[lugsoul]

Wow. I guess that old phrase, "the world's policeman" - as in "we can't be the world's policeman" - is now, um, what would be the word? Quaint?

[atlaw]

Didn't take long, did it? Hang on to your wallet.

[Heldentat]

Yes, it's quaint. The basic problem is one of morale. After 9-11 the US has the resolve to do what its destiny demands that it do what it should have done many years ago.

Machiavelli understood the basic nature of states - they must expand, whether it be physically or in some other measurable way, or they will perish. We must cease being squeamish when contemplating this political constant.

[meema]

..."we can't be the world's policeman"...Quaint?

ROTFLMAO! Very well put!