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Entry: America: An Empire? Link: http://www.takimag.com/site/article/america_an_empire#12801 Post contents: " While I agree with him that empire is not contrary to American principles, I would have to disagree that the only problem then is how to do the job and whether the Americans are up to it. In concluding that Americans are not up to it, Mr. Coulombe implies that Americans are not up to their own principles. That might be true and I would be happy if it is. But we should not take for granted that there is nothing wrong with the principles. While empires may not be intrinsically evil, an empire which aims at rule of the entire world is evil in its pride . .. ." Kirt Higdon - from my original post on this theme I'm not sure why Mr. Wheeler is misrepresenting what I wrote when it is there for everyone to read. Does any of the above sound like I am claiming that Americans are up for the job of empire because they know their principles? I agreed that with Mr. Coulombe that empire is not contrary to American principles and expressed the hope that they were not up to the job because the principles themselves are based on pride and hence evil. To try to put this in simpler terms so that even Mr. Wheeler can understand, Americans will fail at empire because they are not the godlike supermen, supreme in virtue and competence, that their principles tell them they are. They are not exceptional - just sinful, prideful human beings with an exagerrated idea of their own virtue and abilities. Sent at: 2009 01 07