Sooner or later we're going to decide that both WWII and the Cold War are over. So we might begin to pull 50,000 troops or so out of Germany. And the DoDDS teachers, MWR librarians, AFN disk jockies, AAFES PX/BX retailers ...
First thing first.
If only we could do it SOONER we might be able to focus our efforts on Iran. Q! Q!
Again, my perceptions are warped by experience. I remember when the Army re-organized to close out operations in Frankfurt -- and the Green Party -- THE GREENS! Next Best thing to Communists -- protested because they felt they needed the Army there -- to provide Armed Forces Network Radio! The Greens didn't trust their own government and they wanted the AMERICAN ARMY to provide an outside, trustworthy, viewpoint.
It's time to leave when the local opposition gets all dependent and clingy.
Actually, if there's any lessons to be learned from the WWII European experience -- it's time to leave long before that.
But the WW ONE experience tells us not to leave too soon.
Mission Accomplished / Homeward Bound
First thing first.
If only we could do it SOONER we might be able to focus our efforts on Iran. Q! Q!
Again, my perceptions are warped by experience. I remember when the Army re-organized to close out operations in Frankfurt -- and the Green Party -- THE GREENS! Next Best thing to Communists -- protested because they felt they needed the Army there -- to provide Armed Forces Network Radio! The Greens didn't trust their own government and they wanted the AMERICAN ARMY to provide an outside, trustworthy, viewpoint.
It's time to leave when the local opposition gets all dependent and clingy.
Actually, if there's any lessons to be learned from the WWII European experience -- it's time to leave long before that.
But the WW ONE experience tells us not to leave too soon.
I'm glad it's not my decision.