I certainly believe it Tom.............. and although I can't speak for him........... I don't doubt Bowser believes it too....

The difference is,,,,, your ( and Matt's) readings as to how this has all come about... and what we should do about it... differ from mine ( And I think, but again, have no right to say... Bowsers) .. readings.

Speaking entirely for myself now.... I have always taken it as a first principle that should a conflict, problem, disaster .. (Choose your own term) arise in civil society.. or any situation involving human relationships..........then those most likely to be at fault are those who are in power, in authority, in control.......

It makes no logical sense to take those who are in the weakest position to influence events\actions and say they are responsible for the outcomes.

If a plane flies into a mountain you don't automatically assume it was the passenger back in third class in the cheap seats who caused it.. you look at the actions of the pilot.

( Not a great analogy I know... but it's getting late here.. am tired)

In my opinion we .." the Free West" .........have been in the pilots seat for decades... our politicians, our leaders and our media certainly crow that we have.. ( "Defeat of communism"..........."End of History" etc.)

If it all looks like turning very nasty now.....then beyond question... OUR actions must have had a lot to do with it.

And we had better re-examine damn quick,what, exactly, they were and try to put right any harm we may have done before it is too late... not wait till we hit the mountain then hope someone points to the guy sitting back in the cheap seats and say it was all his fault.