This article on openDemocracy.net, hits a lot of nails on the head towards furthering our great need to seal off and bury our coffin of un-manicured and ineffective dissent, debate, and criticism of the past four years and year of presidential campaigns.
I think we all could learn a lot from the nuggets of truth in this essay. While I've been very critical of the current administration's policies and response to the attacks of 9/11, I've also been very dissatisfied with the innate hypocrisy in anti-American sentiment.
How does one justify lashing out at American values and ideals when one has the freedom to do exactly that?
We should dissent and we should pay attention to what OUR government and elected officials are doing. When we disagree we should ask our government to stop doing whatever it is doing, or is not doing; however, we cannot be against the ideals of America for it strikes me that it is those very ideals that allow us to stand against our ideals. American ideals and America is not one frame of mind or understanding, they and it is ever-evolving. Malleability lies at the very nature of the greatness of our pursuit.
Anyways, this essay, if not my foggy regurgitation, is very thought provoking and I hope you'll humor me and read it through. I'd love to hear your feedback.
I agree with your comments. People around the world are quick to point out USA's shortcoming. I believe that this country is the most generous and kind country toward the world. We are always the first one to help out other places when they need aids. Of course, we are not perfect, neither are the other countries. The Bush's administration may not be as civil as he should, but overall, our country is still a good neighbor.