“If we have to use force,” former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright famously said, “it is because we are America. We are the indispensable nation.” A benign interpretation of that extravagant claim might visualize the country as a shining city on the hill, the very paragon of democracy and freedom; a more realistic assessment sees the US holding itself above international laws—including the use of lethal force, invasion, and occupation—that govern all others.  We’ll consider the role of US imperialism both historically and in the contemporary world over at the incomparable  Pilsen Community Books with the legendary activist/journalist Juan Gonzalez, co-host of Democracy Now! and author of the now classic Harvest of Empire. We are overjoyed that Juan and his partner Lilia Fernandez have recently moved to Chicago—we welcome them and celebrate them.