>>>>>>You don't agree there is an American empire then?
>>>>>
>>>>>Correct.
>>>>
>>>>So why do you think there are US armed forces distributed all over the world. I think its a projection of power and while altruism may be a factor its not the main one.
>>>
>>>And that is exactly my point - projection of power for non-altruistic reasons is not the definition of empire or imperialism.
>>
>>Isn't that semantics. By using economic and military power to control or influence other countries you have implicitly become imperial. But how would you define what the USA is today.
>
>Protecting everyone's backsides???? :o)

And why are you doing that ?