[A. Pole]

I do find it odd that you now suggest that neos are mere flotsam twigs in a rapidly flowing stream, rather than the Machiavellian Svengali behind the curtain. Which is it?

I would like to know myself. Could imperial overreach be stopped? Do we have examples from the past when the great power exercised a voluntary self-restraint? Maybe China?

It would require a great strength of will, wisdom and humility. And a lot of luck.

[Torie]

Maybe you should spend some time documenting as to why America cannot at this point handle its assumed responsibilities? I think you are just wishing it were so, because you don't like what America is trying to accomplish on this planet, which is to put down tyrants whenever they pose a serious threat to both America and the planet, including where politically possible on humanitarian grounds. If this mission is not right and noble, I don't know what is. America is a very special place, because more than any other land, it feels the pain of the oppressed other, and is willing to act on that pain. No people are an island. We are one. That is an a priori belief of mine. I make no apologies for that.