>Now that was a silly and uninformed statement. :o) I was stationed in Germany for 3 years, Panama for a couple, ( and a lot of other places I won't mention). Is Germany part of the American empire? Is Panama? Why were American forces in Germany? Do you even know? Every service member stationed there had to know. Why are American service members in South Korea? Why were American service members sent to the Sinai? There are American service member in many places and in most cases it is by invitation of the host government. Why are there American bases in England or British territories?


I think Panama is an excellent example to show what Nick is saying, as there would be no Panama if it were not for the US interests for a strategic location.