Most of us Americans are proud to be a citizen of this country….,the problem is, as I see it, NO one is willing to question the US and its actions for fear of being labelled somehoe…..you know being political correct or worse a traitor for not blindly supporting the various interventions of conquest…..and make NO mistake these are conquest…maybe not in land area but something is gained for the situation.
Over the weekend Daniel Drezner, professor at Tufts University and writer for The Washington Post, got into an interesting debate with a number of leftists on Twitter. The question at issue was worldwide American military hegemony: Is it good or bad? Drezner took the “good” position, while Adam Johnson of Alternet took the contrary view.
Both sides make some pretty good points. But regardless of one’s position on the American empire, anyone in Drezner’s position must recognize a basic duty to keep a suspicious eye on government activity — especially when it involves the use of force.
When in doubt, call for more oversight
Source: Why you should always cast a suspicious eye on American power
I believe that all Americans should question their government’s involvement internationally……they should asked what is to be gained….and by whom?
Frankly. I am one of those who do not believe it is an American “Empire”. We’ve been rolling over for countries that give us nothing in return but hate – Cuba, Iran, Iraq, etc, etc. We get nothing in return but dead soldiers sent home – how is that politically correct?
When we have troops stationed in about 120 countries then that is an empire…if they are there as tools of American policy then it is….
Many are requested out of fear of China or Russia – NATO feels we interfere in everything on the planet and the rest is the person who is responsible for the policy – good ole pres!
You don’t believe the American Empire is an Empire??? This is like finding somebody who actually believes in unicorns. 🙂
Why isn’t it an Empire? Because America is hated? Most Empires are hated by other nations, so that’s a better argument for it being an Empire. Because America “roles over” for countries that should be bowing down before it? That kind of social-ranking of nations also makes a better argument “for” than “against”. And “nothing in return”??? Aside from cheap oil, cheap resources, trade agreements orientating global trade in favour of those running the US Empire (and their like minded brethren)? Just because you’re an Empire doesn’t mean every citizen gets a free Cadillac under their seat every show.
How does America NOT fit the criteria of an Empire? It’s a globally dominant economic, political, cultural and military power. It has military bases all over the world…and yes…colonies. Nobody ever talks about them. But they are colonies nonetheless..and held long after holding colonies fell out of fashion.
http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/03/13/the-5-us-colonies/
Now, the good/bad nature of the US Empire and the quality of its management is most certainly up for debate..(See: Ottoman Empire fading for about a century before dissolving) But the fact America is an Empire isn’t up for debate. America just wants to pretend that it isn’t one.
First off – I never said anyone should bow down to us. As far as I’m concerned, we should NOT be in most of those countries – period. let them handle their own affairs without our interference. I don’t know who we’re getting all these great trade agreements from, but we sign papers with Iran, knowing they never adhere to any agreement they sign. We drop the blockade for Cuba (~ 130 miles from me) for what? so we have the privilege of visiting their slums and spending money to buy their old car chassis’ ?
Don’t get me wrong, I am thrilled we are now friends with Japan, but where does Obama get off apologizing to them without getting one in return for all they killed with their own atrocities?
I don’t agree with everything America does, but I do believe it is the best in the world – and if someone doesn’t like it and can’t find a valid method of change – either shut up or leave.
As far as I’m concerned, we should NOT be in most of those countries – period. let them handle their own affairs without our interference.
Not only are you right, that’s my point! Constant meddling & interference around the globe is a sure sign of Empire. Why did the British Empire meddle with Maharajahs? Why the fuck does America care which dictator runs a nation on the other side of the world? Because they want the dictator who will do America’s bidding. As long as they pay tribute and pledge fealty, America lets them do whatever they want.
America meddles in every goddamn thing on this planet. And if it really doesn’t like something going on somewhere, KABOOM! Oddly enough, most people don’t like blowing up and tend to hate the nation blowing them up. Being hated & resented, even by your “friends”, (See Pakistan) is a natural outcome of Empire. People want control over their own affairs and hate anyone trying to take it away. But you get that, even if you don’t want to say the E-word.
” I don’t know who we’re getting all these great trade agreements from…”
It’s a bi-partisan effort to please American multinationals and the shareholders of the US Empire. They don’t want the “burden” of paying American wages & taxes and having to follow American labour & environmental laws. So they get exploitative trade deals signed with pathetic nations where there are no rules. Just as the British Empire had great deals with the lowly, resource-rich, Indian & American colonies, American Imperialists absolutely LOVE the trade deals America has. Who cares if it’s clobbering American citizens and bankrupting the nation? As in Rome, all you gotta do is provide the plebs with enough “bread & circuses” to pacify them. America’s bread is just deep-fried and one of its circus clowns might become Emperor.
This one falls under “poorly managed Empire” because these trade deals harm, rather than benefit, the citizenry and the Empire itself to the point where it risks collapsing. Think “Caligula” and you’ve got a decent impression of the current attitude of those running the US Empire.
“but we sign papers with Iran, knowing they never adhere to any agreement they sign.”
You’re right again. Sure it’s nice to come to an agreement that slows nuclear proliferation a tad, but the important questions are “Why are Iranian nukes an issue?” and “Why is America making the deal?” Is it because America invented nukes and is the only nation to have ever used them? Do they think they own the copyright??? (Maybe.) No, it’s because the American Empire continues to meddle in a region it’s actively meddled in for over half a century. Don’t like an Iranian ruler? Replace him with one you like. The Iranians fire him? Well, declare Iran an arch-enemy and constantly threaten war. That will make them your friend!
But other than sheer nuclear proliferation, why does it matter if Iran gets a nuke? Pakistan has nukes & they’re even more batshit crazy. Hell, Pakistan exported them! But for some insane reason, (Empirical manoeuvring) Pakistan is somehow America’s “friend”. Israel has nukes too and most are pointed at Iran. No wonder Iran wants ’em. But to America, Israel having nukes is fine. Those nations are “with the American program”. Iran isn’t. That’s the difference. And if America wasn’t an Empire, nobody in America would give a shit.
These decisions are not “values driven” in the slightest. India is a democracy that has never attacked Americans. Pakistan is a dictatorship directly & indirectly responsible for thousands of attacks on Americans. The choice of “friends” is merely a result of the global chess game of Empire. Just look at the clusterfuck of “alliances of convenience” America has in Syria, Iraq & Yemen. The best explanation is “Whatever advances the US Empire’s agenda at any given moment”.
We drop the blockade for Cuba for what? so we have the privilege of visiting their slums and spending money to buy their old car chassis?
Hey, I felt more comfortable visiting those Cuban slums than I do in most areas of Detroit…a place those Cubans absolutely worship. Detroit made the fantastic cars those genius Cuban mechanics somehow manage to keep going after all these years…despite the asinine boycott. Meanwhile, we’re lucky if our mechanics can keep a car on the road for 10 years. I can only imagine the tears when Cubans discover what’s happened to Detroit since the 50’s.
But again, the relevant question is “Why the boycott in the first place?” It’s because the biggest rival of the US Empire made an aggressive move there over 50 years ago. Even though it ended quickly in America’s favour, that little island is still being punished decades after that rival Empire collapsed.
Is it about communism? Absolutely not! Because if it was, “Made In China” wouldn’t be on every product on American shelves. The boycott was about making Cuba “an example” to other nations operating in the American “sphere of influence” declared by the Monroe Doctrine. (aka “The Americas are America’s.”) But hey, at least America didn’t salt the fields like Rome used to do in similar situations. A “kinder, gentler” Empire perhaps, but still an Empire.
but where does Obama get off apologizing to them (Japan) without getting one in return for all they killed with their own atrocities?
First, Obama didn’t. Certainly no more than Raygun did when visiting a graveyard full of dead Nazis. One of the first things people need to realize is that Americans “don’t apologize for nuthin’, not never!” America rarely even apologizes to it’s own people for the inexcusable shit it does. (See: Native Americans, MKUltra, black soldiers with untreated STDs, the NSA making copies of this conversation…etc.)
Second, Obama should apologize…one Emperor to another. How can you be friends with somebody you got into a viscous, knock-down-drag-out bar fight with without ever saying “Sorry about that time I went all nuclear on you”….even if you don’t really mean it and the other guy actually was in the wrong. Apology begets apology. (Your average Canadian apologizes 20-30 times a day.) But again, you’re right. Japan seriously needs to apologize to a whole bunch of nations. Better 70 years late than never.
In conclusion to this completely unwarranted rant (See: “apologizing” paragraph above), the things you are complaining about are largely the symptoms of chronic Empire Disease. And as I said previously, being an Empire doesn’t inherently make you 100% evil 100% of the time. (The term Evil Empire itself implies “We’re the Good Empire.”) The world has seen FAR, FAR, worse Empires than the American one. But positive/negative does NOT determine the Empire label. However, if America wasn’t an Empire, it would be a HELL of a lot better nation to live in and get along with than it is. It would have done only a fraction of the nasty shit it’s done and it wouldn’t be so widely hated.
But the first step is admitting you have a problem. Until America admits it’s an Empire, you can’t do anything about it. And America is WELL beyond the threshold for holding an “intervention”. It’s harming friends, family and above all, it’s destroying itself. It has to stop with the “love it, leave it, or shut the hell up” routine. Otherwise, America is just going to carry on until its body is found in a ditch someday, dead from an overdose, or murdered by a colony who just couldn’t take it anymore.
I agree with GP Cox on this one.
Of course you…..
I agree with gigoid….sigh..
I wanna go home…Bwwwaaaa….
Beam me up Scottie…
I await for my Klingon brothers to come get me…..NO intel life here….move on….tee hee…
Ya know chuq……I gave up helping people… it simply restricts their growth…and makes me tired and I did not want a halo…..
I used to teach and say ‘found out for yourself …. do not believe me….
Bear with me…
In terms of salvation, we are all utterly helpless. We are all infected by sin (Romans 3:23), and condemned as a result of that sin (Romans 6:23). Nothing we can do on our own can remedy this situation (Isaiah 64:6). Thankfully, God is the helper of the helpless. While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus paid the penalty that we were incapable of paying (2 Corinthians 5:21). God provided the “help” that we need precisely because we could not help ourselves.
Apart from salvation, there is perhaps a way that the concept “God helps those who help themselves” is correct. As an example, if you asked me to help you move a piece of furniture, but then just watched me as I moved the furniture for you, I was not actually helping you. I would be doing the work for you. Many Christians fall into the trap of inactivity. Many Christians ask God for help, but then expect God to do everything Himself. They excuse this by pointing to the fact that God will provide according to His will and in His timing. However, this is not a reason for inactivity. As a specific example, if you are in need of a job, ask the Lord to help you find a job – but then be active in actually looking for a job. While it is in His power to do so, it is highly unlikely that God will cause employers to come looking for you!
To cut a long and tedious story short….
BUTT OUT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS….NOW.
And let them get on with it…..and then perhaps they might find their own tools instead of being imposed upon by ruddy Empires.
American Exceptionalism…Indeed!
Thank god the British empire is deceased …….long live accountability.
My failing is that deep down I am still a teacher and cannot let it go…..it may be a failing but it is me and I feel I must continue…although the lack of sleep is perplexing….LOL
Like my Dad used to say…”It Is Like Kicking Shit Up A Hill”
All you need chuq is one student…..that one student will carry on your work..
No need to be greedy….
Conversions are out of date…and don’t last long…
Thanx for the encouragement…
I’m afraid I must agree with Lady P. Though you are correct in saying any citizen of a democratic republic MUST stay alert to the government’s actions, I feel compelled to add, there is NO democratic republic left anywhere on this planet. The entire gamut of human culture is sick, and broken; I don’t see any way to fix what is wrong by our own hands. The only solution left is already in progress, and won’t take long to come to a final conclusion, to wit: we are history.
All we can do is help people understand how nasty things are going to get, and be able to accept both their own part in what happens, and, accept the futility of trying to change what is out of our control. Trying to change reality to match our preconceived notions is the whole problem, anyway; it has always been our root core flaw, and can easily be seen as one of the primary reasons it has all gone to shit….
Me, I’m done kicking shit uphill, and will spend my remaining days attempting to find personal serenity…. even if I have to kick some ignorant ass to do so….
gigoid, the dubious
Serenity is a movie and it was over-rated…LOL
*smile* Well, I didn’t see the movie, but, I’ve had a taste or two of serenity, and it is definitely NOT over-rated….
And much better than the alternative….
*grin*
gigoid
‘My country, right or wrong’ is a thing no patriot would ever think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying ‘My mother, drunk or sober.’
– G. K. Chesterton
Good quote…I like it