Just Say No to Empire

Reihan and I debate the role of the United States as the global cop.

I've been trying to accrue more expertise and deeper understanding of the US military's role in the world and the degree to which our national security state delivers what its supporters claim. I'm working on a feature about some of these issues, so this debate was a good opportunity to engage some of the more thoughtful . Also: I had to look up the definition of brigandage after we'd finished, but this often happens to be after conversations with Reihan.

Comments (15)

1. The impetus to "play cop" will now be on the Left, Mr Hayes.

   I've seen a lot of "return to isolationism" on the Right (via the bloggers and some pundits). Their little dalliance with neo-conservatism blew up in their faces politically and I don't think they're ready for a repeat.

   Most still support the idea of going into Iraq...but they'll never support another one (atleast not memories fade...theirs AND ours.).

   Posted by Mask at 06/15/2009 @ 11:28am

2. Conservatives also supported going into Afghanistan....as just about 90%+ of ALL Americans.........but some of us are ready to call it a day there or at least, dial it back.

   Posted by Happy at 06/15/2009 @ 11:35am

3. The ironic thing is, America has been moving steadily leftward for the past 9 years, while Israel has been moving steadily right. I disagree with Amy Goodman that we're two varieties of the same. Seems to me the neocons are on the run and now the only place they can reliably wallow in their fascist fantasies is Israel.

   Posted by DejaVu at 06/15/2009 @ 11:47am

4. going into afghanistan was the beginning of the end of the united states.

   Posted by darladoon at 06/15/2009 @ 12:13pm

5. Posted by Happy at 06/15/2009 @ 11:35am

   Yeah, funny how that attitude times out perfectly with Wednesday, November 5th (day after Election Day), huh?

   Posted by Mask at 06/15/2009 @ 12:23pm

6. We need to continue to "carry a big stick" wherever and whenever our national security interests dictate. To do otherwise is suicidal.

   Posted by antisocialist at 06/15/2009 @ 12:36pm

7. To do otherwise is suicidal.

   Posted by antisocialist at 06/15/2009 @ 12:36pm

   To walk around with a big stick is often suicidal in itself. And more often homicidal. Ask all those dead Iraqi's and American soldiers.

   Posted by chaoszen at 06/15/2009 @ 1:00pm

8. I always catch more flies with honey than a big stick soaked in vinegar..

   Posted by chaoszen at 06/15/2009 @ 1:04pm

9. Yeah, funny how that attitude times out perfectly with Wednesday, November 5th (day after Election Day), huh?

   Posted by Mask at 06/15/2009 @ 12:23pm

   Your memory isn't what it used to be when you were a left-of-center Centrist....too much Kool-aid!

   I've said, long before 11/5/08, I'll defer course of action in Afghanistan to whoever the CIC is and that includes calling it quits......unless you don't think that's an option open to Your Messiah....LOL!

   Posted by Happy at 06/15/2009 @ 2:01pm

10. I always catch more flies with honey than a big stick soaked in vinegar..

    Posted by chaoszen at 06/15/2009 @ 1:04pm

    We're not trying to catch flies, we're trying to stop people who want to kill us.

    Posted by antisocialist at 06/15/2009 @ 2:14pm

11. we're trying to stop people who want to kill us.

    Posted by antisocialist at 06/15/2009 @ 2:14pm

    Oh! you mean like all the right wingnut domestic terrorists like Scott Roeder and James W. von Brunn? Who are incited to violence by right wing pundits like Hannity, Savage (weiner), O'Reilly, Limbaugh, Colter, Church, and a host of others?

    Yes, I agree we do need to do something about all these terrorists and the people that enable them, very serious problem indeed.

    As far as any threats from abroad I think we need to clean house here before we start worrying about them to much.

    Posted by chaoszen at 06/16/2009 @ 07:22am

12. The enemy is within. Not without. I mean look at 9/11 as the ultimate example. Anyone who has bothered to connect the dots knows that 9/11 was a false flag operation.

    Sooner or later the truth about this will rise to the surface. Hopefully sooner than later. Even the left balks at expressing any truth on this matter. And most anyone who wants to retain any credibility runs from it like political napalm. Sad.

    Personally I don't find it that difficult to digest. It has happened before. But never with such disregard for human life. I would hope that most of you know that Dick "Shooter" Cheney was directing the attack from the bunker beneath the Whitehouse, and not responding to it. Call me crazy. But I know this from the very marrow of my being.

    Posted by chaoszen at 06/16/2009 @ 08:49am

13. right wing pundits like Hannity, Savage (weiner), O'Reilly, Limbaugh, Colter, Church, and a host of others?

    Posted by chaoszen at 06/16/2009 @ 07:22am

    With, arguably, Coulter being the manliest of the bunch. Look at that Adam's Apple!

    Sheesh.

    Posted by schnellerheinz at 06/16/2009 @ 6:30pm

14. Call me crazy. But I know this from the very marrow of my being. Posted by chaoszen at 06/16/2009 @ 08:49am | ignore this person | warn this person

    you're crazy.

    you "know" nothing.

    you think the CIA could pull something like this? I have news for you. Bay of Pigs.

    you think they could find 19 people willing to commit suicide for America? hahahahahaha. not inamillionyears.

    Posted by emile duBois at 06/17/2009 @ 09:17am

15. do you honestly think that a cabal which planned and executed the 9/11 attacks would allow themselves to be voted out of power, which occurred in 2006 and 2008?

    of course not.

    Posted by emile duBois at 06/17/2009 @ 09:21am