You’d probably be interested in a website I’ve been reading at called the “Liberty Park Foundation” – which has a lot of reading materials on this question of Republic vs. Empire. Especially the sections of the website named for Nathan Hale at http://www.libertyparkusafd.org/lp/Hale/index.htm and Benjamin Franklin at http://www.libertyparkusafd.org/lp/Franklin/index.htm

At any rate, I’m gonna have to spend some time reading your previous blog entries. I really like Ron Paul as well (had never heard of him until about a month ago) and have also been disappointed that Mitt Romney went and hired all the neo-cons that interpret the world for President Bush to draft his foreign policy. I expected more thoughtfulness than that . . . especially after his Dad’s experience in ’68.

Finally, did you see George Will’s column yesterday ( http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,665193925,00.html ) on some of the reasons that Senator Gordon Smith from Oregon (LDS I think, actually) now opposes the Iraqi occupation? Doesn’t seem like he is actually talking “Big Picture” about empire v. republic and so on . . . but I still found it interesting.

I guess the difference is this. When a topic comes up about something negative or bad going on in the world we can take different approaches to it:

1. Accept any new truth or knowledge (by studying to verify the accuracy) and allowing the new information to help us make better and more informed decisions.

OR

2. Feel depressed, complain about it, do nothing to help the situation or offer any solutions, personally attack others who disagree.

I believe there is value in discussing these topics if we go about it in the right way. If we have no desire to do anything good with what we learn, however, our time would probably be better spent on other things.

For instance — this post. I am not so sure I view our nation as an empire and yes, it seems to be a rather pessimistic view. But what’s wrong with considering someone else’s opinion on the subject for a few minutes?

In reading the evidence presented for this “outrageous” claim, I notice how many powers the president now holds. I can look these up if I’m not sure they are true. I can read Adams’ speech about the role the founders had in mind for America and compare it to what our country’s leaders are doing today. I could try to find any church talks/scriptures on the subject. If I have the time and interest I could purchase and read this book.

Ultimately, even if I do not quite agree that America is an empire, I realize why someone could have that view and in the process, I’ve learned a great deal about how different the role of America was intended to be from what it is currently and where we may be headed. This realization does not have to make me depressed, but can inspire me to stand up for what America should be. I think that is the point of it all.

Your assertion of 90% of my posts being “plain miserable” is quite debatable. Many find my posts enlightening and informative. I will concede the point that I dedicate much of my attention to things that I disagree with.

I’ve already discussed this aspect elsewhere.

Yes, life is great. No, I don’t have a “straight up negative look on life”. No, it’s not “every stinking blog post”.

I’m sorry you don’t find my blog worthy of your time, but there are plenty of blogs and sites out there that aren’t worthy of mine, either. Certainly there are people that will disagree with what I say or deem the content unworthy of their valuable time. That’s fine.

Sayonara, and godspeed.

I really don’t feel like this blog adds to my well being. I am not comparing you to an evil Lamanite, etc. and do have faults of my own. I am sure you do your good Church activities. It’s your straight up negative look on life, this country, and it’s leaders that drains me. I am all for a good debate but every stinking blog post?

You have lost a reader. You will most likely respond (your mom will too no doubt), but I will be gone so you can save it if you want.

Unsubscribed from google reader.

Probably the biggest tragedy of the Vietnam war is the fact that our leaders only put a stop to it, once it was clear that protests and civil unrest threatened to destroy the legitimacy of the government. After it had damaged two generations of young Americans. Yet, the pattern of the Vietnam war, is a failed colonial experiment our current leaders seem Hell-bent on repeating; like “deja-vu all over again.” (*nods to Yogi Berra*) Even the arguments are the same. Condi Rice, and Dick Cheney seem particularly fond of repeating the old “Domino Theory.”

The Writer and activist Noam Chomsky stated:

“American imperialism suffered a stunning defeat in Indochina. But the same forces are engaged In another war against a much less resilient enemy, the American people. Here, the prospects for success are much greater. The battleground is ideological, not military. At stake are the lessons to be drawn from the American war in Indochina; the outcome will determine the course and character of new imperial ventures.”

http://www.chomsky.info/interviews/198210–.htm

What can we do about it? Vote of course. Vote for the first presidential candidate that says “we are getting the Hell out of Iraq!” If our current leaders refuse to represent our needs and opinions, or worse, defy the basic laws and principles of our country, then we have the obligation and urgent duty to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Otherwise, If history is any guide, when we refuse to exercise our voting power to eliminate unrepresentative leaders, our rights will quickly be trampled upon.

Bush is no dictator. He is merely the puppet.

#1, 4, 5, and 6 apply. #2 is easily debatable.

Thanks for reinforcing my point.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/empire

If that’s not an empire, I don’t know what is.