Allan,
I typed you a response yesterday but deleted it because I was uncomfortable with it.
I have no doubt you can support your visions from many angles. I did read up on the Hamiltonian, Jacksonian, Wilsonian,and Jeffersonian influence in foreign policy. I think this discussion has pushed me into deeper studies.
I also came across what I believe is the crux of our draw to debate one another. I believe that we view the concept of “special providence” quite differently. I think the way to handle it is not foreign policy debate because we would go in circles for ever. It shades everything you and I could opine on. It is a philosophical problem to me. So I am agreeable to diasgreeing.
As to your being uncomfortable with the terms word empire and its derivatives I found something that might help explain that too. I will paste it if I can find it.http://zmagsite.zmag.org/Dec2003/nevins1203.html
I agree with arraya on Iraq. There is oil as well as strategic importance there.
