Pat Buchanan: U.S. Pays the High Price of Empire

Los Angeles Times ^ | 09/18/2001 | Patrick J. Buchanan

[Pokey78]

As the twin towers of the World Trade Center came down in flames, taking 5,000 Americans with them, an unserious era in U.S. history came to an end. "All is changed, changed utterly," wrote poet W.B. Yeats. President Bush has now received full authority to wage war against all who abetted the slaughter. It must be done. Our American family cannot permit the mass murder of our brothers and sisters to go unpunished. But as the president directs the moral outrage of his wounded nation, he will need the wisdom of Solomon.

[tonycavanagh]

re : Islamic Fundamentalism's hatred for the U.S. is linked to American intervention in Islamic homelands.

That is my view as well, and I am not a leftist communist, but I have taken part in anti Terrorist Operations, and take a keen interest in terrorist organisations, tactics , history and motivations.

But I am interested in what you think the main overriding motive is.

Tony

[AppyPappy]

You can't help but think the Patties are the modern-day equivalent of Jane Fonda i.e. working against America while claiming it is for our own good.

[american spirit]

You forgot to include: who are we to question gov't. whose rhetoric about terrorism is unceasing but still somehow doesn't have the will to protect our own borders, who are we to condemn the media that took every chance to demonize the patriotic/militia movement after OKC but now goes overtime in it's usual limp wristed fashion to make sure US Muslim groups are not treated in a similiar fashion. The hypocrisy and stupidity is sometimes just astounding.

[duckln]

Why should we support both equally? One is a Democracy, the other is not. One wants coexistence, the other, controlled by murderous fundamentalists, want no such thing, locally or worldwide.

[jeremiah]

Is it incumbent on us to help establish a Democracy in a country where 51% on the residents want it? How about 49%? In the Middle East, there may be only 25% of the citizenry that are educated well, and know the difference between governments.

I may be flamed for saying this but Pat is right, this is a internal struggle for us, not an external one. We must of course not let these evil deeds go unpunished, but to declare war against a foe that has no nation, no shore to land on, no one that can surrender, is not winnable by definition. We can only kill those we find, or indiscriminantly kill thousands or millions. That will only breed more hatred for us, and when we bore ourselves with this, and terrorist acts become rare, how do we sustain the will to fight?

Before we undertake this war we must first secure our homeland, our base. We can only do this by making sure there are few terrorist or traitors among us.

First we must secure our borders (Pats way with a fence), make sure the ships and planes coming in are free of danger and enemies, then evict all who are not citizens, ALL of them.

How can we fight a war without first evicting all possible terrorists, and jailing any traitors? We can't. The sight of our troops overseas, fighting battles, while the terrorists poison water, release biologicals, and blow up power lines at home, will be unique in American history. So it is at home the first battles must be fought.

One thing that bugs me about people with your opinions, how is Buchanan at once and war monger, and an isolationist. It seems he has been called both during his public career.

I write to you because your opinions are usually reasoned, so explain a policy that will 1) punish our enemies 2) reduce or get rid of the danger 3) not reduce our rights at home 4) not bring into effect a southern fence, or tighter restrictions on immigration [Pats main push I believe.]

[junta]

Why debate the Likud they are weak and dependent on GWB much more than he is of them. This tough talk is truth to the notion that bellicosity is a mask for weakness.

[NMC EXP]

We are not "empire building" in the Middle East. We have vital, national interests in that part of the world because we get most of our oil from there. We also have an interest in supporting democracy wherever it tries to establish itself.

First, we can get a hell of a lot more oil domestically. Second define our "interest in supporting democracy".....it's none of our damn business. You laud the term "democracy". Our founding fathers hated the term. Why would you not prefer to fight tyranny inside our borders, as opposed to spending American blood and treasure in global 911 calls?

If, for example, the Somalian's want a "democracy", let them fight for it on their own.....our ancestors did.

Regards

J.R.

[dead]

You can't help but think the Patties are the modern-day equivalent of Jane Fonda i.e. working against America while claiming it is for our own good.

Good analogy. The post I saw a couple of days ago, in which that idiot duckln spoke about how NYers deserved what they got for electing Hillary, was about as close to Jane straddling the gun as you can get.

[sneakypete]

>>People like Buchanan, Clinton, Kennedy, etc. take themselves too seriously. That is why they are dangerous.<<

Some are more dangerous than others. Bubbette! was on "The Toady Show"(correct spelling) AGAIN (this makes at LEAST 2 out of 3 mornings this has happened)this morning to tell the lies about frantically searching for Bubbette! Jr after the plane crashes that gets her so much political mileage. It ALMOST makes her look human. Thanks to Kute Kommie Katie,she only gets softball questions that let her give speeches about how "concerned Bill and myself were",and about how "I can't criticise Bush because my own 8 years of experience in the White House make me understand...",blah,blah,blah.

Bubbette! is in presidential campaign mode for 2004,and Kommie Katie and NBC News (?) is giving her free advertising time and helping her write her speeches. No matter what we have to say about Pat,no way is HE going to get this opportunity. This makes him less dangerous than Bubbette! by a order of several magnitudes.

[duckln]

Pat was the only one making sense on CNN! It's why he's so well known.

[Republican Wildcat]

We are resented for the strength of our economy, military, and the communications which allow U.S. culture to emerge elsewhere through our restaurants, movies, and television shows, as well as the U.S. being predominantly Christian rather than Muslim. To suggest our involvment in other parts of the world is solely a catalist for the hatred some of the militant factions of other cultures has is ridiculous.

[AppyPappy]

I suspect some posters are not really humans. They are a computer running a Random Idiocy Generator.

[Nuke'm Glowing]

Compared to the rest of the cast on CNN, that's like saying Bill Cohen was a great leader in the last administration compared to the rest of that crew. Total BARF alert on this thread. Pat is no longer a relevant part of our culture or national opinion. Thank God for that.

[NMC EXP]

the next time, they might retaliate with anthrax or nukes on America's own shores.

It's just a matter of time. We ain't seen nothing yet. Damn the globalists. I am tempted to say nuke the rest of the world, then shoot - em after dark, but the eviseration of our military has destroyed that option. Buchanan is right.....it is empire building. Doing that pisses people off. If they don't have cruise missles, a 757 will do.

Regards

J.R.

[Kayen]

I thought this country was built with immigration. I thought one of the things that makes this country the greatest was we are a "melting pot" of people... Closing the boarders is not the answer as that dumba** Pat thinks. Perhaps spending alittle more money where it is needed and less spending on stupid sh*t may allow us to identify the problem people.

[tonycavanagh]

re : To suggest our involvment in other parts of the world is solely a catalist for the hatred some of the militant factions of other cultures has is ridiculous.

Is it, I have read on this very site threads about the dangers of the UN, many people want America out of the UN and the UN out of the US.

Too many people abroad America is seen as a NWO, with out American Military Muscle and Support, Osama Bin Laden and others of his ilk will have more of a opportunity to create the Islamic Super State they so wish.

The fact that instead the whole of the Middle East will descend into chaos is neither here or there.

Tony

[Dick Bachert]

Nephi,

I was responding to your post #21. If it was MEANT to be sarcasm, I apologize. (A sarcasm alert would have been helpful).

Having read ALL your posts, I see that it WAS meant to be sarcasm.

Sorry.

And I hereby redirect that post (#58) to those prone to the mindless jingoism of which I unfairly accused you.

[jeremiah]

We have a fine mess to sort through My solution would be a tier of rights. A citizen in good standing, one without a felony conviction, would be protected by the Bill of Rights. A farm worker from say Guadalajara would have fewer, as would any students from other countries, and visitors/tourists. Why should Americans lose rights, when we could easily profile these terrorists and tap their phones at will, make them wear easily identifiable tags, and in general make them earn the rights our ancestors fought and died for. They should not be allowed to travel from county to county, or state to state without being tracked. In this way, we could identify the enemy within, and still keep the country free for citizens. The way to earn these rights would be to serve honorably in the armed forces, or becoming an English speaking, writing, voting citizen.

[christine]

WHY, WHY, WHY ISN'T THE NEWS MEDIA REPORTING ON THE TERRORIST THAT CLINTON RELEASED?

you are asking that rhetorically, correct? :)

[duckln]

BAHAHAHAHA!!! Was that before he sold out his abortion stance to get some Reform party money

Have you read the Reform platform lately? Abortion is number one! So you're wrong! Do you want a serious discussion or not?

We are in battle for our way of life, and you spout irrevelent venomous nonsense .