collected writings

Go USA!

I got an email a while ago that I think, in light of recent crisis situations across the world, needs to be shared. The words in the email are attributed to Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television commentator from Toronto.

The fact that he is Canadian is important, because the email is essentially a defense of the United States in the international setting. America does take a lot of crap in world politics, what with the WTO and human civil rights, NATO and the supposed use of our military might to open up markets for capitalism (which is not necessarily a false accusation, but not necessarily a bad thing either), and the colonization of American popular culture elsewhere.

Even in domestic affairs, like the recent election snafu and particularly the Clinton impeachment process, the United States tends to be ridiculed by other countries.

Here I quote from Sinclair, "[I think that] it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts."

"When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring [last year], 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped."

No, I am not xenophobic, and I am not an isolationist. Isolationism, in fact, is dead and buried in a world where I can talk to someone, in London, in half a second via email, and be there in person in half a day. But I do think that Sinclair has a point in that America does not get the respect it deserves.

Something like a global thank you card is in order. Starting with World War I, our country's first real entrance into international politics, and leading up through the modern era.

Sinclair goes on to say, "None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States. When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled in the streets of Paris. [The McDonald's riot of last summer or countless other similar events]"

No, I'm not saying that the United States should stop giving humanitarian aid until it starts to get some respect.

Personally, I think that charitable donations, whether time, money, or both, should be left up to the individual, just as every decision should be left up to the individual at all costs (it's the libertarian in me).

Nevertheless, I also think that the United States cannot afford to glance over world disasters and crises and go along its merry little way.

I say, with no small amount of pride, that we are living in the greatest age so far, in the greatest nation yet to grace the world. However, history has taught me that no matter how great we are right now, nothing lasts forever, and the United States will eventually fall. All the more reason to enjoy and respect it now.

I have know many people who say, longingly, after watching a period film that takes place in, let's say, 18 th century Europe, that they were born in the wrong era. How they wish they could have lived somewhere else, in some other time.

Not me, though. I like living now , and I like living here , and know that I would rather stay here, in this country, than live in any other previous time in history.

While having this same discussion with a friend, she sighed, "Yeah, but, look at how they dressed. Look at how they talked." Yes, but look at how we dress, and how we talk.

We have the most freedom, both socially and biologically, now, in the United States, than humans have ever had. That is a very exciting prospect. Use it and respect it.

Remember, respect starts at home. Be proud of where you live, starting in Bozeman, Montana, or wherever, and work your way outwards. And demand respect from others.