A Debate Over U.S. 'Empire' Builds in Unexpected Circles

[kskiska]

At forums sponsored by policy think tanks, on radio talk shows and around Cleveland Park dinner tables, one topic has been hotter than the weather in Washington this summer: Has the United States become the very "empire" that the republic's founders heartily rejected?

Liberal scholars have been raising the question but, more strikingly, so have some Republicans with impeccable conservative credentials.

For example, C. Boyden Gray, former counsel to President George H.W. Bush, has joined a small group that is considering ways to "educate Americans about the dangers of empire and the need to return to our founding traditions and values," according to an early draft of a proposed mission statement.

(snip)

The stirrings among Republicans are still muted. Most in the GOP -- as well as a large number of Democrats -- support bigger military budgets and see no alternative to a forceful U.S. role abroad. But those leading the debate say it is, at the very least, bringing in voices across the ideological spectrum for a long overdue appraisal of what the nation's role should be.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38891-2003Aug9.html

[KoKo]

1. A Must Read Article! The "Shadow Govt." begins to fight within itself....

I'd like to think that all of us "Anti-Invasion" protestors, or the Democratic Wing of the Democratic party or Robert Byrd's stirring speeches on the Senate Floor brought this about.......but NO......

It's the intellectual wing of the "Shadow Government" who has suddenly begun to question it's "rogue elements."

Oh well, to look on the bright side.....I'm going to give "US" the people credit for it anyway.........

MoveOn.org., Take Back the Media........Liberal Intenet Streaming Radio and the dozens of web sites like DU, Buzzflash,Online Journal and the others, all have probably played a bigger role than they would ever let us know in causing some of this division. They just want to take the credit........

[amagusta]

2. Bush would be first elected emperor in modern history

if he had been elected.

[otohara]

3. Dupe

Please continue discussion here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=59301