Hi Jerry, you wrote: > Interestingly, that is a conservative, not liberal, axiom.
I've always regarded it as a somewhat tradtional/historical American axiom. The founders of the country philosophically were not keen on "foreign involvements." But it can also be considered conservative in the sense that it is a sort of traditionally cultural American bent. Historically, we had to be dragged into most wars. However, I only put forth the isolationist feeling among myself and my friends as just a knee-jerk reaction to the America bashers and not as a consistent ideology. Some get to the point where they hear so much that other countries want the U.S. to butt out and then they blame the U.S. for all their troubles, that it's kind of a natural reaction to say, "O.K. let's leave them all alone, then." >One of the loudest voices opposing our involvement in Iraq is Pat Buchanan. He can hardly be > considered a "lefty." I consider Buchanan a complete statist idealogue and that is why he has always disturbed and turned me off. I think he lives on another planet sometimes! > The traditional Isolationists in American History have been conservative. That is true - nearly all the engagements of Americans in the wars of the 20th century were initiated by Liberals, not Republicans. But recall that Churchill was a Conservative, too. > Even to the point of accusing President Roosevelt of orchestrating the attack on Pearl Harbor to get us into > World War Two. I have heard the stories that he knew of intelligence before the attack and did nothing to avert it but I don't pass much judgment on that. In the case of WWII I firmly believe it was right for Americans to participate. Interestingly I happened to read an article by Christopher Hitchens today where he accused Churchill of making deals with the Japanese and Germans to attack the U.S. so that the U.S. would have to become involved. Kind of wild. >That said, there is a difference between being Anti-war and Isolationism. What do you think it is? I think both stances are concerned with wanting peace and self-preservation and not aggravating situations. Kakki
