Getting involved in Libya

[The Storyteller]

My family (me and my lovely wife) give thanks every day for the Brits also. If not for the British invasion in the 60's (music) and the British sitcoms, and the British actors, and the language, and the culture, and the example they set for the entire world - we would be a much lesser place.

Yes, at least there's James Bond (or so my wife would say) and Monty Python to thank them for.

I'm only ragging on the Brits because some of them on these boards take such a superior attitude. They can snark about us, but first time someone mentions their second rate military prowess they pitch a hissy fit.

[bae]

I'm only ragging on the Brits because some of them on these boards take such a superior attitude. They can snark about us, but first time someone mentions their second rate military prowess they pitch a hissy fit.

I have had the pleasure of interacting with some British troops at training classes. They were first rate.

I have a friend who was on South Georgia Island with the Royal Marines when the Argentinians invaded. They were vastly outnumbered, and still managed to hold out admirably until their capture. They put an Argentinian naval vessel out of commission with smallarms...

[The Storyteller]

I have had the pleasure of interacting with some British troops at training classes. They were first rate.

I'm sure they were. There just aren't enough of them nor are they sufficiently armed to be a true power.

[The Storyteller]

So funny how these discussions evolve. So many straw men to be knocked down. Might help if folks commented on or took issue with what others actually say rather than what they didn't.

[Zigzagman]

So funny how these discussions evolve. So many straw men to be knocked down. Might help if folks commented on or took issue with what others actually say rather than what they didn't.

Good Observation, Storyteller!! In my case, I usually am saying something I want to share and try to tie it to the topic - I've never been that great of a listener. I have been trying to get better at that but old habits are hard to break. Do you know "Buster"? He is an Okie and you remind me of him.

Peace

[The Storyteller]

Do you know "Buster"? He is an Okie and you remind me of him.

Peace

Never met him.

[Eggs and Shrubs]

Yes, at least there's James Bond (or so my wife would say) and Monty Python to thank them for.

I'm only ragging on the Brits because some of them on these boards take such a superior attitude. They can snark about us, but first time someone mentions their second rate military prowess they pitch a hissy fit.

Come on then name names. I'm following your advice and taking issue with what you said not what you didn't.

[Eggs and Shrubs]

WOW - we in Britain just give thanks daily that we have haven't been invaded because of our friends, the USA.

Every DAY.

Pity they weren't around when we needed them in 1066!

In a sense we have been invaded BY the US. The link below is the list of US Air Force Bases in the UK.

http://www.caab.org.uk/the-american-...-are-the-bases

[The Storyteller]

The link below is the list of US Air Force Bases in the UK.

http://www.caab.org.uk/the-american-...-are-the-bases

You make my point beautifully.

[Alan]

Pity they weren't around when we needed them in 1066!

In a sense we have been invaded BY the US. The link below is the list of US Air Force Bases in the UK.

http://www.caab.org.uk/the-american-...-are-the-bases

If that could be considered an invasion, at least it was an invasion by invitation.

When the Europeans realized that the Treaty of Brussels, signed in 1948 by Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, and the United Kingdom, did not provide the military power needed to protect them from the Soviet Union, they began an active recruitment effort to bring the United States into their fold. This resulted in the North Atlantic Treaty which was signed the following year.

France eventually objected to being dependant on the US and withdrew from the alliance. I vividly remember Charles DeGaulle asking the United States military to leave France in 1966. We may be the only "invaders" in history that when asked to leave, simply did!

That was a win/win for him, he got to show his resolve and independence to his countrymen while knowing that France would remain under the protective umbrella that we extended over his neighbors. A brilliant move actually.

The rest of the European alliance has continued to depend upon NATO for their primary defense, seemingly gladly accepting the invited US presence in their countries. I wonder what would happen if the US backed out of their NATO commitment, which would then require the remaining European countries to fill the void?

Personally, I think it may be time to find out, especially if our purpose there has been forgotten by the locals and we're seen in the light of an invader rather than as an invited presence. It would certainly help our national debt as well.