<States rights was a valid cause. It is unfortunate that the right to maintain slaves, obviously wrong, was the right that the civil war was fought over. >
The rest of the world, recognizing the industrial, political, military, numerical, technological, cultural and ideological strength and dominance of the USA is just a tad worried about being turned into latter-day niggers, to be whupped or lynched if we get uppity. Give a bit of lip and we might find ourselves dealt to in a very casual way.
That's why everyone is watching what happens to the most evil of the evil in Camp X-ray. That's why everyone watches closely how the USA deals with Afghanistan, the Taleban, Osama's gang and so on. We are all a bit frightened.
Now, you might think, "And a damn good thing that is too, because we'll give you a whuppin' if you piss us off at all". But that's the way the British are alleged to have maintained control across a planet-wide Empire. Yet the USA people by and large seem to think that the British were some sort of bad guys. [Not bad as in rap 'baadddd'].
History is far from finished. So is evolution. Despite some silly claims that they are.
I actually agree with you "And a damn good thing that is too because we'll give you a whuppin' if you break the rules of civilisation". That's why I'm happy to fund USS Enterprise with the taxes from my companies in the USA. I hire Americans to produce goods and services which my companies sell around the world. I'm getting my revamped UN by hook or by crook.
I don't mind if it happens by way of the USA simply expanding their judicial, military and political system around the world. Each taken-over country [Colinized and Condoleezzaed] could be made into a new state of the USA. But I don't think the USA would really like to do that because like West Germany taking over East Germany [which was relatively small] and like Great Britain taking over India, Pakistan, New Zealand etc, it becomes a bit too much of a mouthful. Biting off more than they can chew.
Britain ended up shutting the door on the empire, partly to avoid huge numbers arriving as British citizens and partly because the locals were happy with autonomy. As we have seen lately, there are LOTS of terrorists in Britain, thanks in part to the immigration which Enoch Powell said decades ago would end in tears.
So, while I wouldn't mind if the USA built an empire like Britain's [because the legal and political structure is better than the alternatives just now - in the absence of a good quality UN], I think it would be in USA interests to keep the rest of the world at arm's length. The best way to do that is to give the UN a rebore, cut it down to size and create a federal system.
Unimaginative people can't seem to get their heads around the idea that a revamped UN could be constitutionally limited to border integrity and rules for oceans, near-space, air pollution, radio spectrum and the like. Also, it should NOT be based on one country, one vote or majority rule etc.
Anyway, this alien is getting nervous! Will Americans treat aliens with tender, loving care, human rights and all that stuff. Will we presumed innocent until proven guilty? Or will there be concentration camps expanded on Cuba to take the problem people and some triad of lieutenants vote 2:1 on each person's life? Lt William Calley could be brought out of retirement to help with decisions. No need for a legal system for aliens eh. The British Empire was fairly relaxed about the legal position of foreigners' legal rights, slaves etc until recent centuries.
Plus ca change,
Mqurice |
