So do you think that we don't get a benefit from having our troops stationed in other countries?

yep.

Im sure he would like that as well.

But the 'letter to america' post-dates 9/11. The fatwa predates it. And it is no coincidence that the hi-jackers were Saudis. The bases were the driving motivation, and they caused a lot of angst in Saudi Arabia in the gulf war period and afterwards. People who knew/know OBL have corroborated this. It really angered him to a great degree. I can only imagine how Saudi's would have reacted if they were told they not only had to tolerate americans on their soil, but also had to pay for it. Can you imagine?

Andrew

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Ethanol is a fabulous solution to our energy dilemma because it will provide more fuel for us to drive around and look for food.

-- Unknown

The U.S. Military has bases in plenty of countries that don't have oil. Your reasoning is shallow and your comment pointless.

They're not forced to do anything. They can tell the U.S. to piss off. You said yourself they would laugh and choose this option. Did you forget about that part?

There is benefit to the United States, as well as to the "free world," in the maintenance and preservation of peace and stability. High GDP countries, like those in Europe, for example, should pay their proportionate share.

It's been a tenet of Islam to convert the infidels to there faith for over a thousand years, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been going on for 60 years, US forces were in Saudi Arabia only a few years before the first WTC attack.

Just because he put it first on the list doesn't make it the deciding factor.

The attack was by Saudis, financed by Saudis, the argument that it was in response to US troops stationed in SA is pretty strong, and the confirmation of this is that Bush pulled the troops out of Saudi Arabia as soon as he could.

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“ The subjects of every state ought to contribute towards the support of the government, as nearly as possible, in proportion to their respective abilities; that is, in proportion to the revenue which they respectively enjoy under the protection of the state.”

Adam Smith , The Wealth of Nations 1776

"We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals; we know now that it is bad economics"
FDR's second Inaugural Address

All the new bases are in oil producing regions and where pipelines are built or are being planned. The previous bases date to other conflicts and other resource eras.

American foreign policy since the 70's has been focused on energy.



No they cant. Not in places like Saudi Arabia or Uzbekistan. given a choice they would laugh and tell you to fuck off, but since when do people living under dictatorships have a choice?


You are assuming the US bases and military influence leads to peace and stability instead of conflict and instability. Perhaps you should study the modern history of the ME and latin america.

Andrew

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Ethanol is a fabulous solution to our energy dilemma because it will provide more fuel for us to drive around and look for food.

-- Unknown

Gee, guess what ... Uzbekistan was able to tell the big, bad United States "No." Uzbekistan Terminates US Air Base Agreement

I wouldn't consider that arrangement something Uzbekistan would be responsible to pay for anyway as the arrangement was incident to the war in Afghanistan.

Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, which has taken advantage of the United States to provide for its own defense should be required to compensate the United States for that. I've no doubt that the monarchy there can afford it by dipping into their hefty palace fund. That being said, my personal preference would have been not to have gotten involved in defending Saudi Arabia or liberating Kuwait. I'd prefer to let them keep their money and deal with Saddam on their own.

Of course, the list of democratic, wealthy countries that take advantage of the U.S. Military for their own defense is long.

Thanks for the suggestion. And it's not an assumption. I'm also referring to the U.S. role as the world maritime watchdog.

Yea, but have you seen our air force:





I mean, What do you want the government to spend my money on. Almost 90% of Americans have healthcare with the rest not turned away and our poor are fat (I watch FOX...)???

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Only a liberal would know how hard it is to get a nicotine patch to stick to a monkey.

well theres an old saying, its never important till you need it......

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No individual can plan his own existence in their view.

So the state planners must arrogate to themselves the right to manipulate any sector of the economic system if the good of “society” or the “general welfare” is paramount.

Ipso- if the rights of the individual get in the way, the rights of the individual must be sublimated.

The Road to Serfdom
FA Hayek (interpretation)


Mortgage Backed Security survivor

Well THERE'S your problem!

Obesity can very much be related to a poor diet - highly processed, sodium- and fat-laden foods that have little nutritional value.

Fox doesn't want you to have all the facts. Fox just wants to help you feel more self-righteous.

__________________
When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

So why do we need to spend more on "defense" than the rest of the world combined, especially when you consider that most of the other defense spending is being done by our friends. Who exactly are we defending ourselves against?

Even friggin' Grover Norquist wants to make massive cuts in the the defense budget.

We are destroying the economy with these huge expenditures to defend ourselves against an enemy that hasn't existed for 20 years.

__________________
“ The subjects of every state ought to contribute towards the support of the government, as nearly as possible, in proportion to their respective abilities; that is, in proportion to the revenue which they respectively enjoy under the protection of the state.”

Adam Smith , The Wealth of Nations 1776

"We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals; we know now that it is bad economics"
FDR's second Inaugural Address

Just as well, obviously the 'great protector' of the US did nothing to stop the uzbek government from slaughtering its own people by the hundreds.

The government has, not the people. Besides, the US is in the ME to protect oil, which is fundamental to the american economy. The US chooses this, not the people of the ME. You like to pretend your military was there doing anything but protecting the interests of the american economy... America does not care what happens to Saudi Arabia otherwise.

So it is altruistic then? Or are you all just a bunch of suckers?

Are you going to tax the whales before or after you kill them with your sonar?

Andrew

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Ethanol is a fabulous solution to our energy dilemma because it will provide more fuel for us to drive around and look for food.

-- Unknown

Actually it doesn’t cost anything.
All the money goes back into the private sector and back into the hands from wherth it came.

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Only a liberal would know how hard it is to get a nicotine patch to stick to a monkey.

Wow, Hank. Every time I think you've hit your peak, you just keep going.

__________________
When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Is it your contention that Bush is the sole reason military spending is where it is, in comparison to the rest of the world?

__________________
Obama's New "57 State Patriotic Pin":




Sayeth John Drake - 10/13/08: "OK, you're right, I admit to LYING"

Alliances are cyclical.

At one time, we were allied with Saddam Hussein, and there was a time when we were bitter enemies with Japan and Germany.

Just because one of your "friends" is spending money on their military now doesn't mean that, ten years from now, they won't be an enemy poised to use that military against you...

__________________
Obama's New "57 State Patriotic Pin":




Sayeth John Drake - 10/13/08: "OK, you're right, I admit to LYING"