In Strasbourg yesterday, the president was asked about American exceptionalism. "I believe in American exceptionalism," he began, "just as I suspect the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism." Leaving aside that we Greeks believe our exceptionalism to be exceptional and exceptionally old, the president's answer was masterful as he went on to talk about America's core set of values, quickly pivoting to the need to recognize "that we're not always going to be right" and "that other people may have good ideas." So basically, yes, we are exceptional -- when we live up to our exceptional values. It's going to take a while to repair America's reputation -- and thus its ability to lead in the world -- but in Europe this week, Obama made an exceptional start.
Shouldn't all the headlines be screaming "Iran has illicit nuclear weapons program"?
Am I the only one that heard it? ... because we're talking NEWS... unless it's not true.
I'm not seeing any mention of it anywhere.
We are not sui generis. The greatest generation also came to age when the US worked with other countries to defeat fascism and helped rebuilt Europe with the Marshall Plan.
Many of our best and brightest in science and the arts have been and are from immigrants, like Jews and Asians, who in spite of prejudice, found a more welcoming environment (at least in the Northeast and California) than in much of the rest of the world.
We have been and continue to be a work in progress. Our election of Obama shows the best angels in our country sometimes comes through.
Does anyone know why we are seeing such has-beans, such as David Frum and Newt Gingrich, now making the Sunday morning talk circuit? Is it a matter of economy in that these guys come cheap? Why would anyone consider a neocon wordsmith such as Frum important for the American dialog? His great claim to fame is putting words, such as Axis of Evil, into Bush's mouth. Shouldn't he be boycotted by serious media?
President Obama has already turned the world on its ear by announcing that we (America) will "Listen, not lecture". Already a huge departure. Some things are a truism. The most important being that the world cannot accept a nuclear Iran. period. You may as well have said that Bush breathed air. And because Obama breathes air, he is continuing the Bush policy of breathing air.
American leadership includes many examples, both good and bad. A nation's leadership litmus test is how it protects what is good and corrects what is lacking. The best way to "lead" is by example, not rhetoric. As Lao-tzu said, "That leader is best when the goal is achieved, the people say, 'We did it ourselves.'"