[DugwayDuke]

You speculations on alternative histories are merely that, speculation. One can build all sorts of theortical possibilities since one does not have to be constrained in any practical sense.

"Do you mean the British Empire that introduced the international trade in opium, pushed us into WWI, abandoned its colonies in the Indian subcontinent and Africa to anarchy? The reference to civilian concentration camps was not gratuitous, it was practiced during the Boer War."

I was well aware of the concentration camps during the Boer War. I'm not historically illiterate. Focusing on a few reprehensible outcomes does not establish that the world would have been a better place without the British Empire or it's dissolution made this world better. Even you admit that it's removal from India and Africa produced unfortunate outcomes.

"Gratuitousness is epitomized by your continual references to Clinton. Clinton, was and is, an ass. As indicated by my reference to glass, I did not have his half and quarter measures in mind."

I was not referring to Clinton, per se, but to the idea that airpower or cruise missiles has evolved to the point that it can replace boots on the ground. After every war, we find that it has not. But, what did you have in mind, nuclear weapons?

"As far as service is concerned, I put in my eight years of obligation that ended with nine months in France in '61-'62."

Then my apologies. I made the same error you did. You beat me to active duty by about eight years. I did spend eight years active and another 14 in the Guard.

[rightofrush]

A blanket dismissal of my points of contention with those that are appologists of Brittish attrocities (being of Irish and Scottish descent, they remain evergreen), FDR, Stalin, and Mao does your creditability ill.

I was not referring to Clinton, per se, but to the idea that airpower or cruise missiles has evolved to the point that it can replace boots on the ground. After every war, we find that it has not. But, what did you have in mind, nuclear weapons?

We got 'em, let's use 'em. To quote a proponent of the Inquisition, "God will know His own".