Steve, thank you for the Webster's definition of imperialism but, the word
has a history as well, one that has no semblance to what we are doing in Iraq
today. Historically, imperialist nations have gone in and taken a country by
force and kept it for financial gain, plundered resources, brutally repressed the
people and kept the land for as long as possible. We have said all along we
have no interest in making Iraq US territory and plan to leave as soon a
possible. We have liberated the Iraqi people from the brutal regime of Saddam
Hussein. Hospitals are open. Schools are open. Children are back at school. Iraqis
are taking more and more responsibility for their security. There is a
flourishing free press with over 160 Iraqi newspapers that have started up since
liberation. There is a thriving small business free market with satellite dish
stores, white good sales (refrigerators and appliances) on every street corner in
downtown Baghdad. Roads and bridges are being rebuilt as well as other
infrastructure projects, we even trained and outfitted a battalion strength army unit
made up of Iraqis. All this on our dime, to call this imperialism is just,
incorrect.
In a message dated 10/22/03 9:57:07 PM, steve@... writes:
Kelly, why don't you put, "Libertarians for terror.. As long as it's
not on
our soil" on that sign? ¿Imperialism? Give me and our party a break.
It's much
to soon to argue that. Do you recommend we cut and run?
Michael,
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913):
Imperialism \Im*pe"ri*al*ism\, n.
The policy, practice, or advocacy of seeking, or acquiescing
in, the extension of the control, dominion, or empire of a
nation, as by the acquirement of new, esp. distant, territory
or dependencies, or by the closer union of parts more or less
independent of each other for operations of war, copyright,
internal commerce, etc.
Does "The practice of seeking... the extension of the control of a
nation... by the acquirement of new, esp. distant, territory" not fit
the current situation? Have we not taken control of a distant
territory?
-- Steve >>