And I mean with copious quotes from accredited European intellectuals saying the things they are accused of saying, not a list that was gathered though some tertiary source that received it from a media outlet that got it from a conservative blog.

We can stipulate that no substantiation need be given for "arguments not seen", which encompasses the first part of your list, as it's far more difficult to prove that someone or some group of people has never said something than to find a record of something that has been said.

If you are going to hoist them off the yardarm, do them the service of doing so using their own words. This will require many different intellectuals' words, not just four or five, unless you mean to make the case that there are only eight intellectuals in Europe.

Paul Johnson, the author of the article to which Tom linked at the top of this thread, likewise makes blanket statements that name everyone and no one. I can make statements like his. Take this one: "The European intelligentsia gets its notion of America chiefly from Hollywood, TV soaps like Dallas and fiction." Let's alter it to read: "The American ruling clique gets its notion of the lower classes chiefly from talking to the household help, media personalities like Hannity and Limbaugh, and fiction." Just as substantive, and on its face at least as accurate. Documentation? Whyever would I need such a thing?

Also, please note that criticism of the behavior of the American government does not necessarily translate into hatred of Americans or contempt of all things American. One only criticizes those who matter. We are world leaders. Therefore, the actions of our government on the world stage carry more weight than other nations at this point in history.

And for the record, I'm worried about American imperialism too. First, because we appear to be walking that way, and it will destroy the Republic. Second, because we don't appear to be walking awake and with eyes open. Empire by accident is even worse than empire on purpose.

Does that make me a traitor, to wish my Nation would restrain itself? Or does it make me a patriot, to wish my Republic will save itself?

Regards--
Mary Anne