Thanks for clarifying the proper categorization of the Cato Institute. I'll claim partial credit, as a matter of perspective, I guess, because Libertarian positions often intersect conservative positions. For the record, I'm more comfortable with Libertarians, on average, than conservatives.
I've been skeptical of Cato mainly when they presumed to issue "scientific" papers in areas like global warming. Being right (sometimes) on political grounds doesn't make one qualified to have an opinion on scientific matters....especially when the conclusion just happens to be in the economic interest of one's patrons.
You use "isolationism" in an absolutist way that implies that you see the choice as either isolationism or empire. I'd assert that there's a middle ground that's proper for a republic, "constructive engagement" with the rest of the world. Get along; live and let live; beat the crap out of anybody who actually threatens us (as opposed to bombing the boogeymen in the shadows out of nothing more substantial than fear).
But that, as you say, is a discussion in its own right.
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