The Case for the Empire

Weekly Standard ^ | May 16, 2002 | Jonathan V. Last

[David1]

Wow, thanks for that link. That was so damn funny!!!!!!!!!!

[LibertarianInExile]

Yeah, but I can't get it to load right myself. : (

I can listen to it but I can't watch it in sync with Triumph. RATFART!

If you figure out how to save it, let me know. It is freakin' hilarious.

[LibertarianInExile]

ROFLMAO at the thought of Annan gasping for air in front of a stunned pack of turbans, robes, and dashikis.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Here's a link you two might want to take a look at dealing with Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords: http://magestrix.com/K2End/about.html

[Paul C. Jesup]

Here's a link you two might want to take a look at dealing with Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords: http://magestrix.com/K2End/about.html

[billbears]

It was this vision that realized a 'Great White Fleet' to seek out new life and new civilizations, and to bring the blessings of the American Way (the liberal Western political and cultural tradition) to those without.

Of course minus the fact that this was not the intent of the Framers. What sickens me is that those who would advocate such actions of 'helping other nations' will invoke the names of the Framers. The problem is that most that listen to these speeches don't realize, or more don't care, that those men would have been disgusted at such action

However, no one can seriously argue that oppression is intended when we try to help other countries out of their problems

What was that catchphrase about good intentions and the road to hell? Oppression may not be intended however real conservatives would question if it's any of our business if the nation in question does not represent a clear and present danger to the borders of this nation of states. Contrary to current administration belief, it is not the business of this nation of states to 'spread democracy', commit to 'regime change', or be in the business of 'nation building'

[js1138]

A lot of you guys are taking this way too seriously. The article was written largely as a send up.

The best sarcasm works both ways.

[js1138]

Compare this bit of wit to Noam Chomsky's humorless defense of the Orcs from LOTR.

[kimmie7]

I missed this interesting read the first time around. Thanks for posting it!

[hopespringseternal]

One of the things liberals don't understand is that giving government the power to utterly crush the thugs running corporations like pirate ships just encourages those same thugs to get government jobs and run bureaucracies like pirate ships.

This is even worse, because then they get guns with which to exercise their thuggery.

You can always thwart the little Napolean running your company by simply quitting your job or not buying his overpriced, underperforming products. Try telling the BATF to mind their own business.

[DarthVader]

"If Bolton gets shot down, appoint Vader as the UN Ambassador. That should straighten that pigsty out. ("Apology accepted, Mr. Annan")"

Appoint me UN Ambassador. I will threaten all the Muslim countries with annihilation and personally lead the attack forces. I will use the Force to crush all dissent. When it comes to al Zarqawi and Bin Laden "Leave them to me"

[libertarianben]

Read history.

[jackbob]

em-pire: A political unit having an extensive territory or comprising a number of territories or nations and ruled by a single supreme authority.

Let see, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Samoa, Puerto Rico, New York - I'd say we are an empire.

[rbg81]

If Bolton gets shot down, appoint Vader as the UN Ambassador. That should straighten that pigsty out. ("Apology accepted, Mr. Annan")

The confirmation hearing in Congress would also prove interesting (for the same reason).

[L98Fiero]

"Let see, Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Samoa, Puerto Rico, New York - I'd say we are an empire."

And you'd be wrong. With the exception of Puerto Rico, none of those palces are ours. By the way, did you know all Puerto Ricans have American citizenship? New York? Good Lord. Sounds like you have a case of wishful thinking.

[libertarianben]

Arizona, California, and the rest of the west. Won in the Mexican-American War that was only fought to win those territories.

[jackbob]

With the exception of Puerto Rico, none of those places are ours.

Oh? The current governments of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait we put in power with our military which still happens to conveniently occupy those countries. American Samoa most certainly is ours. And New York City we would be better off with out. I'd say that qualifies us as an empire.

[DarthVader]

"The confirmation hearing in Congress would also prove interesting (for the same reason)."

It should be watching Vader kill senators by the power of the Force that criticize or object to him. He would say "I find your lack of faith disturbing" See someone like Kennedy grab his throat and drop dead.

[rbg81]

And such a target rich environment it is!

[mrreaganaut]

What sickens me is when people mix up cause and effect to try to dodge their way out of losing an argument. Events are loosely called 'evil' when they cause harm, whether intentionally caused, accidentally caused, or by 'Act of God.' People are evil when they intend unjustified harm; The Empire of the movie and modern America are charged with intending harm, that is, being evil. Being incompetent, or paving the road to Hell, is beside the point. Read your St. Augustine!