Yup, we should surely punish those that did not support us (i.e. Germany) by moving some of our bases out, but we still have responsibilities elsewhere.

I know it is convenient to think of Europe as secure, but I think the episode in the former Yugoslavia shows that we need to be in Europe somewhere, just not Germany. Furthermore, we MUST comit to the security of democratic Asia. Absolutely our comitments to Japan and Korea must be met.

It's easy sometimes to fall into the "America First" argument that Pat Buchanan is making that we should let the rest of the World fix itself. I kind of fell that way sometimes, but really, how long would our allies in Asia last without the deterence of having US troops there?

I think that the focus has shifted, but we must still be vigilant. So what if the locals agree or not, we must make the case for continuing US policy in those countries where it makes sense. I think that we also must be plain, direct, and straightforward with those that ARE protesting US presence in their countries. We must tell them: Look, we may disagree on the Kyoto treaty or trade negotiations or war in Iraq, but the bottom line is we are not here for any of those reasons. We are here to protect YOU from THEM.

So, I agree with you all, but be easy on the nay-sayers. They have used the mantra 'US IMPERIALISM' to represent opposition to other things they disagree with us over. We've got big shoulders, we can take it.

Thanks,

Sholin

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Daily driver: '84 190D 2.2 5 spd.