Imperial Rome lives in the U.S.

the star NOT THAT STAR ^ | dec 9th | Richard Gwyn

[classygreeneyedblonde]

i THINK HE'S GOT IT RIGHT

[denydenydeny]

Unleash hell.

[onedoug]

"The major difference is that Omar actually killed Americans, or helped to do so by sheltering Osama bin Laden, who in turn played some key part in the events of Sept. 11. By contrast, Saddam Hussein merely threatened Americans' supply of cheap oil by invading Kuwait"

What about the SCUD that slammed into one of our barracks in NE Saudi during the Gulf War, killing numerous Americans while they slept? Let alone that Saddam is the same basic animal as Al Qaeda, PFLP, Hamas, Hizbollah, Abu Sayeff, the bombers of the USS Cole....

Uh...pick your poison.

Jeez, just take him out preemptively. Then ask, "Who's next?"

[Hank Kerchief]

...and we know what happened to Rome.

Hank

[Justin Raimondo]

They gave up their Repubilc -- and we CAN do better, bud.

[Mr. Thorne]

I do love to point out that, historically, empire is the most stable form of government. It breeds diversity among its member-states, and basically expands until it runs into something that can stop it.

[Mr. Thorne]

Anybody see MAD TV this weekend? GW and WWF wrestler Triple H (who I do not know from Adam, but he IS a large chap), decide to parachute into Afghanistan and kick a little Taliban a**.

On the way back, GW asks HHH something like "that was fun, what are we gonna do next?"

HHH responds, "say, remember that fella with a mustache, that your daddy couldn't take care of ten years back? What was his name?"

Turn the plane around, pilot!

[Eternal_Bear]

Republic Yes! Empire No!

[The KG9 Kid]

I must admit it... This article sexually aroused me.

Time to spam my Outlook Contact list with this missive.

Well done. Great find.

[RightWhale]

Today's young Bush is a homebody who knows little and cares less about the wide world and its complexities.

I read a little past this line after noting the gratuitous slap at the president. America isn't Rome. It might be "like" some old civilization, like when you take a course in psychology you detect symptoms of each mental disease in yourself or others chapter by chapter. Medieval Florence was a great place for a while, but the Medicis had a limited run. Even Spain had almost 100 years of importance, but that wasn't Rome, either. Even Rome wasn't Rome all the time. Make comparisons, but don't say America is Rome and that because Rome fell, America must also.

[Romulus]

Interesting fact that Roman law's substantial expansion of the definition of treason and the penalties therefor (especially introducing capital punishment for political disloyalty) coincided neatly with the advent of the Principate.

[Eternal_Bear]

Why are we immune from the consequences of historical processes?

[Black Cat]

Read the bible for an alternative view of Rome... No way do I want this country to go THAT route...

[Abn1508]

Well, heck, we've already had our Claudius.

[Cool Guy]

I do love to point out that, historically, empire is the most stable form of government.

Have you read the Foundation Series, by Issac Asimov? It also makes this point. Especially the "Forward the Foundation" book in the series.

In my opinion, an empire is good, if you are the person in power. Consitutional Republic in the representaitve form, gives us the best of both Democracy and Empire, while ironing out the cons of both.

[Loopy]

You oughtaa quit crying over spilt milk. The Republic's dead, get used to it.

[x]

I do love to point out that, historically, empire is the most stable form of government. It breeds diversity among its member-states, and basically expands until it runs into something that can stop it.

Your three propositions have little to do with each other. A system that breeds diversity is likely to be unstable, as is one that is continually expanding. And watch out when empires run into "something that can stop" them. The smash-up can be devastating.

[RightWhale]

Why are we immune from the consequences of historical processes?

Because we read history, we might not be condemned to repeat. Sooner or later, everything moves on, so we will probably find a new way.

Presented for consideration: Rome did not collapse, they simply moved their corporate HQ and changed their business plan.

[Loopy]

Lot to be said for that. In many ways we still live under Roman influence today.