shall we talk about being naive? just to let you know, and you will scoff because i can tell by your attitude, Pearl Harbor, and Iraq, as I'm sure history books in the future will reveal, were a bunch of bullshit. We're in Iraq for several reasons, none of which are just nor legitimate. What happened to Afghanistan and the "real threat," or what about North Korea? If we are truly fighting for freedom, then why are our interests invested expanding the wealth of a few giant corporations. And pearl Harbor, well, just to let you know, we knew it was coming. There is evidence that proves that while the attacks were imminant we did nothing. And does using Nuclear arms on primarily civilian targets equalize the bombing of a MILITARY FLEET OF SHIPS? I agree that the Japanese were full of shit, and honeslty, I belive that stopping their expansion and their tyrany was important, but sorry pal, we've never fought for someone because we care and we never will. If you really wanna talk history then lets go waaay back, way back. You say we've been around 200 years, 250? great, what about the first civilizations in Mesopotamia 4000 BCE? what about the fact that each dynasty in history from the Babylonians to the romans, has fallen in the same manor. Internal clashes caused by idealogical differences within the society, weakening their strength and allowing for the encrochment and destruction by even weaker less organized nomads outside. Hmm, lets see, so America in all her greatness has existed like all other empires by exploiting whoever she can to expand herself. I agree that we cannot put that on her specifically and deny what every other empire has done, but to consider ourselves in some age of enlightenment where we can look onto history or other societies and make value judgments on their actions, is bullshit. we do the same, we always will, and unfortunately, so will everyone else. However, I belive, that we must take responsibility and to simply shrug our burden off our shoulders by exusing our actions because everyone else has done it is irresponsible and ignorant. We cannot feel like victims because we aren't racist or we didn't have slaves. You dont' even know that you didn't in your family history, I gaurantee you that. The consequcnes of teh actions of OUR people have fucked over a lot of others, and visa versa. We arn't alone in our horrific behaviour but that doesn't mean we don't have to take responsibility for our share. peace.