I think I shall. You know, this is the only thread Ive ever made on this topic or that has devolved into this topic where people have agreed with me.
Well, not exactly.
I've talked to some native Germans who are now part of the Uni's Deutsch Department once you brought. Most of them sort of just shrugged it off. I found one lady who actually worked at one of the US Air Force bases a long time ago as a secretary. She ended up meeting her husband there, and now they're here...but anyways...I haven't found much resentment.
Of course, none of them were soldiers or people who have your type of honour code, Telan.
A Relay is not neccessary - if American annexation of Iraq and Afghanistan is permitted to continue then so too can the German Annexation of Silesia and Sudetenland etc.
Of course, I think the countries currently holding the Sudetenland and Silesia might object, and probably fight. Though historically speaking, Sudetenland certainly was a part of the Germany.
The bases are superfluous - American interests can be served from their own shores and countries or their naval forces. The territorial sovereignty of a nation must be maintained and the global hypocrisy stopped. If the German Army cannot maintain bases in Poland or France how can the US maintain them in countries where they have no legitimate purpose.
The problem with this all is embedded in old treaties made when shortly after the World Wars. As harsh as this sounds, to the victors go the spoils. And the Victors do indeed write history, and in many cases, the law.
What is certain is that the US bases are not needed as much as they once were.
Let me elaborate by illustrating only one point of many. In the German tongue, Volk meant people as a group or literally people. Volksdeutsch were ethnic German, Volksarmee was the Peoples Army, and Volkswagon was People's Car. With the exception of the latter, that word was forbidden to be spoken when the Ami's came to power. The word 'Personnen' was put in its place by them - not us, and forced on us in schools where the indoctrination of the young began extolling the virtues of the Ami's liberating our pool and wretched souls from the Nazi heel and guarding us against the Russians. Blah blah blah. Another word controlled and manipulated is Reich. It literally means Empire, though over time it began more importantly to signify ours above others, but as a nation you are entitled to a bit of pride. After the war it was phased out and now Imperiales or Imperialen is in place where Reich or Reichs should be.
I wouldn't terribly be surprised about that. This is politics. Words and phrases commonly associated with hostile, or things considered to be wrong by the victors, often get renamed or fall into disuse.
Comrade was certainly used more within the Western world until Communism rose to power. Look at a bunch of epic 19th century writings. It was certainly used as friend, or often, a fellow soldier. But Communism gave it a distaste to many Westerners because of its association with the Communist Party.
What of the decorations borne of blood and fire that were worn only by the proud and brave and respected even by their enemies such as the Ritterkreuz or Kriegmertikreuz?
Again, these are viewed as symbols of the defeated power, must like the above words. Soldiers and some honourable others see past the allegiance to what the medals really stand for: virtues. But not everyone sees that, which is a problem. Because even the virtuous defeated deserve distinction for their accomplishments.
I can't really comment on how Deutschland has become a pawn of nations. In my mind, and many of those around me at the Uni, it isn't. To me, it seems to have thrived, surpassing many of the other European countries around it. And currently, Deutschland is leading the European Union if I remember correctly.