Should we boot the American military and it's snoopers at Menwith Hill out of the UK?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Menwith_Hill

Answer 1

Who do you suggest we get to look after our air space.
The Brits won't. (too expensive)
The Russians. (there the ones flying over our air space)
The Greens. (sandal wearing pot smoking hippies who don't even know what year it is)
Vegetarians. (they're even worse)
Robert Mugabe.
You choose.

Answer 2

Not on your life. Are yo completely nuts?

The Yanks and the Brits have been working hand in glove together since WW2 on intelligence gathering of the type which goes on at Menwith Hill and elsewhere in UK and Germany and etc.

All of this intelligence is sent to GCHQ where it is sorted etc and also CIA Langley get it too.

How else are we to know what our enemies are up to if we do not tape their transmissions?

The vast mass of intelligence data is gathered from radio intercept and your mobile phone calls and your e-mails and all of this on here too, probably.

Answer 3

No,

RAF Menwith Hill is a UK base and is jointly run by the US and UK. The base is one of many around the world thats part of the UKUSA alliance and is also used by NATO.

This allows the UK and our allies in UKUSA to maintain the biggest and best surveillance system in the world (ECHELON).

The other members (secondary) are;
Canada
Australia
New Zealand

So don't knock it, it's a cornerstone of our security and defence needs.

Answer 4

Wow. I am surprised to hear this question posed by an intelligent individual, and in an intelligent manner. What I mean is: Usually, I would assume that the remarks would be in the nature of simple xenophobia against the US and it's citizens. Haha. You asked the question in probably the only sensible way that it can be asked, "amicably". I am happy to give my answer to this question, and I tip my hat to you.

Okay, first of all, I am a Political Scientist from the US. I have served in the USMC as an Signals Intelligence Officer, so I'm sure you know that I respect the seriousness of this topic.....

Okay, first of all....the operations being conducted there are JOINT US/UK operations. That means we are working together towards a goal being pushed forward by BOTH governments. Now before you tear me down, I will recognize the FACT, I said FACT, that a nation's gvoernment does NOT represent the will of the people. That would be a Democracy. The US does not and never has had a Democracy. We have a Federal Republic here in the US. This government was NOT elected by the people...it was elected through the Electoral Voting process.

That being said, I completely understand your concerns as UK citizens in having US personnel working under the motives of the Bush administration on your soil. Though the US prescence is nescessary for Israel, the EU, and the UK to benefit from EHCELON, given the location of certain intelligence assets/facilities in the sattes. ECHELON is nothing new, and it is only now being brought to light again, as of late.

Luckily, by shredding the Constitution with the "PATRIOT Act 1 & 2 and the Homeland Security Act", the Republican Party has pretty much eliminated their chances at re-election in next year's elections. With all the ill-will that this administration has created worldwide, and the bad name that it has given ordinary citizens like myself, it will be some time before the US Military will be welcome ANYWHERE, save for Israeli soil. Please keep in mind that UK personnel work in the states as well, right allong side individuals like me. You don't hear me saying that we should boot them, because they are simply working for their government, not the people of the UK.

With what has been done in the name of "Security" in many western societies would certainly make me tend to agree with you that foreign intelligence personnel should be expelled immediately, from both our nations. But as our government changes in the next couple years, as I guarantee you, this type of fiasco CANNOT occur again in the US for the next 8 years or so, the closeness of our nations as common allies will be more important than ever, as times become very hard for the peoples of the Middle East. The US has done great harm there, and I am only amazed that British troops stayed as long as you did. Why should you sacrifice your countymen for our government's mistake, you know?

I work for Raytheon, and occasionally, for IMI. I can't tell you what's coming, but it's not what anyone is being told. ECHELON is nescessary for both out nations, and it would take a brief novella to explain why. Ask yourself why we (the US) "accidentally misplaced" five AGM-129 (W-80-1) missiles, which were later "found" at Barksdale. Those weapons are not accidentally moved anywhere. Barksdale AFB is a staging area for the Middle East...

But either way, don't listen to the poster above me who said Russia has the ability or the desire to invade the UK. Why would they try to invade the UK? That would be suicide for Russia, as you are a NATO member. They don't have the ability to fight a conventional war with the UK, US, and the rest of NATO. Hahaha. That is laughable. So is the remark about the threat from Radical Islam. That's nothing but hate-mongering.

I understand how you feel about Menwith Hill, especially when the probably decent Americans are there working for a criminal administration back here in the US. But don't worry, it won't be long now, HE can't seek re-election again. Ever again. Hahaha.

Edit--- Yea, I see what you mean about the WWII comments. It sad when my fellow countrymen talk about the Lend-Lease Act as if you owe us something. You don't, of course. You are only separated from us by the Atlantic Ocean. You are our brothers, you know? Our nation was made very wealthy in that war, of course, much of that was due to the retooling of industry. Hey....to all of those Americans trying to answer without an understanding of History or International Politics, don't bother. Sheeesh!

Answer 5

No, Intelligence is the only area where there is a true US-UK "special relationship" we share intelligence with the US, and they with us. They also allow us to use their vastly superior resources.

Answer 6

No, and this is funny stuff.

Go ahead and boot us. But, please don't come crying on our doorstep when Russia marches right over you in a couple of years, or the Islamic cult you so openly welcome into your country turns you over to Sharia law.

Sheesh, some of you forget history so easily. If it weren't for us, you'd all be speaking German right now. It's very hypocritical that you would defame us when you think you don't need us. I hope that you never do.

Answer 7

If we left your little island, you would be wide open to aggression from every other nation. But that's not my problem.

On the question of WWII: you are very welcome, we did not think you should be taken over by NAZI Germany. And you still owe us for the equipment.

On the question of the Internet: We developed it, you are welcome for that also.

When we leave your little island, you will left with a large gap in your revenue.

Think before you open your face to make little noises. Think before you connect to our Internet. Just think.

Answer 8

England expects every man to do his duty.

Answer 9

I'd say enjoy Londonstan but my family lives nearby.

Answer 10

yes YES as soon as yesterday. they are as intrusive into our lives as they are those they call possible enemies.

they listen to all our phone calls and watch our Internet. its bad enough our government does, so why do we let the USA do it as well.

they listen to all world wide communications from Washington at the CIA HQ. so why don't they leave and do that from there instead of our back yard

the American govt are the most Paranoid country in the world. they call it national security. funny so does North Korea but the USA calls them paranoid.

.Huuumm very interesting