Although inspired by a 15 second conversation with a relative, the "feminist" is a construct. My friend calls her a "straw man"

This is an opinion piece on statements that can't be proven. The freedom of women, opinions about the U.S., etc.

I meant it to be thought provoking, to point out that for all the ills of a super power, like nuclear weapons, which I'm certainly with you on, there are other benefits that may be difficult to achieve without an exercise of that power.

I pose a question and try to provoke thought.

I am not the provocateur in this piece. I don't believe I know the answer.

Anyway, although there are certainly many Germans, Japanese and NATO countries that don't want U.S. nuclear missiles in their neighborhood,as you said, the world didn't start on September 11th. Those bases got there because of Germany, Japan and most countries now in NATA. Countries that fought not one stupid war, but two!

Idealistically, I agree with you. Nuclear weapons are scary as shit to me, not because they're in Europe, but because, well, too much complacency.

The U.S. is not provoking a war between NATA and China. In that area, I believe most Germans are angrier at China than the U.S. Tremendous amounts of Germany IP have been "borrowed". And Japan? China makes dozens of anti-Japan movies to this day. They are centuries old enemies. If the U.S. left Japan and let it drop its "defense only" posture there would be no buffer between China and Japan. They would both engage in a huge arms race (or Japan would increase their part for sure). Things aren't as simple as they look.

Thanks for the comment!