You do realize that neither Trump nor any other US Chief Executive can "leave NATO" right? It takes a supermajority of the Senate or legislation passed by Congress to do that.

Trump just wants you deadbeat Germans to pay your share.

Some said they were after the racoon in the first, and the squirrel was just the excuse. Different to squirrels, racoons can carry rabies. But I don't know how common it is. But I have respect for the possibility of an animal being infected with rabies, from experience.

I know that we did. Over 700 Canadian linemen, including more than 300 from Atlantic Canada, were sent to North and South Carolina after Hurricane Helene. We like you guys.

:salute:

You Guys up North are Great!
:salute:

Sitting here awaiting Kamala's speech. Or should I say word puzzle salad?

Coming soon.
The American Inqusition!
Expected by Nobody since 2020!
:har:

That had to be the only speech I ever heard Her give that made sense.
Had She spoke like that before? She may have won the Election.

On one hand he has the majority, also in the senate now. Congress remains to be seen.
On the other hand I do not think that Trump will entirely drop out of NATO, no.

Germany has paid its 2 percent in 2024, but it is by far not enough. The "time change" Scholz announced two years ago did not take place. He has to go.

"The mere ratio to a country's gross domestic product (GDP) says little about its real defense performance as a NATO member. Greece, for example, has cut its defense budget several times in recent years and still meets the two percent target - simply because the Greek GDP has continued to fall.

As further proof of the unsuitability of the two percent criterion, is that Germany would quickly meet the target if it fell into a deep economic recession.
Hardly anyone disputes that there are probably better parameters for measuring fair burden-sharing within the alliance - for example, the military units actually made available to the alliance or participation in joint operations."

That may well be true. I hadn't heard that. In reality, both animals remained inside and likely had no Rabies based on exposure. No mention was made of any vacinations these animals may or may not have received. Regardless, there were large expeditures in terms of time and Money in paying eight officers over a Squirrel and Raccoon. This is sheer madness and stupidity and over reach at it's worst.

The Republicans do not have a super majority in Senate. That would be 67 GOP Senators. They only have 52.

Yes, I do not argue that. However, the adminstrative and financial side of this is not interesting for me as I am no citizen of your country, but I see it from the perspective of the animals - and the human and his help project. Both these command my sympathy.

Its worth to note that the twisted election system in the US distorts the simple voting behaviour.
While Trump leads currently with roughly 60% of all electors, if you simply count the ballot votes nation-wide you have a slightly different picture, Trump still leads, but currently only with 50.9% of the votes taken, whereas Harris currently is at 47.5%. This indicates that at ordinary citizen level the race was tighter than the official result illustrates. Or in numbers: 67,150,000 votes for Harris currently, 72,002,000 for Trump. 3 results to go at the time of typing this.

Its a strange, antique system build by the situation of the time it was formed in. I know the explanations and excuses, but I do not really buy them, nor am I the first questioning the wisdom in it. Anyway.


The German system btw is not much less "strange". Different, but as weired. I think they make election system this way intentionally, to bypass the idea behind having elections.

I can understand and agree with that. I can't help but feel rage that these animals were ripped from from the only home they had ever known and from the only love and care they had ever known as well. This by individuals that couldn't have cared less about these animals. I'm sure the animals felt terrorized as well.

When we had groundhogs undermining the outside barn, I simply trapped them and relocated them to a new home with nice running water stream. I could have easily killed them but respected their life and wanted them to be able live and in peace.

* My apologies everyone if we highjacked this thread during this discussion.*

The point is that any nation that spends so little for its defence as to cause self-degrading effects for its defence capabilities like this is the case in Germany, does something wrong, and spends too little.

However, we have another problem, too. Demographics. Compensating for disadvantageous demographics raises the costs since you miust invest in more, better high tech. And as I often said in other threads and as we see in Ukraine, technological advanatges compensate for numerical inferiority only to a certain degree, and then not further.

Trump simplifies with his 2% bill remarks, as he always does, but there is truth in it, fo course. Wemsut invest more,a dn become better and more effective in investing (killing the overboarding bureaucracy, that means). Not for America, or Trump's ego - but for ourselves and our own interest in the first.


I personally guess we need 80% less bureaucracy in the BW, an opening of the forces for foreigners like is practiced in some other NATO countries, maybe evenb a foreign legion component, and a budget in the range of 3.5-4% like during the cold war. Biggest weakness currently is the absence of any effective defence against drones. And what will not make me popular here in Germany: German nuclear weapons, and not under EU control. I am strictly against the EU fielding and commanding its own army. 30+ chefs in the kitchen- the idea is insane . So is to double the costs due to parallel military structres. Europe should grow to take more control in NATO. That gives relief to the US whcih then can focus more on the Pacific. NATO should stay out of Pacific gameplay, however. Its not the Pacific Treaty Organization.

All eyes are on us, the American people, standing together at a critical crossroads for our nation. The challenges we face are real and formidable: tensions with Russia, escalating threats from Iran, and the nuclear ambitions of North Korea. As we look to reclaim our influence, the Republican Party steps forward with a vision rooted in strength, resilience, and a commitment to the values that built this country. It’s time to rally, to unify, and to act boldly in the face of these crises. By renewing our dedication to a strong, secure, and prosperous America, we set a powerful example for the world and ensure a brighter, safer future for generations to come. Let us rise with purpose, resolve, and a clear sense of who we are as Americans.:salute:

In Germany, 90% of groundhogs are gone, forever. Biologists say the species will most likely not recover over here.
I share your sentiments for the other being, the animal, living beside us. Its why I feel deeply for the individual squirrels in my garden, and gave them names. That I know three of them since five years, also does something to my sense of committment. When they change their fur, I add vitamins to their water, I spend 600-700 Euros for nuts per year, and I used slingshot shots to scare away cats and sometimes a rat. Cats I scare, but rats I fully hit. I'm good with slingshots, very. :03:
If I would have the space and location, I would run a squirrel rehab station, a small one at least. But my place unfortunately is totally unsuited for it. I have the time, I have a good basis in knowledge and I have plenty of time and live a now quite and laid back life and know what I am into if raising little squirrels (life runs in 90 minute intervals day and night, for weeks). Its just that I do not have the room and space. Its kind of tragic, really. But then, I also know how easily many of them can die, from diseases and parasites.

Very well said. :yep: :salute:

Until a question is asked. Then she starts the word salad.