[ex-snook]

Does 'Empire' of its nature pursue military solutions? The first half of the last century was spent warring in Europe. The second half was in warring in Orient. This century we are off and running in the Near East. All of these have been 'to make the world safe for democracy'.

It is akin the age of exploring countries to spread Chrisianity [and acquire wealth and control trade on the side]. Our effort seems to be to make sure that no other country becomes 'the Empire'. This will be successful for us as long as 'the war' is on the battlefield of armies.

'The war' today is one where the future will go to ideas. The past non-military growth of Christianity comes to mind. Also the triumph of marketing over communism. I believe Bush has mis-framed the future with 'people want freedom'. I believe it will be framed into 'people want justice'. And that should be the driving force of our 'Empire' - the unugly American.

[Robert Teesdale]

Interesting article, and not necessarily incorrect. However, what's entirely missing is the fact that America is inherently a fundamentally and globally revolutionary ideology.

Yes, I said ideology and not nation.

Trotsky had nothing on the Declaration.