You're bandying about quotes from Wilson without even thinking about the historical context. In Wilson's day, as the phenomenon of terrorism was unknown in America, despotism abroad, for the most part, was not a problem in Main Street USA. Now despotic rulers, despotic ideas are a proven, direct threat to the USA. Ask the victims of September 11th, if you don't believe me.
President Bush understands this. It's just a pity that there are still a gaggle of idiots who refuse to understand.
Ivan
The direct threat came not from a despot but from a passionate, religious ideologue with no office. The enemy is extreme, nationalistic Islam (you do understand that they define "national" as the whole world, do you not?).
So why doesn't GWB speak plainly and cease this nonsensical (and insufferable) preaching to friend an foe alike of freedom, democracy, etc.?
Why must we assume the role of the "other side of the Muslim coin", i.e., remaking the the whole world in our image?