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mike_c

(37,064 posts)

44. the term "American exceptionalism" means exactly that...

Wed May 28, 2014, 04:31 PM

May 2014

It does not mean "an exceptional family." It means "rules are for everyone else, we're an exception." It means "there's one standard of behavior for everyone else, and another for Americans." It's disingenuous to suggest that it's benign national pride. American exceptionalism is the doctrine that drone strikes are predicated upon. It's the philosophical underpinning of America's appropriation of much of the worlds resources, and our misuse of the planet-- particularly those parts where other people live-- for personal and corporate profit. It's the central basis for the "ugly American." Economic hit men are products of American exceptionalism. It's also the reason our main export is violence and oppression.

We are not an exceptional family. We're an exception to the rules that govern fair and decent international conduct.

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We did not choose wisely [View all] FiveGoodMen May 2014 OP

"Patriotism is the most foolish of passions and the passion of fools." Schopenhauer Tierra_y_Libertad May 2014 #1

For starters it would be great to have a Congress that walks upright. Whisp May 2014 #5

He's the President, for gawd's sake. Whisp May 2014 #2

THIS IS NOT A COMPANY!!!! We are CITIZENS, AND HE IS NOT OUR BOSS! God, I hate that WinkyDink May 2014 #11

do you really believe that a President is going to diss his own country? Whisp May 2014 #22

Not believing in American Exceptionalism isn't "dissing" anyone tkmorris May 2014 #47

well I expect a President to do that, or at least not be surprised. Whisp May 2014 #63

Really... RobinA May 2014 #114

Thanks for that. I thought I was at Discussionist by error. :) Whisp May 2014 #115

No, but his added "every fiber of my being" is creepy-treacly-hyperbolic. WinkyDink May 2014 #84

+100000000000000 woo me with science May 2014 #97

This is a democracy until there is some official declaration that it is not. Until then we expect sabrina 1 May 2014 #18

I think we call it a democracy..... abakan May 2014 #36

We're a nation not a company or corporation, if we were a corporation Uncle Joe May 2014 #55

an organization, whether a government, corporation or the Toastmasters Club Whisp May 2014 #65

"great big company" woo me with science May 2014 #91

How about honesty and thoughfulness? Too much to ask? TransitJohn May 2014 #92

Obama is thoughtless and dishonest? Whisp May 2014 #94

Well, if he's honest about believing in American Exceptionalism whole-heartedly, he's a conservative TransitJohn May 2014 #99

You spell funny Whisp May 2014 #101

Obviously, then, you win. TransitJohn May 2014 #102

Obviously, than, I do. Whisp May 2014 #107

How much political damage do you think Obama would take or have taken if he didn't claim a belief el_bryanto May 2014 #3

That's the problem. He tries to please everybody all the time. You can't please the 1% and the 99% liberal_at_heart May 2014 #6

That might well be true but that's another discussion el_bryanto May 2014 #8

I believe they would applaud his honesty. You think the 99% doesn't know that their school system liberal_at_heart May 2014 #15

He's speaking at West Point - I guess I just assume that the context of those comments will be el_bryanto May 2014 #21

whomever the audience, American exceptionalism is the kind of egotistical, arrogant liberal_at_heart May 2014 #24

Well that assumes that his view of American Exceptionalism is that we should dominate the world el_bryanto May 2014 #27

the word exceptional is arrogant. We need to be part of the world, not above it. I don't think we liberal_at_heart May 2014 #34

If you were at a neighborhood block party and you heard a father say "I'm proud of my exceptional el_bryanto May 2014 #35

yes I would. liberal_at_heart May 2014 #37

Fair enough then. I'll just say that I look at things differently. nt el_bryanto May 2014 #38

I might be inclined to say Art_from_Ark May 2014 #83

the term "American exceptionalism" means exactly that... mike_c May 2014 #44

Kind of like that opening scene rant for the News Room episode #1. brewens May 2014 #33

You're probably right about that. Most people like to think of themselves as middle class when liberal_at_heart May 2014 #39

+1000000 Jamastiene May 2014 #79

Then why does the 99% elect him President twice? treestar May 2014 #20

Because they are sold a story tech3149 May 2014 #43

So you are insulting the voters by saying they are morons treestar May 2014 #81

I'm not insulting the voters, I'm just stating facts tech3149 May 2014 #85

Then why does the 99% elect him President twice? bvar22 May 2014 #57

Because he is NOT George Bush and never will be. Rex May 2014 #105

While I agree Lee-Lee May 2014 #7

What does American Exceptionalism mean, though? I know it's a dog-whistle for Republicans to say el_bryanto May 2014 #12

Now's the time for POTUS to show some political bravery, for once. TransitJohn May 2014 #93

His isolation from us is now complete Warpy May 2014 #4

Every head of state says their country is the best and is special. That's not the point. stevenleser May 2014 #9

This guy ^^^^ gets it. NT Adrahil May 2014 #96

It's West Point? Blue_Tires May 2014 #10

I really don't believe we get to choose. We vote for whom we are given. Autumn May 2014 #13

We are presented with a list of candidates Jamastiene May 2014 #80

That's a mighty big responsibility you're taking there... blue neen May 2014 #14

Are you taking issue with 'we' or with 'choose wisely'? FiveGoodMen May 2014 #16

Well, freaking go back and get me some Mitt. Skidmore May 2014 #17

I think Big Macs kinda suck tkmorris May 2014 #50

Speak for yourself, please. MineralMan May 2014 #19

I'm sure president Palin would be making us very proud. ucrdem May 2014 #25

Indeed. And then there was Rmoney. MineralMan May 2014 #26

I'd say so. ucrdem May 2014 #32

Who are these people tweeting, and why? ucrdem May 2014 #23

Uncommon Dreams. MineralMan May 2014 #29

They're tweeting the author? ucrdem May 2014 #31

We didn't, but that's been apparent for awhile, alas villager May 2014 #28

I know President Romney certainly thinks so. bigtree May 2014 #30

This. Times a million. nt AverageJoe90 May 2014 #49

I am not sure how Obama was defining "American Exceptionalism . . ." Brigid May 2014 #40

Balderdash with every fiber of my being. GeorgeGist May 2014 #41

Says who? Drunken Irishman May 2014 #42

JESUS CHRIST ON A POGO STICK! MohRokTah May 2014 #45

Fuck American Exceptionalism! whatchamacallit May 2014 #46

"Us"? If you feel someone else can turn you into an asshole, well...okay. Ikonoklast May 2014 #59

"Us" as in what we collectively, as a nation, manifest in the the world whatchamacallit May 2014 #60

Travel outside this country. Ikonoklast May 2014 #73

I travel outside the US frequently whatchamacallit May 2014 #75

Yes. bvar22 May 2014 #61

Good thing I'm not a Black Pot, then. Ikonoklast May 2014 #72

So do I. KamaAina May 2014 #48

Huge K&R. Yes, it has been clear for a very long time that we made a mistake in the 2008 primaries quinnox May 2014 #51

.... Skidmore May 2014 #52

Shocking I know, not everyone thinks Obama's presidency has been the "most progressive in history" quinnox May 2014 #56

She's still not at the top of my list on the next go. Skidmore May 2014 #62

Strange thing to say for a Kenyan... Gidney N Cloyd May 2014 #53

The one line quote in context - pinto May 2014 #54

So is he planning to ratify the Kyoto treaty anytime soon, then? Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #88

I have no info on his plans. pinto May 2014 #90

If the answer to those questions is "no"... Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #110

I think you ought to direct your questions to the Administration, directly. pinto May 2014 #116

Makes all the difference, doesn't it? greatauntoftriplets May 2014 #113

He's no Rand Paul, right Medea?...nt SidDithers May 2014 #58

Just curious Union Scribe May 2014 #64

"just as I suspect the Brits belive in British exceptionalism..." a snipped quote is often misleadin bhikkhu May 2014 #66

I doubt he really believes that....... Swede Atlanta May 2014 #67

I knew exactly who I was voting for-a centrist Democrat. He never claimed to be a progressive icon Rowdyboy May 2014 #68

Would you have liked to vote for a progressive (if the Dems had backed one)? FiveGoodMen May 2014 #69

I've voted for every Democratic nominee since 1976....I'd love a chance to vote for a Democratic Rowdyboy May 2014 #70

I disagree. bvar22 May 2014 #74

I pay very little attention to what any contemporary politician says or promises. Rowdyboy May 2014 #78

No. bvar22 May 2014 #86

Oh, I've made plenty of political mistakes in the past but believing campaign promises is not one Rowdyboy May 2014 #87

So you ARE admitting.. bvar22 May 2014 #95

If my stating the obvious (that Obama campaigned as a "real" Democrat) makes you happy.... Rowdyboy May 2014 #112

Thank you for not tolerating revision of history. woo me with science May 2014 #104

Damn him! Why didn't he give 'em the full Chomsky! Throd May 2014 #71

we don't have much choice when it comes time to vote. m-lekktor May 2014 #76

I know. FiveGoodMen May 2014 #77

So, I take it that you will be working in the primaries MineralMan May 2014 #109

where's my f'n pony! PowerToThePeople May 2014 #82

You don't speak for me. warrior1 May 2014 #89

Obama: The sky is blue. Liberal Veteran May 2014 #98

From the speech: struggle4progress May 2014 #100

Yes we did, what would you have us do? Vote for McCain or Palin? Rex May 2014 #103

I am no Obama supporter, but respectfully, this is weak criticism... Demo_Chris May 2014 #106

I think when people talk American Exceptionalism FiveGoodMen May 2014 #108

Of course, and it's the same way with parties and positions, but Obama is speaking to... Demo_Chris May 2014 #111