[anniegetyourgun]

LOL!

[BenLurkin]

"America has never been an empire," Mr. Bush declared during his election campaign. "We may be the only great power in history that had the chance, and refused." Speaking on board the Abraham Lincoln, he echoed that: "Other nations in history have fought in foreign lands and remained to occupy and exploit. Americans, following a battle, want nothing more than to return home."

Days earlier, Donald Rumsfeld had been asked by al Jazeera if the U.S. was engaged in "empire-building in Iraq." "We don't seek empires," shot back Rumsfeld. "We're not imperialistic. We never have been."

[Navy Patriot]

American Empire? Not true, but if it were it would be better than any other noun in front of the word "empire" with the exception of the Good Lord.

[Migraine]

It isn't an empire when anyone in it can leave any time they want to. It's more like heaven.

[lepton]

In 2000, Mr. Bush talked as if he wanted to diminish America's military presence overseas. But Sept. 11 led to a 180-degree turn in his thinking.

Huh?

Military prescence wandering around aimlessly and striking capriciously (what President Bush was talking about then), is not the same as military prescence with a purpose (which he showed every sign of being willing to engage in), and the sharp-end pointed at an adversary.

[cake_crumb]

" 'America has never been an empire,' Mr. Bush declared during his election campaign. 'We may be the only great power in history that had the chance, and refused.' "

That is true. In any historically viable sense of the word 'empire' America is NOT one.

[Mark was here]

Technically, shouldn't the contiguous 48 be considered the "true" nation, and when we start crossing oceans and countries to get at Hawaii and Alaska, hasn't the line towards "Empire" been crossed?

[Congressman Billybob]

The human race has a long history of "empires" in all parts of the world. They have three essential qualities: 1) Military conquest, 2) Holding the conquered territory, and 3) extracting tribute -- originally in the form of slaves, more recently in the form of money or resources.

The US does not meet the latter two criteria. It does not hold the territory it conquers -- witness Japan, Germany, Italy, the Philippines, Cuba, etc. And, instead of extracting tribute, it provides aid to conquered nations -- witness the same nations and many more.

Only people who misuse the English language, out of folly or malice, use the word "empire" to describe the United States. We are, by circumstance, the leading power in the world. We are the principal "leader" of the world, far more often by example than by force. But we are not an "empire," not because we could not do that, but because we choose not to do that.

Therefore, on historical grounds I condemn the premise of this article.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, now up on UPI and FR, and due to be in the Asheville Citizen-Times on Sunday, "Surviving in the Smokies."

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

The United States of America is redefining what it means to be an empire.

Iraq will be the latest lesson for those that are slow to learn.

[Allan]

bump

[IronJack]

I don't know why Americans are so afraid of the word "empire." Whether we want to admit it or not, destiny has cast us in that role, and our own excellence has appointed us. All we need do now is show the world that our supremacy is not to be feared, but rather a dream devoutly to be wished.

We can feed the world, protect it, develop it, allow it to prosper, and ultimately, encourage it to advance to serve its own needs, all the while bringing a sense of fair play and Christian equity to the nations' commerce. Not simply in our own interest, but those of Humanity.

"Empire" may not define America, but America may yet redefine "empire."

[AlbionGirl]

The better State's burden. If in fact we are an American 'Empire', the whole meaning of empire has changed.

As long as subhuman nations, groups keep trying to get our attention be prepared to experience the new meaning of 'empire', and I say not good, but GREAT!!!

[habs4ever]

Why is when the word "empire" is used it is normally followed by the word" decline", or at least that thought seems to be the message conveyed? It's old, dumb and the lazy way out for lazy thinkers.

In 20+ yrs, America will generate over 45% of global GNP, hold 60% + of total global wealth and NO ONE(nation) will will generate even half that amount.Now, is that a bad thing, unless you are an implacable enemy of the US?

[gitmo]

Mr. Ferguson is the author of "Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power" (Basic Bks., 2003).

If this article is in any way indicative of the theme of Mr. Ferguson's book, it is of little to no value.