'Empire'

[haaaylee]

does anyone actually think we're going to get the vote of a neocon? why the fuck would we pander to neocons!

 

[Rebel Resource]

Neocons dont like the word empire, because all empires fall.

Every empire they have ever heard of is history.

Empires are also associated with overstretch and ruin, which is exactly why Ron Paul is using the word. It is a psychological frame.

Don't worry, he and his staff are extremely smart

 

[zackmario]

Empire is exactly the plan

Watch this video to see who More Wars McCain really is

http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/John_McCain_Next_President_of_the_USA_2

Digg if you like it - the more people that see it the better.

 

[acptulsa]

does anyone actually think we're going to get the vote of a neocon? why the f*** would we pander to neocons!

Good point. If the word turns off old-line Republicans, however, he and we should find another way to say it--at least until after the convention.

It is time for the G.O.P. to wake up to the fact that they have to choose between this war and winning the election. The neocons are happy enough with Hillary, but the old-line Republicans are not. Time to point this out and exploit it.

 

[pinkmandy]

Neocons dont like the word empire, because all empires fall.

Every empire they have ever heard of is history.

Empires are also associated with overstretch and ruin, which is exactly why Ron Paul is using the word. It is a psychological frame.

Don't worry, he and his staff are extremely smart

Yeah, that!

 

[weslinder]

I've thought Dr. Paul should change his wording since he started. I think "Policing the World" or "Defending the World" would not only have less reactionary reponse, it would also be more accurate. I don't even think Dr. Paul really wants us to "abandon our empire". We're not going to quit defending Guam or the Northern Mariana Islands, and those are true territories of the United States Empire. We do need to quit trying to spread military influence and propping up economies of other nations by providing their defense for them.

 

[Sweman]

Well, it's an empire for a new century, isn't it? A "kinder, gentler" empire perhaps? No viceroys, no US flag blatantly flying over foreign capitals. And yet, there we are. Sometimes it reminds me more of a mafia protection racket. We garrison thousands of our troops in foreign countries under the auspices of "maintaining the peace" (I'm sure we could spend hours deconstructing what that really means). And we get ... something ... in return, but what?

Actually I think you are getting a buffer zone. It keeps Russia and China from gaining influence. But the thing is I think it can be done without weapons. It can be done with american popular culture and by leading the free world by example.

 

[Staupostek]

It can be done with american popular culture and by leading the free world by example.

I think the biggest problem with Americans today is that they want to take the easy way out and force their ways on others. Lead by example, be it in religion, economics, or politics is just too hard and takes too much time. It's easier to just force it by military or legal force. Although, if you look at history, the lead by example model is much more successful in the long run.

 

[jonahtrainer]

Yes it is an "empire" but maybe there is a better word that will appeal to the neocons.

How about we find a good four letter one?

 

[Sweman]

I think the biggest problem with Americans today is that they want to take the easy way out and force their ways on others. Lead by example, be it in religion, economics, or politics is just too hard and takes too much time. It's easier to just force it by military or legal force. Although, if you look at history, the lead by example model is much more successful in the long run.

I see your point, but you would be surprised about how many europeans that have a love/hate relationship with the US. Your country is present in everyones everyday life, I would say. Just remove some of their reasons to dislike, and your influence over the western world will be very solid.

 

[Todd]

Except no front runner Democrat would dare use this term. And it's still debatable by what standards we can be labeled empire...
Certianly not in the classical sense.

 

[Staupostek]

I see your point, but you would be surprised about how many europeans that have a love/hate relationship with the US. Your country is present in everyones everyday life, I would say. Just remove some of their reasons to dislike, and your influence over the western world will be very solid.

Unfortunately, when a country opens up to western ideas, the worst of the west (greed, porn, junk food, etc.) usually floods into the country before the best can even get a foothold.

 

[fuzzybekool]

It IS an empire. It is Dr. Paul calling a spade a spade that draws his supporters. If he wasn't honest and didn't do that there would be NO revolution and he wouldn't be running. If the neocons don't like it being called a empire, well, too bad. We ARE going to change things in this country. WE are awake.

I think I would have to agree here, even though the sheeple will look around and say, "huh?".

 

[gjdavis60]

Actually I think you are getting a buffer zone. It keeps Russia and China from gaining influence. But the thing is I think it can be done without weapons. It can be done with american popular culture and by leading the free world by example.

I wonder if a military buffer zone is not somewhat of an antiquated, cold war term. And our involvement is more than weapons. It is, essentially, occupation. Our troops and our weapons are on foreign soil carrying out the will of the US government.

Do we pay our "hosts" for the privilege of basing our forces on their lands? Do they pay us for the protection we provide? How much influence does the US government have in countries where our troops are based? What other interests are directly or indirectly served by these relationships? Is there a money trail to be followed? I do not have the answers, but I am certain it is not as straightforward as it might seem.

I don't want to believe that US taxpayers are footing the bill to keep troops in foreign countries so that special interests are served, but why should this be different from anything else the government does?

 

[Todd]

Unfortunately, when a country opens up to western ideas, the worst of the west (greed, porn, junk food, etc.) usually floods into the country before the best can even get a foothold.

Interestinlgy enough. In 03' when I was mobilized for the war we went to several briefings by an Israeli professor on culture of the mid east. I can vouch for what you say. There are some very pristine parts of Middle eastern society that shun "Westen ideals" because they see it as a threat. A female soldier in a T-shirt and BDU pants is looked at as disrespecting herself and seeming "loose". OK...that may seem really backward to some of us here, but they live there lives closer to how it was 1000 years ago then we ever really try to understand. They realize that embracing the West means you get all our garbage too.

 

[moostraks]

em·pire (ěm'pīr') Pronunciation Key
n.
American Heritage Dictionary:
1.A political unit having an extensive territory or comprising a number of territories or nations and ruled by a single supreme authority.
The territory included in such a unit.
2.An extensive enterprise under a unified authority: a publishing empire.
3.Imperial or imperialistic sovereignty, domination, or control: "There is a growing sense that the course of empire is shifting toward the . . . Asians" (James Traub)

Seems accurate. I think it is pandering to have to coach words so they are not offensive to the delicate senses of others. The English language is a wonderful thing and I always appreciate when someone choses their words correctly to accurately describe the fullest embodiment of their vision of a situation. Then I know exactly where they stand on a subject. Try reading 1984 (again if its been awhile). The pc language we are being forced to embrace is what is causing the stupidity of the average American. It is an empire, if someone does not like that term then they will not be a dedicated follower of the message.(Ya ain't gonna git em to vote fer him!!!)

 

[moostraks]

Interestinlgy enough. In 03' when I was mobilized for the war we went to several briefings by an Israeli professor on culture of the mid east. I can vouch for what you say. There are some very pristine parts of Middle eastern society that shun "Westen ideals" because they see it as a threat. A female soldier in a T-shirt and BDU pants is looked at as disrespecting herself and seeming "loose". OK...that may seem really backward to some of us here, but they live there lives closer to how it was 1000 years ago then we ever really try to understand. They realize that embracing the West means you get all our garbage too.

LOL!!! Did anyone hear NPR's rant on the UAE and their media control. I was just flabbergasted. They were talking about how horrible the media control was over there because(Horror, shock, and dismay) they were paying people to black out the obscene, low cut salacious western media photos. So here I am in the mall the other day and there is a HUGE(bigger than life) size photo of a bare tushed guy. I am luckily without the kiddos but come on...Is this really necesssary?? I would have loved a little blackout there. It is so ridiculous, we think we have freedom here because we can pander to our baser instincts.

 

[Todd]

we think we have freedom here because we can pander to our baser instincts.

Can't argue with that....Debased does not equal real freedom.
That's why I am still a firm believer in the book "Closing of American Mind".. Alan Bloom was a sage.

 

[Rhys]

i'm mixed... i think it's one of those things people think about later and agree with