What I said earlier is that I think Americans are slowly becoming more and more aware of what we are doing in the world. I agree the majority of Americans still support candidates who will continue the status quo of relating with the rest of the world. But all I'm saying is that more people are becoming aware and not liking it as they see the results.

Oh, I sure don't want to believe that. I really want to believe that most Americans would be aghast if they knew what was happening, and would stand up against it. I do think more Americans are becoming aware, but the propaganda has been so ingrained that it is hard to overcome. And it is a little traumatic to realize that what you believed all your life is not exactly true. So it takes people a while to get it.

That's the big question. Supposedly, the intent of our interventionist policies is exactly that. But somehow we've managed to alienate much of the world in the process.

Having said that, I must say that I am frequently saddened by the number of Americans who think the strongman, double standard is just fine. I find that to be extremely shallow and short-sighted.

As you go back into American history, who are some of your heroes or heroines and favorite presidents? Who is your favorite American writer or thinker?

Shane, the entire pentagon strategies of today are based on "would have" scenarios. Are we to become a "minority report" type of preventive society and jailing people based on what they would have done?

Don't you see anything wrong with that? I hear much of Machiaveli's "prince", or Hobbes' "Leviathan" rhetoric in these ideas. Basically the idea that the "higher" moral good overshadows the "lower" one, and the lower one can be sacrificed at the altar of the "highest good". What about some basic moral standards?
Basically, the idea that American way is the best way, and we are doing a favor to everyone else by making them more American. It's neo-Emperialism. That's why USA is broke today, because it is overextended militarily.
The congress just approved a budget of a Trillion dollars for military. Don't they know how much money it is? Either they are trying to prepare for alien invasion, or they are trying to preserve superiority by means of military presence... because it's quite obvious that economy will no longer do.

I see a lot wrong with intervention policies. Like I already stated, I would love to see all our troops come home. We could use that same money for health care and do a lot more good.

QR frame:

Russia, with allies, will invade America, sooner than later. Boots on ground.

We will be as a bird, which peepeth from the dust of the earth.

rotsa ruck, guys :-o

Re: spending less on military: yeah, costs are skyrocketing and we're gonna cut our military.

I can see it now, come war, Americans waving their healthcare cards at the enemy, "bang, bang, you're dead."

Well, I guess that's not all that much of a stretch - given the seeming importance our citizenry currently ascribe to empty words... (Yikes! --Pogo)

Military connotes War. War is killing and breaking things... you can't do that with a healthcare card.

Re: we will never be able to make everybody in the world like us. We are insane and masochistic to submerge our own interests to that of others. We are obligated only to do the best we are able.

Per example: as I've stated before, we could not have done more for Saudi Arabia; yet, they have, generationally trained, funded, and sustained those who willingly die - consumed with the desire to destroy us. For those in Rio Linda, that's called 'exporting terror'. Ditto, but to a

lesser or more rational extent, even Europe - whose fundament we've pulled out the fire on more than one occassion - and continuing for the last 60 years ensuring/guaranteeing their safety from aggression (that they might have the monie$ to rebuild their own infrastructure and fund their own social programs). Tchah!

Have any of y'all been to Canada and had to listen to what they think of America? Yet we sustain 70% of their economy.

The wisest man alive sez, "CYOA."

What the blep-blep are we talking about?

Does America, net, prevent more wars than it starts? It's an imponderable, because prevented wars by definition don't start. Has America, since the Second World War, generally been a force for good in the world? Hard to judge: would Pol Pot have happened without America's involvement in the region? Would the massacres in Indonesia? It's hard to say.

What is not so hard to say is that America used to be a beacon for peace and hope and freedom in the world to many of us - it absolutely was that when I was growing up. There's still some of that, but Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib and rendition and a number of other things have definitely eroded that. The claim has always been to a certain amount of moral superiority - American aggression was better than other aggression because it was carried out for the common good and with a moral code. That is what has been lost. Maybe American aggression was always just aggression, but it has been particularly naked during the first decade of the new century.

(Leaving aside what I hope is a certain amount of jest from jasd when he suggests there is no relevant standard for America but brutish and unenlightened self-interest.)

>>Does America, net, prevent more wars than it starts?<<

That information is probably within the purview of ‘Intelligence’ – State secrets, et al.

>>It's an imponderable, because prevented wars by definition don't start. Has America, since the Second World War, generally been a force for good in the world?<<

Mais oui, but of course. Even should the factors weigh unevenly, America has done more good than any other.

>>Hard to judge: would Pol Pot have happened without America's involvement in the region? Would the massacres in Indonesia? It's hard to say.<<

C’mon, Bravus, you might as well ask me if the moon is made of cheese; or if beings ever had habitation on the moon. The latter: yes.

>>What is not so hard to say is that America used to be a beacon for peace and hope and freedom in the world to many of us - it absolutely was that when I was growing up.<<

It does not matter what nation excels – there will be others who will cultivate a dislike for that nation – envy rules.

What amazes me is the flagellation I encounter amongst Americans. Oh my, we’re so evil! Ah gee, our space shots use so much energy! Waaa, I sees a pitcher of a porpuss that cried – an it waz us, did it! :-o

>>There's still some of that, but Guantanamo<<

Most were captured while directly involved in action against our forces – like, shooting at our boys and girls on the battlefield. Actually, kudos are due America for the provision of Gitmo as residence for enemy detainees. It’s kinda like Mandela – who was caught red-handed with thousands of ordinances; yet, he lived to head So Africa. Anywhere else, he would have been summarily executed. Same’s Gitmo.

>>and Abu Ghraib<<

I guess it’s my turn to say, “Oh my! the guy had his photo taken with undies on his head!"

>>and rendition<<

Happened under Reagan. That’s decades ago – and it authorizes the search, pursuit, and capture of anyone who has killed an American citizen anywhere in the world – that that perp may be made to stand trial here in the USofA. Not a bad policy. Israel’s been doing that as long as I’ve lived and no one complains. Complaints are reserved for America. [/gobsmacked!]

>>and a number of other things have definitely eroded that.<<

The incessant litany. I say to the rest of the globe, “Why are you always asking us to pull your chestnuts out of the fire, if you dislike us so...?”

>>The claim has always been to a certain amount of moral superiority - American aggression was better than other aggression because it was carried out for the common good and with a moral code.<<

Not always the epitome of genteelness; however, when they call – we’s there – and we pay the price. No whinin’, mewlin’, or otherwise whizzing our pants... God Bless America

>>That is what has been lost.<<

That certain Freudian envy. You can’t fight that. Even the V-pill won’t help.

>>Maybe American aggression was always just aggression, but it has been particularly naked during the first decade of the new century.<<

Hey, I’m not that indisposed to a certain bit of Imperialism. Check India. They still have the British hospitals, the same rails, the same strung wire lines, the same architecture, the same governing system, the same... India benefited and still does. Likewise, with American 'Imperialism'. Most of the modernization of the Far East is due to our own sacrifice and generosity.

>>(Leaving aside what I hope is a certain amount of jest from jasd when he suggests there is no relevant standard for America but brutish and unenlightened self-interest.)<<

When I need help I want the 800 pound gorilla, juiced and mean on my side. That used to be us. Sadly, for the rest of the civilized world that is coming to an end.

Every job I ever had was provided by the enlightened self-interest of this or that person, company, or corporation.

Do you think Australia is going to do more for the indogenes - other than holding a "Sorry" day? y'know like giving them back their continent?

Would I be unwise to hold my breath?