Inspired by a group of turn-of-the-century — turn of the last century — American anti-imperialists, Chris has a piece up at the Huffington Post this week titled We Have Been Here Before. Chris, leaning on Mark Twain, William James and Finley Peter Dunne’s Irish bartender, Mr. Dooley, suggests that there has always — regardless of party constellations — been a struggle between visions of America as a republic, and as an empire.
It’s inspired a few comments. Take a read.
“My definition of the modern imperial American condition is the enthronement “of the foreign oil, by the military, for the corporate class.”
Written by a man whose radio waves / Internet signals are propagated by electrons generated by the oil and he has ABSOLUTELY NOT ALTERNATIVE TO IT, by a man who would have been fed feet first into a wood chipper if he were an Iraqi prior to Saddam’s fall and the only reason he isn’t under that threat in the US (or Europe, or Japan or S Korea) is DUE TO THE US MILITARY and from someone whosw salary is paid by taxes and or grants or contributions paid for from the benefits of CORPORATIONS.
Ingrate? Lack of practical perspective? Well spoken but unable to hold two cogent thoughts long enough for them to bump togehter in his mind?
Of course, in this article, just as in all of Chris’ “reasonings” he never tells us how today is like history he just makes the claims and then quotes his favorite sources, who also never explain to us (normal people) why they think it is so. Chris is from a world where he doesnt have to explain, he just claims and its so.
Chris’ outlook on life is like a religion, he is a prophet and we are all to be saved.
Well said Christopher.
American Exceptionism has come to mean distaste throughout the world for American hegemony – without exception.
So, on the 4th of July 2006 as we occupy the nation of Iraq, we were celebrate our independence from an occupying nation, do I have that right?
Thanks for the post, Chris
Excellent article Christopher! True patriots fight for the republic not for “the military” as if it were some holy giant living in the mountains.