[Gunslingr3]

..."empire?" We Americans loyal to the USA are not fond of "empire." Empire is for rearward-gazing Europeans and Euro-identity Americans.

You're not very familiar with American history.

And we keep military forces overseas in order to stop attacks from coming to us on our own soil (and while we're at it, to defend allies). Every conservative American knows that.

I don't know what you mean by a 'conservative American', but I know what an empire is. When you have over quarter million men under arms propping up 'friendly' governments around the world you're running an empire. Don't be squeamish about it. Playing kingmaker over the lines drawn by the last gasps of the French and British empires in the Middle East has us embroiled in a war today.

You can make the argument that we should have an empire instead of a neutral, free republic, but don't pretend it's what our Founders set out to create. Not on this day.

[familyop]

You're confusing the intentions of Republican Americans with those of centralized governments of old Europe. Take your anti-defense, anti-American propaganda elsewhere.

[familyop]

"...but I know what an empire is. When you have over quarter million men under arms propping up 'friendly' governments around the world you're running an empire. Don't be squeamish about it. Playing kingmaker over the lines drawn by the last gasps of the French and British empires in the Middle East has us embroiled in a war today."

That's an anti-American statement that we see most often from sites like DU and Euro-sites. Our US leaders do not rule or try to permanently keep other nations as Britain and France did. The leaders of nations that we defend or temporarily occupy in defense are not made kings by our leaders. You are arguing against the defense of our nation.

See the following:

Statement by the founder of Free Republic:
"In our continuing fight for freedom, for America and our constitution and against totalitarianism, socialism, tyranny, terrorism, etc., Free Republic stands firmly on the side of right, i.e., the conservative side. Believing that the best defense is a strong offense, we (myself and those whom I'm trying to attract to FR) support the strategy of taking the fight to the enemy as opposed to allowing the enemy the luxury of conducting their attacks on us at home on their terms and on their schedule... continued here."

[FreedomPoster]

>>When you have over quarter million men under arms propping up 'friendly' governments around the world you're running an empire.

You mean like Germany and the UK? Two countries in which we have a considerable military presence, for starters.