tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538186867576403896.post3443333828730280150..comments2023-11-02T02:31:45.015-05:00Comments on Banned And Dangerous Ministries!: *The Level of Self Hatred In Some People Is AmazingMr. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09579584580534433342noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538186867576403896.post-83019711153544079782008-12-10T02:01:00.000-06:002008-12-10T02:01:00.000-06:00OK, so...ET Daughter is 14, and she has a way of m...OK, so...ET Daughter is 14, and she has a way of making these pronouncements which equate to some variation or other on "I'm so marvelous." She does this with a joking air but we feel we have to remind her from time to time that it comes off as kind of obnoxious and self-aggrandizing when over-used, and not to put on that attitude with peers, teachers, or guests.<BR/><BR/>It's those moments I think of when I hear that phrase "American exceptionalism." (Disclaimer: though I live abroad, I am still American.) <BR/><BR/>Yes, it's a country born from different circumstances than almost any other country on the planet. Americans have every right to be proud of the USA, just as Swedes should take pride in Sweden, Egyptians in Egypt, and so on. But national pride shouldn't equate to chest-puffing assertions of blanket superiority to [everything], which is largely what the RW pundits mean when they use the phrase.<BR/><BR/>In the annals of history, America is still a lot like my 14-year-old, and has more grown-up levels of national pride still to move toward. I hope for a day when it's possible to be proud without having to sing the Barney "you are special" song so loudly and long all the time.<BR/><BR/>And don't get me <B>started</B> on the notion that Sarah Palin is or should be the standard-bearer for "American exceptionalism." That would give the label "special" a completely different meaning...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538186867576403896.post-86548192467197582602008-12-09T18:08:00.000-06:002008-12-09T18:08:00.000-06:00Thank you for posting this Jonathan.Thank you for posting this Jonathan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com