[Amalie]

Is this what has come to - neglect the internal decay of our own nation to fight wars outside of it? If that is the neocon way, count me out. My kids are growing up here, not there. Seriously, in your opinion, is this why Cheney took the stance on gay marriage that he did - because the culture wars here are not winnable?

[Belisaurius]

neglect the internal decay of our own nation to fight wars outside of it?

It's not unnatural to feel that way, but there's no a friendly Great Britain and an overpowering Royal Navy out there making it possible for us stay in bed naval-gazing. If we don't keep the vacuum filled, someone else will do it, perhaps real chicoms in communist suits, instead of the "communists in conservative suits" we have know.