Ever think of the good earth after the stupid empires have faded into infamy?Like Italian and French countrysides once ravaged by the Roman Empire!
Ravaged during its obsessive fantasy of control that drove its troops across that countryside oblivious to its beauty, tranquillity, and comfort.
Now that countryside is filled with villages, children, and a better way of life.
And lots of graves of the power mad troops.
The major difference now is that the US empire is the first to have truly "global reach" (not coincidentally one of MOMCOMs favorite phrases). We also have global destructive capacity with the nukes, so the idea that we'll at some point just go peacefully into the night is probably mistaken.
ReplyDeleteAt some point in the near future, I think the rest of the major powers are going to realize that it's in no one's best interest that ANY nation have global military hegemony, never mind one that's fundamentally bankrupt, fascist, and imperialistic to the core. I don't think we'll have too many friends in powerful places once the slide begins.
All the 2012 end of the world fantasies aside, that's when unraveling will likely begin in earnest. We'll have had almost 3 more years of huge budget deficits, bad news on two (or three?) war fronts, dysfunctional domestic politics, disappointing if not calamitous economic results, and a presidential election that promises to be the most devisive ever. At some point, massive military expansion may actually be the only viable employment initiative available.
At that point, we will indeed be Weimar. Especially if that old crank McCain manages to resurrect his presidential ambitions yet again, which, given a a national crisis and his ability to remain alive and kicking (and the old fucker will live to 100 just out of sheer spite), might just happen. What's the old Chinese admonition about praying that you not live in interesting times? We're about to enter some VERY interesting times indeed!
disaffected,
ReplyDeleteYep, once an empire beats all the luv it can into the world, it is all downhill from there.