Some years back, I penned a column outlining the virtues of imperialism and the colonialist practices of America and European nations in bygone days. Of course, it came under fire by those who charged that this was tantamount to defending slavery or Jim Crow laws in the U.S. My argument was probably the same as that of many pro-colonialists of the period (from the 15th century through the mid-20th century). This consisted of the belief that colonialism was, in addition to being profitable, a better idea than allowing undeveloped societies to advance unchecked, while obtaining just enough knowledge and modern technology to threaten their neighbors.