It Can't Happen Soon Enough

Let them take responsibility for their own defense:

The US is expected to announce on Monday that it is pulling 70,000 troops out of Europe and Asia in the largest restructuring of its global military presence since the second world war.

People briefed on the plan say two-thirds of the reductions will come in Europe, most of them military personnel stationed in Germany who will be sent back to US bases.

An additional 100,000 support staff and military families worldwide will be part of the realignment.

The changes are expected to be announced by President George W. Bush at a speech to the Convention of Veterans of Foreign Wars in Cinncinatti, Ohio, on Monday.

That would be a start to a much more healthy relationship. Europeans can be responisible for themselves and, in turn, appreciate our assistance when they get it -- instead of simultaneously resenting it and taking it for granted.