Massive World Protests Tomorrow

[GePap]

Originally posted by LoneWolf
Of the nations opposing us, there is not a single one that does not receive significant aid from us (yes, including France and Germany). Again I ask, why do we continue this?

Or maybe the lack of response is answer enough.

Significant aid????

Lets see, the US aid budget is about 10 billion: 3 billion goes to israel, 2 go to Egypt, the rest here and there, but of course, Germany (GNP about 2 Trillion+) and France (GNP about 1.5 trillion) sure need that aid money from the US's 10 trillion GNP.

No, Germany and France , and certainly China, do not recieve any aid money form the US governemnt, and France and Germany do not get any US aid money even inderectly thorugh UN programs (in the way china might).

Hope that response is answer enough.

[notyoueither]

And how much have Germany and France spent to defend themselves? How much did they spend to defend themselves?

How many countries have free loaded on the US defense budget?

[Nubclear]

GERMANY:

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$38.8 billion (2002)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.38% (2002)

FRANCE:

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$46.5 billion (2000)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
2.57% (2002)

UNITED STATES:

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$276.7 billion (FY99 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
3.2% (FY99 est

UNITED KINGDOM:

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$31.7 billion (2002)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
2.32% (2002)

Source: CIA World Factbook 2002

[Dinner]

The truth is Germany and France both recieve indirect aid from the U.S. in the form of defense subsidies. It is also monsterously unfair that we continue to accept the import of EU goods (such as agricultural good or steel) which have recieve gigantic direct subsidies but this is another matter.

[GePap]

What is the US defending Germany and France from, aftre the fall fo the Soviets? The Iraqis? The Terrorists? US bases in Europe are as much for our benefit as their, in fact, more for ours at this point. Wehter the frencha dn germans want to spend more ont ehir militaries is a political choice left to them.

As for the subsidies issue: take it up with the WTO: wait, that is exactly what the US does (correclty)

[notyoueither]

Right Tass, IOW, they are depending on the US to maintain the security of the oil fields. Just as 20 years ago they relied on the US to deter the Red Army from moving West.

Only, now they're *****ing because the French and Russians have some contracts in those particular oil fields. How much of a fuss do you think the French would throw up if it were not for those interests?

It's all about oil? Yep. But not for Bush and the Yanks.

[Ted Striker]

Well done notyoueither.

[Nubclear]

Originally posted by notyoueither
It's all about oil? Yep. But not for Bush and the Yanks.

No, the entire thing is about oil. For France, for the US, for Russia....for everyone. Because otherwise they wouldnt care if a dictator half a world away is killed and a country plunges into anarchy.

[Asher]

Does anyone on this damn board understand a damn thing about how oil works internationally, or we all just playing a game where we can keep saying "nopenopenope, it's all oil, nope nope nope" ad naseum? Give me a break.

[notyoueither]

Yes, Tass. We all care when it is a dictator who has invaded 2 of his oil producing neighbours. It's just the French have chosen a peculiar time to dig in.

Some of us even think that if he is left alone he might just do it again. Apparently the French and some others don't give a damn about this, or the plight of the Iraqi people.

Tell me, how many times have the French moved for the sanctions to be lifted recently? They haven't. They are perfectly happy to see Saddam go on starving his people, but God help you if you try to interfere with their status quo re power in the region.

Can you spell hypocrite? I knew you could.

[Nubclear]

Originally posted by Asher
we all just playing a game where we can keep saying "nopenopenope, it's all oil, nope nope nope" ad naseum?

Congratulations. You get a cookie.

Give me a break.

Asher is onery today..... It's time for your nap.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Tassadar5000
Congratulations. You get a cookie.

I just wanted to make sure Apolyton was collectively talking out of our asses.

Asher is onery today..... It's time for your nap.

I think you mean ornery.

[Drake Tungsten]

I just wanted to make sure Apolyton was collectively talking out of our asses.

Was it ever in doubt?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Ted Striker
Seeing as how the Eurocoms have lost all sense of a moral backbone, I am going to be holding a retroactive "No War Against Hitler" march.

Ted, Ted, Ted. Everybody knows that this war has nothing to do with morals.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Right Tass, IOW, they are depending on the US to maintain the security of the oil fields.

Oil fields? Defending the oil fields from whom, may I ask? Will the Iraqis capture the North Sea oil fields?

This is just getting more ludicrous all the time.