Reply #36: Hmmm, yes. Here's my take

[Eloriel]

First, there haven't been THREE American empires. Just one with perhaps different phases.

If you start out with a flawed metaphor like this, the whole thing can ONLY continue to be shakey and, in Will's own words, "fall of its own weight," in between your trying to prop it up with twisted logic and such. (This is how Repugs build their arguments -- forcing things to fit. Don't do it. Abandon that flawed basic premise!)

I confess I didn't read much of it because I found what I've just discussed SO off-putting, but I did notice something about the USA Chant being born at that hockey game, and this being the beginning or birth of --- noooo, don't go THERE, either. Doesn't work, isn't the TRUTH. It's another tortured point forced into place to serve your flawed premise. (And are you confusing nationalism with something else? You don't have to be an empire to exhibit nationalism and vice versa). Further, I'm not even sure your comment (however you phrased it) about that generating the most sentiment for a game of sport is accurate. It's my understanding Sea Biscuit inspired an entire nation. Do you really kno for sure which was bigger?

Not your best work, not even in draft form. Perhaps I should say: not your best THINKING.