I understand what you're saying, Bowser, and it's one legitimate interpretaton of "imperialistic ambitions", as you put it. But - it has very little pertinance to my post or to the op-ed piece Tom began his thread with.

[Of course, confusing a Pax Americana - as if the US were an empire - with an actual imperial government was where Tom and a couple of other went astray, too...]

Permit me to restate:

- Peace, liberty, democracy, equal opportunity and an unencumbered flow of goods and services are the core values of an idealized 'American' way of life. In an idealized world, they will be everyone's values - not by imposition but because they are the most desirable condition. This cannot be achieved without nations - and each individual within those nations - being secure in their safety and property.

- Security through the rule of law often requires enforcement. On the planetary scale, the US has the ability to lead that effort; since last Sept. 11 the US also has the will; since the collapse of the USSR, the US has the means at its disposal (and fewer distractions).

- Capitalism does not exploit people; people exploit people. The evils, and there are many, are not inherent in the system but in some of those who use it. You are correct that our eyes must not be "unseeing" - that is why I carefully chose the phrase regulated capitalism in my post above. We must also, as you imply, be vigilant for fanatics of other kinds as well; my invocation of Nixon's ghost had a purpose.

- "Pax Americana" is a metaphor for how we wish to be remembered, as well as how we wish to live. It need not obtained at gunpoint, nor by a tsunami of homogenized pop culture, nor at the expense of the languages, religions, music, literature, art, customs and traditions of the people of this planet, nor in exchange for their health, welfare or happiness. In fact, it can be reduced to three words: Teaching by Example.

The benefits of empire can be realized without resort to "imperialism". If any word with the -ism suffix is applicable, let it be this one: humanism.

Fox