But entirely believe that it might not land that way for most (?) Americans.
I would have a much easier time with the idea of Star Wars as an interrogation if the Rebellion ever found itself contemplating the ethics of weapons of mass destruction or losing to guerrilla warfare in jungles—since they never are, it reads much more to me like displacing the blame. The Roman echoes of the Republic are much stronger to me than any idea of a Pax Americana.
I'll note the American admiration for (and unease about) rebellions predates our founding--especially around Boston, with puritans having *feelings* about Cromwell, while knowing that they needed to keep their heads down.
I do not argue that the ambivalence was baked in from the start.
no subject
I would have a much easier time with the idea of Star Wars as an interrogation if the Rebellion ever found itself contemplating the ethics of weapons of mass destruction or losing to guerrilla warfare in jungles—since they never are, it reads much more to me like displacing the blame. The Roman echoes of the Republic are much stronger to me than any idea of a Pax Americana.
I'll note the American admiration for (and unease about) rebellions predates our founding--especially around Boston, with puritans having *feelings* about Cromwell, while knowing that they needed to keep their heads down.
I do not argue that the ambivalence was baked in from the start.