"Gold is the money of kings, silver is the money of gentlemen, barter is the money of peasants - but debt is the money of slaves."
Norm Franz, Money and Wealth in the New Millenium
Every empire in its official discourse has said it is not like the others, that its circumstances are special, that it has a mission to enlighten, civilize, bring order and democracy, and that it uses force only as a last resort. And, sadder still, there always is a chorus of willing intellectuals to say calming words about benign or altruistic empires, as if one shouldn't one's eyes watching the destruction and the misery and death brought by the latest 'mission civilisatrice.' Edward W. Said