The title is culled from "77 North Washington Street", Michael Kelly's message in the October 2001 Atlantic Monthly.
It refers to the idea that the United States currently perpetuates-- a kind of Pax Americana, if you will-- of a world power that doesn't believe in raping, pillaging, and subjugating anymore. With every action it seems to be begging to be thought of as a kinder, gentler Empire, a Rome without the legions burning villages. Instead, it gains its wealth through global commerce-- hence the name of the node.