american exceptionalism is basically the belief that america and her people, through the birthright given to us by our founding fathers, are uniquely qualified to lead the world to peace and prosperity. our country is a place filled with people who have dreams; people that can become successful and go where their passions in life take them. america gives all the equal chance to succeed – who else can say that?
do you believe in the concept of american exceptionalism? i do. i believe americans are the exception to the rule of human nature. barack obama does not.
but to hear obama describe us today during his UN speech you would think we were imperialist thugs deliberately destroying the planet and bullying everyone to serve us and our pet countries alone.
though he gave lip service to freedom of the individual and political rights, his speech was more of the same – that whatever we have done good in the world is simply us trying to right our wrongs.
the general overall tone was ‘america sucks, american exceptionalism is over, the american military is immoral, and you shouldn’t strive toward anything that involves improving yourself’. also thrown in for good measure was some ‘you should work solely for the success of others because that is how you will define your own success’. how zen of him!
obama no longer needs to go overseas to apologize for our ebil, ebil ways. he is ripping and criticizing us on our own soil, inspiring our enemies at the UN to agree with him. you can read the full transcript of obama’s speech today at the UN right here.
to millions and millions around the world we are that city on the hill, the beacon in the storm. what happened to having a president who inspired us and reminded us that our country is the best hope for the world? sadly obama has no idea what hope is. hope is not a empty platitude like ‘yes we can’. hope is realizing that through my own industry and hard work, no door is closed to me. that, obama, is what american exceptionalism is inspite of you.
Jing says: American exceptionalism? Sand Creek. The pre-civil rights south. Me Lei Massacre. Wounded Knee. Abu Graib. Gitmo. Should I go on?
micky says: Yeah Jing, “pre-civil rights” ?
What happened after that ?
You’re a moron if you think those few instances in history and piss ass little examples like Abu Graib are going to make a case against all the freedoms America has instilled over the planet.
I havent heard a word of this speech yet and why am I not surprised ?
Jane says: American exceptionalism is a fantasy and the most elitist, separatist thing I have ever heard of. Why would anyone think we are more special then the Chinese (who have been around for 7 thousand years) or the cradle of civilization, the Middle East??? Egypt? Europe? The arrogance of this is unbelievable and it’s a good thing that Barack does not perpetuate this.
PenniePan says: You didn’t like Obama’s speech??? Color me surprised. I guess being a Republican means never having to say your sorry. For anything.
I loved the speech because as I watched it I just kept thanking Gaya that it wasn’t George W. Bush up there again.
micky says: No Pennie.
Being a republican means not apologizing for the millions weve set free.
Its pretty simple Jane. Pack yer sht and move your butt to those cradles of civilization if they’re so great.
“Gaya”
what is that ? some exceptionlist god ?
lisab says: “Why would anyone think we are more special then the Chinese ”
well … because i have been to china
7,000 years old and still cannot master public toilets
lisab says: or an alphabet for that matter
BikerDan says: Obama’s speech was crap. Just more of the same. This time though he was listening to his inner Nobel Peace prize and speaking as President of the World.
A_Reluctant_Pundit says: Not so BikerDan! As expected, President Obama did a great job with this UN speech. HE is exceptional and stood head and shoulders above other world leaders. The US is back in the business of leading. The 21st century has just begun.
Personally I reject American Exceptionalism because it smacks of elitism and class-ism. It is why the world hates us.
cassiopeia says: How did American exceptionalism even start? Who thought up the phrase? I Googled it and couldn’t find it.
Ken says: “HE is exceptional and stood head and shoulders above other world leaders.”
LOL!! That’s it Pundit, keep rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
Obama cannot give a speech without apologizing for America, its completely ingrained in the dems DNA. They think that if they cower and kiss the rings of tyrants, they’ll “be nice”. It’s such a child like view of the world.
Hey, neo-socialists, look how much Obama’s “exceptional” leadership has gotten us all that help in Afghanistan. The Russians really appreciated Obama scrapping that missile defense system, except the Russians haven’t scrapped their plans for placing missiles near Poland’s borders.
Now he’s pissing all over Israel. Isn’t it funny how he thinks the U.S. doesn’t have the right to tell other countries what they should do…….except Israel.
Swanee says: Actually I am in awe of the absolute arrogance of Barack Obama and the continued ignorance of his followers. His hatred of this country, desire to dismantle it, and create a one-world government oozes from every pore.
Ken says: “I loved the speech because as I watched it I just kept thanking Gaya that it wasn’t George W. Bush up there again.”
I’m sure Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Kim Jong-il, Castro, and Putin feel the exact same way. I wonder why that is? It seems another example of the dems thinking just like our enemies.
PenniePan says: You sound jealous Swanee.
Ken says: “American exceptionalism? Sand Creek. The pre-civil rights south. Me Lei Massacre. Wounded Knee. Abu Graib. Gitmo. Should I go on?”
Oh please, this country has freed more people than any other and is always lined up with billions of dollars of good and help whenever disaster stritkes anywhere in the world. Did anyone say America was perfect? Of course not, can you tell me a country that is?
People from all over the world flood into this country for a chance at freedom and happiness free from persecution.
Sorry folks, this is the greatest country on the planet.
gene says: ghadafi outshone all of ’em. that was hilarious! he is insane.
ken say that line about this country being the greatest on the planet to katrina victims. they’ll knock you sideways to sunday.
Ken says: “they’ll knock you sideways to sunday.”
If they’re like you I don’t have much to worry about.
I’ll gladly say it anywhere to anybody.
gene says: “hope is realizing that through my own industry and hard work, no door is closed to me. that, obama, is what american exceptionalism is inspite of you.”
damn. you sound militant. maybe dangerous.
Ken says: Isn’t it funny how when people accused the dems of hating America they went ballistic. Now they have no problem trashing this country.
I wonder why that is????
micky says: I like the way Pundit takes to bragging about how America is back in the business of leading and then on a dime bashes exceptionalism.
Would one not have to be exceptional amongst others too lead ? Ya cant have it both ways bro.
Gene, Katrina was a failure at a state level and has nothing to do with the quality of governance on national levels, wise up.
Your puny example still doesnt stand up to the fact that both Ken and I mentioned which is that America still takes better care of its own and others far above the rest.
David says: gene said, “ken say that line about this country being the greatest on the planet to katrina victims. they’ll knock you sideways to sunday.”
uh, gene… do you know WHO was in charge of New Orleans and Louisiana during that time? Do you?? That’s right, DEMOCRATS.
Good ‘ol “Chocolate City” Nagin and that lady in the Governor’s mansion. What did THEY do for their immediate constituents? NOTHING of any value, as we saw things play out. Sheesh. You think the FEDERAL government in DC is the FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE against a hurricane in your back yard???
It’s this kind of “depend on the feds” and “what can you do FOR ME” attitude that is weak and unsuccessful.
The government’s not perfect. WE KNOW. But charity (and responsibility) begin AT HOME.
Ginny's_Mom says: Well the UN really showed us all some truth today: thugs, murderers, and heinous dictators all around the world love Obama. Think about that.
Obama’s dismissal of Israeli settlements today calling them “illegitimate” really got to me. He really IS distancing the US from Israel!!!!
Jared says: I thought Obama did ok. He didn’t go far enough on climate change issues for me though. But I hate the UN. Their usefulness was over a long time ago. It’s time for them to find a new host country to sponge off of maybe Libya or Scotland.
lisab says: even scotland has mastered indoor plumbing …
china?
not so much.
lisab says: they do build pretty good walls though.
Fiddle_de_Dee says: l see Beck and Hannity are making racist hay again. I know it scares you republikkkans to death that Obama is the African son even called so by Kaddafi at the big bad U. N.!!! But hang on. You all will be okay because he is also an American son.
Fiddle_de_Dee says: OOPSIE I didn’t finish my comment before I posted HAHAHAHAHAHA
…American son. This flies in the face of any of you birthers that reside here on Righty Lane. It is so clear from reading the comments here and elsewhere that rightwingers just HATE Obama for no good reason other then he is black. You have been so stuck on old white guys as president that you are totally and completely unhinged. When the world’s dictators bow to him do not be afraid. Be proud of Barack Obama! Because it is on this day that he became President of the World.
micky says: certifiable
Rope says: As he said, and listen close fiddle_dumb, he was black before he was president. How do you suppose he got elected? Bingo Mick.
James says: Don’t talk about Obama disrespecting America. When the Tea Baggers and the Town Hall’ers had signs that said “BURY OBAMACARE WITH KENNEDY” and used racist caricature signs and symbols to protest our first black president, that’s when the ignorance and racism of the Republican party lost the moral highground and lost any thinking person from your party.
lisab says: “BURY OBAMACARE WITH KENNEDY”
it says bury obamacare not obama
Ken says: “that’s when the ignorance and racism of the Republican party lost the moral highground and lost any thinking person from your party.”
Yet another democrat spitting up Olbermann talking points. Hey James, where were you when the dems were saying far worse when protesting Bush.
Take your fake outrage over to Daily Kos, they might buy it there.
micky says: “that’s when the ignorance and racism of the Republican party lost the moral highground and lost any thinking person from your party.”
I guess hanging, burning and murdering Palin and Bush in effigy for the last 8 years has made you guys real moral thinkers huh ?
Andrew says: Can any Republican ever own up to their own responsibilities in the faults of our nation….its’s called being an adult and learning from our mistakes….good god, please, for all of us pull your head out of your collective asses and realize once in awhile we all make mistakes…..the ideological rhetoric is pathetic and really unfounded….yes, we have done some great things, but we have also f-up many times over…..no apologies and no excuses is what I expect from the average 13 year old not our leaders….read a history book and get a better perspective….PLEASE!!!!
james wheaton says: American Exceptionalism – I believe that our country was founded on some very noble concepts and the world is better since this country has been around. However, we have some serious skeletons in our closet that convince me that we are a nation of poeple not so different from other nations – at least not so different that we can claim we are special. The very fact that we condoned slavery for as long as we did, and continue to show racist tendencies today testifies as to our “non-specialness” if you will. Many other countries have claimed to be exceptional throughout history – how blind to think we are the “exception” to the rule.
Our way of life is beginning to seriously run counter to what are increasingly worldly issues. Our love affair with unbridled capitalism has contributed greatly to what has become a world-wide economic meltdown. Our unbridled oil industry and other corporations have sufficiently poisoned our international reputation among poorer nations that we find ourselves hated and regarded as imperialists and end up in conflicts like the two Iraq wars. And our insatiable appetite for energy to fuel our bigger than life life style has made us the largest per capita polluter on the planet by far, at a time where is it highly probable that man’s CO2 emissions are causing the planet to warm perhaps eventually catastrophically.
This is not a time to beat our chests as the exception, and therefore leave us the hell alone to do as we please (this is what modern American exceptionalism is in my opinion). This is a time to use our strength to lead the world in solving so many of our planet-level problems.
Is that so hard to understand?
“Many other countries have claimed to be exceptional throughout history – how blind to think we are the “exception” to the rule.”
We are the exception and have been wiothout a doubt James.
Never mind the unintended benefits of the civil war lets just look back as far as the civil rights movements of the 60s and try to find any country that boasts as many civil freedoms as we do, you’re way off.
“Our love affair with unbridled capitalism has contributed greatly to what has become a world-wide economic meltdown. ”
Oh bullsh*t.
Therse so many countries that could use a good dose of “unbridled capitalism” right now its not even funny.
“This is a time to use our strength to lead the world in solving so many of our planet-level problems.”
Which has always been done by assisting these countries in establishing free trade markets much like ours.
Your bitching is much to do about nothing and your depreciation of all the wonderful things we do as the worlds savior is disgusting
Ken says: “good god, please, for all of us pull your head out of your collective asses and realize once in awhile we all make mistakes”
I didn’t realize that anyone claimed that we NEVER made mistakes. There’s a difference between admitting we made mistakes and trotting all over the globe apologizing to anyone who will listen to any real or perceived slight. Get it?
“the ideological rhetoric is pathetic and really unfounded”
Much like your post.
“no apologies and no excuses is what I expect from the average 13 year old not our leaders”
And apologizing as an official foreign policy is what I would expect from the typical clueless, out of touch with reality, ignorant appeaser, not the president.
“read a history book and get a better perspective”
Indeed, because as we all know appeasement has always worked so well. What was it you said about reading a history book, Andrew?
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