Quote:
Originally posted by playa_playa
To be honest, it's neither refreshing nor original. I understand that in the midst of all the anti-America sentiments, an essay written in praise of America not coming from an American could seem like the greatest thing since the invention of the wheelbarrow. But this article's mindless praise of America and the ideals that America stands for is simply being trivialized by the overly sycophantic and subordinate tone.
Put it in perspective, this article's backbone for all the praise is the fact that America withstood one of the greatest tragedies - in the article's view - in the history of mankind and that it took all the actions proper and did so democratically. That's swell. Except for the fact that these "democratic" actions are what's proper and essential in a democracy. Had America not taken the actions that it did in the manner it did (which is still up for debate; not to mention the expediency with which it was executed keeping in mind that Al-Qaida has not been thwarted nor Osama Bin Laden apprehended, or lack thereof), we should be properly criticized for it. The moment we take things that we must reasonably do as something to be praised, we begin to lose our position in ensuring that the country remains a faithful manifestation of its intents.
Of course, that's not to say that doing what's reasonable does not deserve a praise. Of course it does. However, such a praise in the sense that the writer of this article delineates:
"So a few al-Qaeda tourists got locked without a trial n Camp X-ray? Pass the Kleenex... So some Afghan wedding receptions were shot up after they merrily fired their semi-automatics in a sky full of American planes? A shame, but maybe next time they should stick to confetti."
A praise like this is disturbing. Both disturbing and corrupting. If the writer were basing his praise on the fact that we behaved how a democracy should behave, why is he making a disobediance of the dictates of the international rights of man trivial? Is it because we have, as he puts it "suffered an abomination," and they have not? So in his words, suffering a big injustice should be an excuse for inflicting smaller injustices?
Before anyone gets the wrong impression, I love America and the ideals it stands for. And it is because I love America that I try to veer away from corrupting, sycophantic praises like these that only serve to gain popular support.
"I love my country too much to be an ultranationalist"
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1) Using large words doesn't make you sound intelligent when what you are saying lacks any facts to back it up.
2) The writer never said that America never made any mistakes. Of course we do, but when America makes mistakes it is because they are actually trying to make the world a better place to live. Its very easy to criticize a country for making mistakes, when other countries don't make any simply because they don't do anything.
3) America has done far more good than bad in history, despite what negative self-hating pseudo-intellectuals like to say. Has America also acted in its own best interests? Of course, why should we be held so far above any other country in the world. The fact of the matter is that most of the time what is in our best interest is in the best interest of world democracy and freedom.
4) I notice you have quoted the most negative part of the article to defend your statements. How even handed. You would almost think that nothing of value was said in the article by reading your post.
We cannot "save" everyone, but we can do the best that we can with what we have, and we do.