1 minute ago, BLMFem said:

Because your posts regarding Europe clearly indicate profound insecurities. You should probably try to work on that. Talking about it often helps.

How so?  We have many people from Europe who feel the US needs to continue to defend Europe at a considerable cost to the US taxpayers.    They also think the US soldiers should be willing to die for Europe for a third time.  

7 minutes ago, TedG said:

 

Did this happen before or after the invasion? 

Do you mean the SMO?

5 minutes ago, Stiddle Mump said:

Do you mean the SMO?

 

It's an invasion.  

12 minutes ago, TedG said:

How so?  We have many people from Europe who feel the US needs to continue to defend Europe at a considerable cost to the US taxpayers.    They also think the US soldiers should be willing to die for Europe for a third time.  

Do they? Which posts show "We have many people from Europe who feel the US needs to continue to defend Europe at a considerable cost to the US taxpayers."

9 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Do they? Which posts show "We have many people from Europe who feel the US needs to continue to defend Europe at a considerable cost to the US taxpayers."

 

Where did I say posters. 

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-09/european-allies-appeal-to-us-to-avert-a-shock-troop-reduction?embedded-checkout=true

 

https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence/news/four-reasons-europe-cant-trust-the-us-to-protect-it-anymore/

Why are they there at all?

How many Euro soldiers are in the USA?

1 hour ago, TedG said:

 

You hate to admit that the USA does something better than Europe. 

It certainly does, electing a complete idiot as President. Flipflopping daily on tariffs with a Cabinet whose every member has to obsequiously praise Trump on TV, the US is in serious trouble.

1 hour ago, TedG said:

How many US troops have died in the past to liberal Europe? 

 

1 hour ago, TedG said:

 

So <deleted> what?   How many US troops have died in the past to liberal Europe?   Are you willing to go to war to defend Europe? 

 

1 hour ago, TedG said:

Who does a better job integrating other cultures and people.  The USA or Europe? 

 

1 hour ago, TedG said:

 

Why do you call me a MAGA cultist?

 

1 hour ago, TedG said:

 

What do you mean by insecurities?

 

49 minutes ago, TedG said:

Who is threatening the Russians? 

 

45 minutes ago, TedG said:

Why are you claiming that I'm insecure?

 

39 minutes ago, TedG said:

 

Did this happen before or after the invasion? 

 

See what I mean?

11 minutes ago, TedG said:

Where did I say posters. 

Without a link that's the only way your post should be read.

 

The first link makes the same claim as you do, i disagree with the opinion.

Just now, stevenl said:

Without a link that's the only way your post could be read.

 

The first link makes the same claim as you do, i disagree with the opinion.

 

You are 100% wrong.  

1 minute ago, BLMFem said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See what I mean?

 

I don't see what you mean.  Explain yourself. 

3 minutes ago, bannork said:

It certainly does, electing a complete idiot as President. Flipflopping daily on tariffs with a Cabinet whose every member has to obsequiously praise Trump on TV, the US is in serious trouble.

Yes, we are better than Europe. 

15 minutes ago, TedG said:

Yes, we are better than Europe. 

Exactly, far better at electing dumb leaders.

1 hour ago, TedG said:

Who does a better job integrating other cultures and people.  The USA or Europe? 

The Muslims?

45 minutes ago, TedG said:

Where did I say posters. 

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-09/european-allies-appeal-to-us-to-avert-a-shock-troop-reduction?embedded-checkout=true

 

https://www.euractiv.com/section/defence/news/four-reasons-europe-cant-trust-the-us-to-protect-it-anymore/

 

Did you even read the articles you linked to? Neither of them says that many people from Europe feel the US should continue to defend them. 

 

The first article says the Europeans, "have accepted that President Donald Trump’s administration will almost certainly withdraw some of the roughly 80,000 US troops deployed in Europe," but would like any such withdrawal to be coordinated properly.

 

The second article talks about the fact that Europe can no longer trust the US to protect it (that's literally the title of the article) and points out among other things that, "the Trump administration seems intent on giving the Europeans plenty of reasons to get brutally serious about taking responsibility for their own defence."

 

So where is the evidence of the "many people" of whom you speak? (Hint: it's not in either of those articles).

6 minutes ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

 

Did you even read the articles you linked to? Neither of them says that many people from Europe feel the US should continue to defend them. 

 

The first article says the Europeans, "have accepted that President Donald Trump’s administration will almost certainly withdraw some of the roughly 80,000 US troops deployed in Europe," but would like any such withdrawal to be coordinated properly.

 

The second article talks about the fact that Europe can no longer trust the US to protect it (that's literally the title of the article) and points out among other things that, "the Trump administration seems intent on giving the Europeans plenty of reasons to get brutally serious about taking responsibility for their own defence."

 

So where is the evidence of the "many people" of whom you speak? (Hint: it's not in either of those articles).

 

 

European Allies Appeal to the US to avert Shock Troop Reduction.  

 

 

 

Reading is fundamental. 

 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, TedG said:

Yet, you need the USA to defend you. 

 

No I don't. On the contrary, it is the USA that requires the support and assistance of other nations.

Did you forget that the only  NATO member to ever invoke the mutual defense obligation was the USA?

The USA certainly  was appreciative of the assistance and the support of the  French and British navies when Iran was launching its missile strikes a few months ago. 

 

Fortunately, you are not running the US military and have no say in matters. The US military has a different, more mature and intelligent  position than you. Your childish antagonism also, fortunately does not reflect how US military personnel behave. Here is an article from 2013. It may be full of anecdotes, but it speaks to the respect  western militaries have for each other when it matters.

https://www.aei.org/foreign-and-defense-policy/heres-how-armed-forces-of-other-nations-view-the-us-military/

9 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Awww, isnt that cute LOL

Nothing cute, but a sad reflection of US reality. Life is grand for the haves. Unfortunately, life is rather harsh for the 40 million or so US citizens who live in crushing poverty. A child poverty rate of 20% in one of the world's wealthiest nations is nothing to be proud of. Worse, is that much of it is caused by state policy with much of the worst poverty found in Republican dominated states.  Fact.

12 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Nothing cute, but a sad reflection of US reality. Life is grand for the haves. Unfortunately, life is rather harsh for the 40 million or so US citizens who live in crushing poverty. A child poverty rate of 20% in one of the world's wealthiest nations is nothing to be proud of. Worse, is that much of it is caused by state policy with much of the worst poverty found in Republican dominated states.  Fact.

 

You are lying about the child poverty rate in the USA.  It's easy to look these things up. 

 

As of 2023, approximately 24.8% of children under 18 in the European Union (EU) were at risk of poverty or social exclusion, equating to about 20 million children across the 27 EU member states. 

 

Shall we compare the poverty rates of the USA and Europe? 

 

Poverty rate USA 11.1%

Poverty rate Europe 21.4%

 

 

 

On 4/11/2025 at 9:04 PM, bannork said:

Donald Trump is considering withdrawing some American soldiers from Europe, which could affect Poland and Romania. Approximately 80,000 American soldiers are stationed in Europe, and the planned reduction would affect half of them.

However, reducing American forces in Europe would be a disastrous signal to Moscow, warns General Chris Cavoli, the commander of NATO forces in Europe.

In addition, The influential House Armed Services Committee, led by Chairman Michael Rogers, strongly opposes Trump's plans. The congressman firmly rejected reducing the number of American soldiers in Europe, and any potential withdrawal of the US from commanding NATO formations on the continent.

 Rogers stressed that U.S. leadership in NATO is essential to ensure armed American forces, including US nuclear weapons, always remained under U.S. command.  

In addition, The Armed Services Committee said a cut back in the number of American troops stationed in Europe might be seen as a falling-off of US commitment to protecting its allies.

Trump's troop pullback plan sparks congressional backlash

 

Oh no, more 'Russia fearporn', Putin have been in charge fro 20yrs, he could have invaded whenever he wanted, he didn't, switch off the media

If Russia were to invade Alaska across that 52 mile gap, there's not much the EU could do anyway. Best not to get involved.

28 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

Nothing cute, but a sad reflection of US reality. Life is grand for the haves. Unfortunately, life is rather harsh for the 40 million or so US citizens who live in crushing poverty. A child poverty rate of 20% in one of the world's wealthiest nations is nothing to be proud of. Worse, is that much of it is caused by state policy with much of the worst poverty found in Republican dominated states.  Fact.

 

BTW..Speaking of poor states in the USA.

 

Mississippi, the poorest state in the United States, is close to surpassing Europe's largest economy Germany's GDP per capita. Euronews Business compares US states with European countries.

 

https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/01/03/the-poorest-us-state-rivals-germany-gdp-per-capita-in-the-us-and-europe

9 minutes ago, Purdey said:

If Russia were to invade Alaska across that 52 mile gap, there's not much the EU could do anyway. Best not to get involved.

There will be no invasion of Alaska by Russia

Tell us you have limited  education and limited business skills without telling us.

 

38 minutes ago, TedG said:

We don't need your help.   

You're a child and can't admit that Europe is irrelevant, and you people lack the military to defend yourself from Russia.  So, Piss off. 

 

You did not speak to the points that were  provided. Instead you have responded with a childish insults. The USA was in large part responsible for the structure of militaries post WWII. Who imposed a constitution on Germany that had the restrictions on military spending? (Not that the USA was wrong, but one should be honest in recognizing the historical basis.)   

 

The reality is that  the EU is at risk to Russia because it was backing the USA's foreign policy. It supported US political positions and the result is that it is now betrayed because  a new President  is an isolationist.  The USA would be singing a different tune tomorrow, if the EU said F it, and cut a deal with both Russia and China to the USA's detriment. Today, the USA is expecting other Nations to rally to its  initiated confrontation with China. Your arguments about Russia and the EU can be reversed when it comes to China and the USA.  The fact is that the USA does have a valid point in asking the EU to take on more responsibility, but it is dishonest to ignore the reasons  why  it ended up like this.

 

33 minutes ago, TedG said:

 

You are lying about the child poverty rate in the USA.  It's easy to look these things up. 

 

As of 2023, approximately 24.8% of children under 18 in the European Union (EU) were at risk of poverty or social exclusion, equating to about 20 million children across the 27 EU member states. 

Shall we compare the poverty rates of the USA and Europe? 

Poverty rate USA 11.1%

Poverty rate Europe 21.4%

 

 

You accuse me of lying, because you are incapable of making an accurate comparison of data.  When comparing data conclusions, one must  ensure that the data parameters are similar. The EU defines poverty differently. It sets a more encompassing threshold and it includes those who are at risk of poverty. The EU poverty  threshold is set at 60% of the national median equivalised disposable income. The USA uses a threshold of approx. 40% of national median income. That difference is significant. Adjust for 40% in the EU, or 60% in the USA and a much different result is obtained. The same applies for the calculation of  child poverty.

 

I don't know whether to laugh or to feel sorry for you. 

 

Maybe you truly believe the number of 21.4%, but you have misinterpreted the  number. From the actual EU report;  In 2023, there were around 94.6 million people in the EU at risk of poverty or social exclusion, which was equivalent to 21.4 % of the total population.  This is not the same as how the USA views poverty. It reflects social policy attitudes. The USA concentrates on the most extreme type of poverty, The EU includes lack of opportunity to thrive. It also includes a large number of people who are excluded in the USA such as classes of refugees and migrants. The presence of millions of people in the EU who are  given access to social benefits also inflates the EU numbers.  

 

19 minutes ago, TedG said:

 

BTW..Speaking of poor states in the USA.

 

Mississippi, the poorest state in the United States, is close to surpassing Europe's largest economy Germany's GDP per capita. Euronews Business compares US states with European countries.

 

https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/01/03/the-poorest-us-state-rivals-germany-gdp-per-capita-in-the-us-and-europe

 

And once again you misinterpret data. Yes the GDP for MS is high. However it is still one of the lowest in the USA and you miss that the number is artificially inflated because the Government (sector) contributed the most to GDP in Mississippi. Compare that to the top states where  government spending is a much small components. Government spending is why DC has the largest  GDP in the USA. And yet poverty is invasive and visible everywhere in DC.   

Anyway, the issue was one of poverty and the fact remains that poverty is intense in MS. There is a segment of the population that does very well, but there is a larger segment of the population that doesn't. It is about quality of life. Having access to medical care, good education, social services, elder care and living in peace and security costs. The people of MS don't want to invest in that, whereas the people of Germany do. 

 

 

59 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

There will be no invasion of Alaska by Russia

 

Is that because Sarah Palin can see Russia from her back porch and will sound the alarm if she sees anything suspicious, which scares off the Russians?

On 4/11/2025 at 10:45 AM, NorthernRyland said:

This is good. Why does Europe wan't to rely on American troops instead of supplying their own defense?

Because they are lazy and weak.

53 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

Is that because Sarah Palin can see Russia from her back porch and will sound the alarm if she sees anything suspicious, which scares off the Russians?

She never made that claim.

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

T

 

 

And once again you misinterpret data. Yes the GDP for MS is high. However it is still one of the lowest in the USA and you miss that the number is artificially inflated because the Government (sector) contributed the most to GDP in Mississippi. Compare that to the top states where  government spending is a much small components. Government spending is why DC has the largest  GDP in the USA. And yet poverty is invasive and visible everywhere in DC.   

Anyway, the issue was one of poverty and the fact remains that poverty is intense in MS. There is a segment of the population that does very well, but there is a larger segment of the population that doesn't. It is about quality of life. Having access to medical care, good education, social services, elder care and living in peace and security costs. The people of MS don't want to invest in that, whereas the people of Germany do. 

 

 

Lowest GDP in the USA, but close to the Germans.   What does that tell you?

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

 

I don't know whether to laugh or to feel sorry for you. 

 

 

 

I feel sorry for you.  You can't accept that Europe is irrelevant. 

2 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

 

Maybe you truly believe the number of 21.4%, but you have misinterpreted the  number. From the actual EU report;  In 2023, there were around 94.6 million people in the EU at risk of poverty or social exclusion, which was equivalent to 21.4 % of the total population.  This is not the same as how the USA views poverty. It reflects social policy attitudes. The USA concentrates on the most extreme type of poverty, The EU includes lack of opportunity to thrive. It also includes a large number of people who are excluded in the USA such as classes of refugees and migrants. The presence of millions of people in the EU who are  given access to social benefits also inflates the EU numbers.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

At risk of poverty or social exclusion, abbreviated as AROPE, corresponds to the sum of persons who are either at risk of poverty, or severely materially and socially deprived or living in a household with a very low work intensity. People are included only once even if they are in more than one of the situations mentioned above. The AROPE rate is the share of the total population which is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. It is the main indicator to monitor the EU 2030 target on poverty and social exclusion and was the headline indicator to monitor the EU 2020 Strategy poverty target.

 

This does not sound rosy for 21% of the population.