> http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2008/08/the_limits_of_bluster.php#comment-608408
>
> No one blew it. Playing the Great Game (and often losing) is far
> superior to not playing. Enabling, stoking, inflating, and simply
> declaring national security crises is deeply gratifying for
> nationalist-imperialist-authoritarian politicians and their large
> and influential intellectual and industrial clique. It
> legitimizes the national security state. It makes "Very Serious
> People" indulge in their "Very Seriousness".
>
> <end excerpt>
>
> The penultimate line is the most depressing -- creating crises may in fact
> be good for imperialism.
>
> And the ultimate line applies all too well to your wonderful roundup of
> dumbass opinion that started this thread off.
>
> Michael
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Charles Tilly, call your office.......