Do You Believe in American Exceptionalism?

[Cosmo BG]

Give me a break. "Exceptional" by definition signifies comparison with similar things. America has its flaws, of course, but it is the greatest country on earth and the economic and civil success we have achieved in a mere ~250 years is exceptional by all but the most deliberately obtuse standards.

And no, I wouldn't say that "all Americans who've chosen not to move out are exceptionalists," because many people cannot afford or are otherwise unable to move to another country. Certainly moving to Australia is not an option available to most people.

 

[Cosmo BG]

One thing that has been clearly established by this thread is that everyone has different definitions of "American exceptionalism." Makes it kind of hard to say whether one believes in it or not.

I don't know who or what the AEL is, so I can't speak to their beliefs except to say that I don't agree.

 

[iddo]

Would somebody que the Darth Vader Music for that first photo....

Bill Kristol would: "I was always on Darth Vader's side, even when I saw the movie. And I'm sticking with him." (link)

Any comments on the quotes that I've been collecting on wikiquote?
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/American_benevolence

 

[Cowlesy]

Bill Kristol would: "I was always on Darth Vader's side, even when I saw the movie. And I'm sticking with him." (link)

Any comments on the quotes that I've been collecting on wikiquote?
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/American_benevolence

Hah -- win on the Bill Kristol quote.

His father, Irving, was big about "Moral Authority," in that we have the Moral Authority to do what is right for democracy around the world.

 

[Gaius1981]

Bill Whittle of PJTV present the proof of American Exceptionalism perfectly. It fully starts at 1:40.
http://www.pjtv.com/?cmd=video&video-id=2378

 

[clb09]

Perhaps American Exceptionalism is a neoconservative concept?

YouTube - Dick Cheney: Obama Does Not Share That Belief of American Exceptionalism

YouTube - Liz Cheney of Keep America Safe Discusses China, Afghanistan & American Exceptionalism

 

[WaltM]

Perhaps American Exceptionalism is a neoconservative concept?

No it isn't, like I said above, it's much like Manifest Destiny, or "Divine Command".

Justification by religious or nationalist beliefs.

Neoconservatism, just like imperialism, theocracy, Islamism are compatible with Exceptionalism.

For how Neoconservativism & Islamism parallel, I recommend the film "The Power of Nightmares"

 

[Dreamofunity]

I like our countries ideals more so than most, but have you ever had thai food? Thailand is definitely more exceptional in the food category than the U.S.

 

[WaltM]

I like our countries ideals more so than most, but have you ever had thai food? Thailand is definitely more exceptional in the food category than the U.S.

preference, unique is different than exceptionalism

 

[BlackTerrel]

There's a reason so many more people immigrate here then emigrate away. We're not perfect - but we're pretty fucking awesome and I'd rather live here than anywhere else.

 

[Dieseler]

Do You Believe in American Exceptionalism?

Only when backed by the worlds Central banks.
When that fails, all bets are off as some other Country will be exceptional then.
Victorious as well. The illusion is unbreakable.

 

[WaltM]

Only when backed by the worlds Central banks.
When that fails, all bets are off as some other Country will be exceptional then.
Victorious as well. The illusion is unbreakable.

that's exactly what exceptionalism IS, faith and loyalty to your country & government regardless (or without exception) of it's decisions, consequences and the outside's views on it.

 

[Dieseler]

Reminds me of the, "What got us out of the depression thread".
Given three guesses, the first two would not count.

 

[Promontorium]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism

That was my last ship! And from the date, seems that photo was taken only a couple months after I left.

 

[Met Income]

America was perfect until they let all them damn immigrants in!

 

[Met Income]

There's a reason so many more people immigrate here then emigrate away. We're not perfect - but we're pretty fucking awesome and I'd rather live here than anywhere else.

because we're relatively freer. (Although, that is steadily decreasing along with our prosperity). And we are by no means free. Being the smartest kid in special ed is nothing to be proud of.

Nationalism is a religion and the nation is a false god.

 

[Met Income]

Preposterous.

Sentiments like that are what make the Liberty movement a laughingstock among some folks.

Ask an Iraqi or Afghani if we are tyrannous or not.

 

[TheEvilDetector]

"The bigger they are, the harder they fall."

That about sums it up.

 

[BlackTerrel]

because we're relatively freer. (Although, that is steadily decreasing along with our prosperity). And we are by no means free. Being the smartest kid in special ed is nothing to be proud of.

Nationalism is a religion and the nation is a false god.

Only if you're comparing the earth to special ed. We're still the best country on earth - we can be proud of that - while acknowledging that we have a lot of flaws and can do better.

Anywhere you'd rather live?

 

[Todd]

By any reasonably objective standard, America is an exceptional nation.

I am hardly a warmonger or imperialist.

Are we exceptional. In the sense that our founders created the first nation based on the principle of individual liberty...a dynamic achievement. Yes...

But guys like the above have taken that to mean that it should be the ultimate achievement globally.

Others have taken that to mean - by force if necessary.