The latest from this chickenhawk columnist

[bluestateguy]

This little chickenhawk's column only helps to push me more toward isolationism. Where is Warren Harding when you need him?



http://www.townhall.com/columnists/benshapiro/bs20050810.shtml

Why war in Iraq is right for America

by Ben Shapiro

It is now clear that the war in Iraq is unpopular. Just last month, 53 percent of Americans felt that sending troops to Iraq was not a mistake. This week, 54 percent of Americans believed that it was, according to USA Today. Two months ago, only 39 percent of Americans believed that war in Iraq had made us less safe from terrorism. This week, 57 percent stated that war had made us less safe.

cut

But now, America faces a crossroads. Since the death of the Soviet Union, we are unquestionably the world's only superpower, the world's remaining empire. Acquiring an empire requires a different mindset than maintaining and expanding one. Empires either decline or they grow. If America is to survive and flourish, Americans must realize that empire isn't a choice: It's a duty.

cut

That is why impatient isolationism serves us ill in Iraq. Did Iraq pose an immediate threat to our nation? Perhaps not. But toppling Saddam Hussein and democratizing Iraq prevent his future ascendance and end his material support for future threats globally. The same principle holds true for Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Pakistan and others: Pre-emption is the chief weapon of a global empire.

No one said empire was easy, but it is right and good, both for Americans and for the world. Forwarding freedom is always important, but it is especially important where doing so ensures America's future security -- as in Iraq. Maintaining American empire will require Americans to recognize the dangers of impatient isolationism.

[slor]

1. So when is he enlisting?

Oh wait, I forgot, he is fighting the bitter "global struggle against idea extremism" over here, right?

[ET Awful]

2. Odd, that sounds suspiciously like what Hitler said before he

conquered Europe.

[H2O Man]

4. Right.

He equates "super power" with "empire," as if the two must be the same.

[wakeme2008]

3. From his bio

Benjamin Shapiro was born in 1984 in Burbank, Calif. Brought up in the home of two Reagan Republicans, where intelligent conversation about politics and philosophy was encouraged, Shapiro quickly developed into a reasoned political thinker and a powerful writer.

He entered UCLA at the age of 16. Never afraid to antagonize his political opposition, he was the only counter-protester at an Affirmative Action Rally that drew over 1,500 people on UCLA's campus, and he has repeatedly challenged liberal professors and faculty.

..cut...

Shapiro is a regular guest on dozens of radio shows around the United States and Canada. He is also the author of the national bestseller, Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth (May 2004, Thomas Nelson Inc./WND Books).

...more here...

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/BIOS/cbshapiro.html

[LynneSin]

13. So he's 21 years old - let's get that man to an army recruiter now

I mean, what better way to show support for what you have written in support of the war is to enlist.

[bobbieinok]

5. it's satire, surely.....no one can say/write this with a straight face

. Did Iraq pose an immediate threat to our nation? Perhaps not. But toppling Saddam Hussein and democratizing Iraq prevent his future ascendance and end his material support for future threats globally. The same principle holds true for Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Pakistan and others: Pre-emption is the chief weapon of a global empire.

No one said empire was easy, but it is right and good, both for Americans and for the world.

preemptive war/attack/invasion of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan???? ...... isn't North Korea more of a potential threat than any of these


surely someone is putting these inspiring words to imperial music

.......Pre-emption is the chief weapon of a global empire. No one said empire was easy, but it is right and good, both for Americans and for the world...............

[Solly Mack]

6. I see he failed history.

[NoPasaran]

17. LOL!

:rofl:

[annabanana]

7. a big PNAC fan, obviously...

His outlook will assure that the U.S. will end up on History's dung heap along with centuries of other failed empires.

We have the amazing, once in a worldwide opportunity to try something DIFFERENT. I believe that progress is possible in the human condition.

For the first time ever, because of the speed of communication, the inception of empire-like behavior can be examined earlier and earlier. This gives the human race a better chance than ever before in history of NIPPING IT IN THE BUD!

Lets look to a time when armies are entirely of the Peace Corp variety. Who WOULDN'T volunteer their service if they knew that they would be fighting famine and disease...

But in order to do this, we have to believe that it's possible. In order to do this, we must introduce every mother's son, one to the other. No one wants their child to die, especially in the killing of another human being.

[RetroLounge]

8. Just another Repug Chickenhawk Asshat

fighting the "war of ideas" cause he's too much of a GOPussy to enlist...

RL

[rateyes]

9. LIttle Ben needs to grow up! eom

[mac56]

10. This little wuss is 21, according to his bio.

Why doesn't he enlist?! Walk his talk? Put his money where his mouth is?

[Justice]

11. He thinks this is a game - the way he writes, he thinks this is

like the game of RISK - you know when you took your colored cubes and invaded a country. He has no sense of reality.

[Connie_Corleone]

12. Empire?? Empires don't last.

Don't these idiots learn from history?

[annabanana]

16. Clearly.. they are working with software "human 0.1"

It's time to have leaders with an upgrade.

[Supersedeas]

29. apparently their version of intelligent design works for Shapiro

[Bob3]

14. and one copy of "The White Man's Burden"

to the little snot nosed git.

God do I hate these empire clowns. The one truth of empires is that they fall - from Egypt to the Soviet Union each has their day and then they fade away into dust leaving nothing but broken monuments - Lincoln called America the last best hope for mankind - I'd rather live there than in the grandest empire. We will never bring demo racy to the world with an air strike or with the barrel of a gun.

[Bassic]

15. Well Benny, you're young and healthy

So do your part and enlist right now!

[matcom]

18. my letter to little Ben

Mr Shapiro,

Interesting Editorial. I see from your BIO you are 21 years of age. First of all, your country needs you now more than ever. As a Veteran, let me suggest that you run, not walk to your nearest recruiting station. The Army is literally BEGGING for 21 year old recruits. It is your patriotic duty sir. You can single handedly save Iraq with your service.

If you choose not to take the advice above, then I suggest you immediately enroll in a remedial history course at your local community college. Specifically, I suggest you study the rise of the Third Reich (pre-WWII) as your writings are along the same path as Adolph Hitler's during that period. I'm sure you will rethink your love of 'Empire' after successfully completing your course.

Oh Ben, one other thing. Empire's fall. Every time. They fall hard.

Sincerely,

xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx

[theHandpuppet]

26. Excellent letter!

And here are some quotes from Adolf Hitler, no doubt ones little Ben has burned into his wee brain:

"Strength lies not in defence but in attack."

"Success is the sole earthly judge of right and wrong."

"The broad masses of a population are more amenable to the appeal of rhetoric than to any other force."

"The great masses of the people will more easily fall victims to a big lie than to a small one."

"The great strength of the totalitarian state is that it forces those who fear it to imitate it."

"The leader of genius must have the ability to make different opponents appear as if they belonged to one category."

"The victor will never be asked if he told the truth."

"There is a road to freedom. Its milestones are Obedience, Endeavor, Honesty, Order, Cleanliness, Sobriety, Truthfulness, Sacrifice, and love of the Fatherland."

"Universal education is the most corroding and disintegrating poison that liberalism has ever invented for its own destruction. "

"What good fortune for governments that the people do not think."

"When an opponent declares, "I will not come over to your side," I calmly say, "Your child belongs to us already... What are you? You will pass on. Your descendants, however, now stand in the new camp. In a short time they will know nothing else but this new community."

"Who says I am not under the special protection of God?"

[iamahaingttta]

Stupid child!

What have we wrought when our children dream of empire?

Stupid, stupid child!!!

[mcscajun]

19. "...empire isn't a choice: It's a duty."

:puke:

I cannot read the whole thing...I haven't had my breakfast yet. :yoiks:

[salin]

20. If so, Ben - then why wasn't THAT what was taken to congress

to authorize war? Why wasn't THAT sold to the public.

Oh, because maybe folks don't support empire? Maybe folks would realize that to man such a thing would require a draft and the turning back of tax cuts in order to fund such an unending adventure?

Why all the lies? Why the cooked intelligence? Why the trips to the UN? bah!

[Divernan]

21. Bush's "impatient isolationism"=s pulling out of intl. treaties

and appointing that monster to be ambassador to the UN in hopes of gutting it.

[Lowell]

22. This sound very familiar

Wasn't Hitler's invasion of Poland a pre-emptive strike?

Ben and his ilk really do want to take us back to the days of imperialism. When conquest was an accepted means of diplomacy. All empires fall. The neocons are trying their best to lead us into the second dark ages.

Empires are formed by taking away other people's freedoms. Ben is confused and really needs to do a couple combat tours to straighten out his thinking. . . or rid us of this pompous chickenhawk.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

23. Strap on those boots and pick up a rifle, Ben.

Another neocon being brave with the lives of others, and the last person who'd dare sign up for the wars he so gleefully champions.

[shadowknows69]

24. I don't want to live in an "Empire"

historically they haven't done real well asswipe.

[HughBeaumont]

25. "If America is to survive and flourish"???

Like our LIVES depend on the conquering of other nations and not WORKING with them in a humanitarian effort? It's exactly that sort of bullshit way of thinking that's going to KILL us, Ben-a-dick.

Read a fucking history book sometime, you twat.

Of course, being raised by two Reaganite repukes, how ELSE is he going to think?

[graywarrior]

27. Just sent him an email requesting that he please enlist.

[Blue_Tires]

28. ttt

this is just too juicy to fall off page 1