Thursday, October 29, 2009
Exceptionalism
Today's standard conservatives always begin with the notion of American exceptionalism, the idea that America stands on a sacred principle and is uniquely blessed by God.
Think about this: when a person considers himself to be exceptional by this definition, he's a psychopath, a jihadi, or a crackhead. If I claim to be uniquely blessed by God, I don't have to listen to any mere mortals; I don't have to take care of anyone around me; I'm free to commit every crime in the world because I'm the right arm of God.
Same deal with a nation. When you have the aura of blessing, you don't need to protect your people, you don't need to preserve your industries, you don't need to follow ordinary logic. It doesn't matter if you're #33 by most objective measurements because you're #1 in the eyes of God.
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In fact the only truly exceptional thing about America is this: We are the only country that consistently, intentionally and knowingly sabotages itself, consistently acts against its own interests. We are the country that specializes in national suicide. ¶ 3:40 PM
Think about this: when a person considers himself to be exceptional by this definition, he's a psychopath, a jihadi, or a crackhead. If I claim to be uniquely blessed by God, I don't have to listen to any mere mortals; I don't have to take care of anyone around me; I'm free to commit every crime in the world because I'm the right arm of God.
Same deal with a nation. When you have the aura of blessing, you don't need to protect your people, you don't need to preserve your industries, you don't need to follow ordinary logic. It doesn't matter if you're #33 by most objective measurements because you're #1 in the eyes of God.
= = = = =
In fact the only truly exceptional thing about America is this: We are the only country that consistently, intentionally and knowingly sabotages itself, consistently acts against its own interests. We are the country that specializes in national suicide. ¶ 3:40 PM
