Open Thread

legion- whose posts are your reading? Are you in an alternate universe? What does what I said have to do with presidential elections or the peaceful transfer of power? And for the record we aren’t the only country that does this- how about England, Israel, France, Denmark and a host of others? Please, use some logic.

dibs- I hear them. They’re not hungry- they’re meowing their agreement with me.

Oh Legion please, you are engaging in your usual selected comprehension again, not to mention putting words in my mouth.

To quote myself – “It’s not that Americans haven’t done exceptional things, or aren’t great as a people, or don’t have a wonderful free society, good laws, etc, etc. We do, and America is a unique and wonderful place.”

So how can you read that and then say “it (my statement) denies the idea that the United States has accomplished exceptional things during its history, something which is clearly at odds with know history.”

What part of my statement didn’t you get?

And now I’m insidious? “Second, and perhaps more insidious in its sentiment is the statement that there is an “overweening arrogance and supreme confidence” in the idea that citizens of a given nation could express an approval of their nation’s core value system.”

You took my quote right out of context and ascribed you own meaning on it. One cannot have a discussion or even a good debate if you’re going to take everything I say out of context, twist it around, and then make statements like this, “These notions of a vague moral equivalence or a relativistic sense of right and wrong only serve to allow true evil to flourish in the world.” Really, how dare you.

Cgar- actually that’s benson’s modus operandi.

Legion- Mm said no such thing and you have totally misinterpreted what she is saying. She never ever said this country has not done great things- in fact she specifiically says it has.

As far as good vs evil- recalling our discussions of the Iraq war, who are you to decide what is an evil or what is a good deed? You think it’s cut and dry? I only wish it were but that is not because I have a relativistic moral code, but because I have a better understanding of human nature and history. In fact ask the Iraqis how good we are and the answer will surprise you, since you seem to think we own the universal good. Good for us is not the same thing as good for everyone.

Lastly, it isn’t self-flagellation- it’s self awareness. Once you lose the ability to question yourself and your action, you lose the ability to assess right and wrong. Blindness is no substitute for ethics.

I suggest you go back and read what I quoted from Carl Schurz at 12:57.