soon as we leave? Do we think the Germans cannot defend the Fulda Gap from the Bear?
No, but it really seems to irritate the US that the Germans will invest into and buy Russian gas over US LNG.
Certainly. It's an economic competition, waged in a political theater.
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wrote on 30 Jul 2020, 23:35 last edited by Renauda
At least you admit it. Still, the Monroe Doctrine really has no play in Europe and US policy towards Russia has been dismal for last twenty odd years. Trump and company haven't improved it in the least.
I tend to agree though, American troops should go home.