Debate Nov 16: Conservatives Should Embrace Empire

The John Adams Society

Todd E Pierce, Chairman
Christopher Phelan, Secretary
Marianne S Beck, Chief Whip
Meriwether Robert Engberg, Chancellor

November 16, 2005

"Is America a weakling, to shrink from the work of the great world powers? No! The young giant of the West stands on a continent and clasps the crest of an ocean in either hand. Our nation, glorious in youth and strength, looks into the future with eager eyes and rejoices as a strong man to run a race." - Theodore Roosevelt.

THE WORLD HAS SHRUNK. The vast oceans protecting us from barbarian hordes have become small puddles. Thus the cesspools beyond our borders are no longer beyond our concerns. For our own sake, the world needs to be civilized and we are the only ones who can do it.

And we will do both good and well in such an endeavor. Good, because the American ideals of freedom and capitalism are universal and have done more the common man than any ideas for organizing society that preceding them. Well, because a developed world can offer us trade and friendship rather than dependence and conflict.

ON THE OTHER HAND, overextension has been the death of many a great civilization. We can not and should not police the world. We are simply too few. We can wish our friends well and punish those who directly attack us, but beyond that, we have limited options. A world where we can bring freedom, happiness, and inexpensive cheeseburgers would be nice, but is, unfortunately, not the one we live in.

THE CHAIRMAN, no stranger to Napoleonic methods himself, has called for a debate to settle the question:

RESOLVED: CONSERVATIVES SHOULD EMBRACE EMPIRE.

The Debate will be held on Wednesday November 16, 2005 at the Pool & Yacht Club, 1600 Lilydale Road, Lilydale MN. (Click Here for an interactive map to the location.). The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o'clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. While there is no dress code for attendance, gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies should adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen who arrive tieless yet wish to speak, fret not: the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand at least one of his quite remarkable ties for just such an eventuality. Questions about debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (952) 937-7630 or the Secretary at (612) 204-5615.

www.johnadamssociety.org