>>>4 Trident Subs could take out every major city on the planet
>>
>>So we don't need your nuclear umbrella then?
>
>Probably not, but we have your back anyway.

Don't you mean, in Hollywood military parlance, "We've got your 6"? :-)

>>
>>>Last I heard we had about 70K troops based in Europe also, and bases, and hardware (Tanks, Guns, Etc)
>>
>>Still don't trust those Ruskies and East Germans, eh?
>>I think we still do too, but probably cos there's nowhere to put them back home.
>>I don't know why any NATO troops are still based in Germany.
>>Materiel probably still there cos it's handier for Iraq than taking it across the Atlantic. Bit like leaving your stuff in your ex-missus' garage cos your flat isn't big enough, or the pick-up truck is being used in earnest elsewhere :-)
>>As you said, US is very self-serving.
>
>Yes the US is self serving, yes we still don't trust the russians (or just about anybody else at this point.) and that stuff is primarily for our own protection and convience.
>
>>>>To a large extent, yes I can. If it hadn't been for 2 crippling world wars, invasion of empire territory by aliens, reliance on debt to the USA, etc. (the points I already raised) who's to say that the Empire wopuldn't have lasted in a peaceful, stable world.
>>>
>>>Peaceful, Stable world, obviously we do not share the same planet!
>>
>>I didn't say it was; if I'd I'd said "In a perfect world" would you have thought I though it was too?
>
>No, you just used the excuse of the world not being perfect for the decline of the empire, I am saying that not being a perfect world is a given and you need to prepare for that.

I'm not excusing the loss of Empire. Some would say it was an abomination anyway. But I said that if there hadn't been such strife in the world then the Empire may not have (all) disappeared. It's funny to look back from a 21st century viewpoint, how it seemed that every week, in the 60s, the Union Jack was being lowered on yet another far-away colony. But now, to think we ever "owned" these lands is a weird concept, like looking back on your grand-parents' owning slaves.

Personally I think you should give back the mid-west to the plains indians, and the eastern seaboard back to the Iroquoi, Mohicans, Mohawks, Algonquin, etc., and you guys move into the wee "islands" of their reservations, like we've had to withdraw to these.

>
>>>>
>>>>We're doing that in Iraq and Afghanistan! :-)
>>>
>>>OOH...13K troops combined, with 6K ready to pull out (if they haven't already)
>>
>>See this bit of the line -> :-) ?
>>
>>It means this is a joke. But typical yank gotta boast how big your stuff is cf. ours, how ours is inadequate.
>
>I'd hardly call myself a typical Yank, I think your country was smart to limit their involvement in Iraq, I wish ours would have done the same. Ours IS bigger, but that isn't the point :-)

No, but you reverted to the typical "look what we got compared to the half-assed Limeys" stand-point. Back at the start of the last Gulf War I was in NY, at the "Boston Comedy Club" (I think in the Village). I made the mistake of allowing myself to be seated up front (naiive about such venues back then). One comedian, with the "Where are you from?" bit, when I replied, "England" said, "Oh you guys are really helping us out in the Gulf there ... Thanks for the tent.". He quickly moved on before I could reply, "Well you guys helped us out in the Falklands ... Thanks for the gattling gun".

Which brings me on to remind you that this is the second time we've unnecessarily "assisted" you in this arena. Nuff said.

>
>>
>>And we DID deploy to Afghanistan to releave your guys, and we're stuck in heavy fighting that your guys aren't now having to do.
>
>Thanks!

I don't know whether that's sarcasm, as we don't ask for thanks.

>>
>>And we are taking care of the Basra area for you.
>
>Thanks Again!

Ditto. I'm just pointing out that we're not there just for sex appeal!

>>
>>What more do you want? For us to invent an extra army out the blue? We're already spending a huge amount on this, and have done now since 2003 (and get tank buster cannon fire up the @ss as thanks) Talk about ungrateful!
>>
>>Terry
>
>I'm not ungrateful, just realistic. We spend a bit on our military also so we can fight our own battles. It's nice to have other countries offer to help, but the reality of it is the way our government ticks off people around the globe, thay have to be prepared to go it alone.