"Well, first off, to be fair to the author: "and even as a child you grasped the mortal stakes of the conflict with Joseph Stalin and were not wrong." "
She's refering to the mortal stakes yes? The Cold War was only moments away from becoming hot, and we're talking thermonuclear temperatures. Everyone knew the mortal stakes.
"American nationalists such as Harry Truman who dropped two atomic bombs on Japan???"
Firstly, noone understood nuclear fallout, nor knew the long lasting effects of such a weapon. His knowledge was limited to the destructive yield of the weapon. . .So why did he use it? Well, because certain military personnel amongst the Germans and Japanese were stockpiling munitions and gold so, after an appropriate period of supposed 'peace' the war could once more be resumed. We intercepted messages from the Enigma channels which hinted towards such a resurgance conspiracy and Truman felt that he needed to make his point clear: The war was too costly to continue, and was now at an end. The Japanese were a little slow to respond so we made the point a second time. I, personally, feel no sympthy for them after having read the atrocities comitted by the Imperial Army during the Pacific Threatre war.
"I know all the arguments that "nationalists" such as these tell themselves to justify large body counts, but that's just the point. Stalin justified madness, brutality, and genocide through the theory of perpetual revolution, constant strife, constant disorder. Nothing the United States has EVER done is as bad as Joseph Stalin, but I think you're missing the point of the article."
No I am not, I simply remember Aesop's fable concerning the Ash Sapling. I'm not willing to conceed what I know to be true, though it produces some contention, in order to get along with others.
"When you are born an American, you have it pounded in to you that you come from a land that can do no wrong, or if anything, merely "outgrows" her mistakes."
I don't know much about the East Coast philosophy, but my experiences contrast that sharply. In truth, I remember my first lesson in American Mistakes coming in first grade when we examined the first fifty years of Mass. as a pilgrim colony. From then til now, I understood that while this country was created to abide by ideals which transcend human inclinations, it was up to able Statesmen to ensure this country stayed on course. . .But Statesmen fail and sometimes fall blind.
"I submit to you pundit Ann Coulter, who despite her lunacy has developed quite a fan following in this country."
So did Michael Moore, popularity is not a sign of acceptance: Criticism can inspire followings too.
"A great man, a war hero, etc. This is revisionist, it's dangerous, and it's just one example of how introspection has often been a difficult task for America and Americans."
Three years after his accusation against the State Department McCarthy died a broken alchoholic. Largely, it's well known that his entire speech was altered hours before delivery because he was informed that he could grab greater headlines. . .While I believe there was some truth to his statements, I don't believe he was aware of it, and his clumsy handling was more harmful than the threat itself.
"Now you can say that every nation is the same, which is most certainly true, however not my problem."
I disagree entirely. Every nation is unique, they simply utilize similar means.
"It has NEVER been the actions of those who found this place to be in fallible that has made this place great."
Maybe I'll be a first
But in al seriousness, duly noted. Archie Bunker clones have not in any way shaped this country beneficially.
"Progress and stagnation have always been in competition here, and the rallying call of the latter has always been things such as values, "nationalism," tradition, and patriotism."
Oh? I do wonder what our ForeFathers would make of that statement.
"And as for "American Socialism," well, the interesting thing, if you go back and look at the platforms of a lot of the old Socialist candidates, you'd see that a lot of what they stood for has now become accepted."
For better and for worse. Goldwater was for allowing gays in the military back in the sixties, while many were still in the closet. Being Conservative does not bar one from also thinking progressively. Embracing the Constitution does not make one stagnant, but by all means, if you believe yourself smarter than the past generations of Americans who settled and tamed this land, I'll do nothing to try and change your mind. I have a bit of a mad ego myself.
"Haven't you in fact made this very same argument to me in the past, Ror? Despite the fact that crime dropped throughout the 90s, clearly, compared to 1850, America seems to be a more dangerous place, right? I could've sworn you made this same argument."
Similar but subtly different. Violence within our society is a symptom, not the disease.
"Well, uhhh, the war ended. Would you like them to keep protesting???"
If their cause is just, I would say they are duty bound to educate the populace on Bush's misdeeds. I continue to see the war as an inevtiable one, and so long as some stability and, a-hem, 'creeping socialism' to use your phrase, are implimented, I will count the blunders of the President a small price to pay. It's all about the progeny.
"The protests seen here and around the world shattered past records, btw."
Not because of enlightenment or interested, but the communications infrastructure we possess and the liberty of the media. I'm quite sure that had these capaibility been emplaced in 1902, there would have been equally strong criticism against Germany for the attempted invasion of So. America.
I just woke up, and I haven't looked for typoes. Please forgive any you find. I'm going to crawl back to bed now.
Linear Mode
