US Military Base in the DR

[CarpeDReam]

DR1 News - http://www.dr1.com/#5

What do you guys think are the pros and cons here??? how will this change the DR if at all?

[Mirador]

IMHO, no pros, all cons...

[jpblan11]

I cannot think of one pro. Whats next bombing of isla beata for US Naval practice. This is a marriage which Dominicans may regret for which there is also no divorce permitted.

[drbill]

You'll see, one day soon, the most popular message boards will be in English.

[Eddy]

How's our friend Chavez going to react to this?

[Texas Bill]

I don't lnow how this will be received by the DR as a whole,
But, I posted my commentary on Dominican Today as an "Opinion".
Why not address your comments there. Should make for interesting reading.
Needless to say, I'm for it, because of the reasons stated.

Texas Bill

[NALs]

Originally Posted by Eddy

How's our friend Chavez going to react to this?

The U.S. has a military presence of one type or another in a little over 170 countries worldwide.

The US military has been involved in the DR since the first invasion of 1916. Since that time, US military has been training Dominican military in various tactics, among them how to topple goverments. In fact, the American Military School in Panama is where many heads of Latin American militaries are trained.

Why would this most recent move be any surprise to anyone?

It will not change anything of the DR, because what the DR is today is in part due to the passive allowance from the part of US officials and military personnel.

The proof of this is how swiftly the US reacted to remove Bosch from power in the 1960s, but did nothing to remove either Trujillo (until he was of no use to them) or Balaguer and they are going to do nothing to the DR now because for all its problems, the DR is still a great place for multinationals to make nice profits.

But, I'm saying nothing new here, everybody knows this.

I support this move.

-NALs

[Mike S]

Of course all american replys are in favour of a presence in the DR. But reality tells those of us who are sick and tired of self serving American arrogance, that their bullyish attitudes are only making it more and more difficult for the rest of the world to travel freely about the globe. Why? Because there is such a hate for their intrusive self beneficial ways, that god forsaken terrorism will stop at nothing to attack any U.S. installation anywhere in the world. Therefore, those of us who enjoy quiet & peace loving cultures will no longer be able to enjoy travel to destinations such as the DR. Yes, the american arrogance will tell us not to bow to terrorism, yet they bring it with them where ever they "invade". It is unfortunate that the DR will soon become the next Bali or such, so long as the U.S. makes a presence. I love travelling here and have done so for many years, but it is only a matter of time before paradise is lost.
Please reconsider this unneccessary "invasion", I'm confident many of us travellers would be more than willing to pay a larger entry/exit fee to help the Dominican people with there border problems etc.
Canadian & proud of it.

[Texas Bill]

I was gonna wait for comments, but Nal's post brings up another approach to the subject.
This Base, no matter where itis placed, and I have a preference to the Manzanillo area for many reasons--no, I don't own property there.
To begin with, this project will, during its building and staffing, will create several thousand jobs in either of the depressed areas which come to mind. In addition, the annual payroll for indigenous civilian personnel will amount to a couple of million annually; plus what the troops spend during their off time.
Also, the petroleum products sold to the base will be an enormous quantity--those helicopters and hummers use a lot of gas and jet fuel, not to take away from the transits which will be plenty. Re-supply schedules have a way of getting frequent once a base is extablished. They call it "training".
On top of all that, the DR Military will benefit from the introduction of modern equipment and updated tactics in dealing with the druggies ind illegals constantly entering the country.
The down sideis that GI's do get rambunctuous when off duty andI can see where
there will be the occassional altercation between locals and the troops, especially where the girls are concerned. Mostly, the troops will behave themselves, but there are always those few who---- if you get my meaning.
I will state plainly that the USA has no eyes focussed on the DR in-so-far as incorporating it into Statehood or, like Puerto Rico, a Commonwealth so set your minds at ease over that factor and don't get carried away over events of the past.

Texas Bill

[Mike S]

Well with a name like Texas Bill, of course yur in favour of it. You have absolutely no qualms invading another country.