"We stand not for empire, but for self-determination."

[MadHound]

It is but one small sentence, in one small speech, a throwaway line. But I damned near threw a book through my TV.

Seriously, how can our President, in discussing the drawdown of troops from one war of empire, say this line with a straight face? After a decade of being involved in two wars for empire, does he honestly think that the American people are that dumb?

Really, this is insulting to our intelligence. He didn't have to put this line in there, but he did. Yet anybody who has studied history, or been alive for the past fifty years and paid attention to what is going on recognizes that yes, America does stand for empire. Do I honestly need to go through the roll call of nations that we've messed with, invaded, and remolded to shape our own desires. One has but to look south of the border.

Just more bullshit, from a president who obviously specializes in bullshit.

[iemitsu]

1. you are absolutely correct madhound.

but we must maintain the fantasy.

[raccoon]

2. If McCain had won in '08, would he had said that? Quite likely, I think. nt

[Bigmack]

3. He certainly speaks better than Dumbya....

but it's the same bullshit.

If we stand not for Empire.... how come we have over 700 bases overseas, a fleet in every ocean and sea, 1.5 million troops with another 1.5 million in reserve, spend more on the military than the rest of the world combined, and are currently involved in two wars and several smaller military adventures thousands of miles from our shores?

[Autumn]

4. Yes he does. But a lot of the words are the

same old tired recycled BS.

[nichomachus]

5. But it's very well-crafted and well-delivered bullshit

Not like that awful George Bush.

[gratuitous]

6. You can have all the self-determination you want

As long as we like it. Sort of like Henry Ford saying you could have your Model T in any color you want, as long as you want black.

[GeorgeGist]

7. Kinda flies in the face of USA's singular role in deciding what's best for everyone.

[Odin2005]

8. It's beltway Newspeak.