Eugene Robinson: Yes, Vladimir, America is exceptional

[ProSense]

Yes, Vladimir, America is exceptional

By Eugene Robinson

As I read Vladimir Putin’s sanctimonious op-edabout U.S. policy in Syria, I imagined the Russian president sitting at the keyboard in a lovely pink negligee.

You will recall that when a satirical painting of Putin in lingerie went on display last month in St. Petersburg, police seized the offending artwork and shut down the exhibit. The artist, Konstantin Altunin, fled the country and is seeking asylum in France. No doubt he wanted to avoid the fate of the punk rock group Pussy Riot, three of whose members were arrested and sentenced to years in prison for an anti-Putin performance in a Moscow cathedral.

So when Putin tries to lecture “the American people and their political leaders” from a position of moral superiority, no one on earth can take him seriously. As for Syria, the sinister and barbarous government of dictator Bashar al-Assad would not last one week without the military hardware that Russia generously provides. Putin thus has the blood of tens of thousands of civilians on his hands.

<...>

If this sounds like a big change in Obama’s worldview, you’ve been paying too much attention to the right-wing echo chamber — and not enough to what Obama actually says and does.

It is an article of faith among Obama’s critics that he believes the United States is just a regular country, no better or worse than others, and that, accordingly, he seeks to abdicate any leadership role in the world. Where do these critics get such an idea? From their own fevered imaginations, mostly.

- more -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/yes-vladimir-america-is-exceptional/2013/09/12/4b234320-1be2-11e3-a628-7e6dde8f889d_story.html

[kelliekat44]

1. Great peice!! nt

[Pretzel_Warrior]

2. Americans circling the wagons on Vlad the Inhaler

[NYC_SKP]

3. This painting?

Yes, Putin is, well, a joke and much worse.

[madrchsod]

4. mr robinson is right on this issue

even with all it`s faults america is exceptional.

[AtheistCrusader]

18. Disagree. We aren't even CLOSE to leading the world on human rights in this category.

Better than Russia, but we lag, severely. Not just on laws, but mostly in culture itself.

Here in the PacNW is pretty good, but there are whole swaths of the country....

[uponit7771]

5. Mr Robinson, I disagree with playing with words... American Exceptionalism = American supremacy not

...Americans being good moral people or people who are generally the best or people who kick ass daily....

and you know that.

[polichick]

7. Agreed. I love Eugene, but he is playing here.

[polichick]

6. One of my favorite Obama quotes:

“I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism.”

Generally, the idea of American exceptionalism seems silly to me - and not very helpful when it comes to foreign relations.

[cui bono]

11. I agree. It makes me ill to hear people proclaim it knowing how we keep sinking in education.

health, poverty, you name it. We are not where we should be compared to other first world countries considering the supposed wealth of this country.

And yes, how do you have talks with other nations when you keep saying we're exceptional? Who wants to deal with that?

[polichick]

21. All that sinking is finally waking a few people up...

There's not quite as much chest-beating as there used to be.

[cui bono]

29. I guess the few that still are doing it are ratcheting up their game,

at least on here anyway. This place has exploded with insanity the last week.

[ProSense]

22. Yes, that's a good quote. n/t

[Cha]

8. Vladimir's "santimonious" bull tripe is right!

You will recall that when a satirical painting of Putin in lingerie went on display last month in St. Petersburg, police seized the offending artwork and shut down the exhibit. The artist, Konstantin Altunin, fled the country and is seeking asylum in France. No doubt he wanted to avoid the fate of the punk rock group Pussy Riot, three of whose members were arrested and sentenced to years in prison for an anti-Putin performance in a Moscow cathedral.

So when Putin tries to lecture “the American people and their political leaders” from a position of moral superiority, no one on earth can take him seriously. As for Syria, the sinister and barbarous government of dictator Bashar al-Assad would not last one week without the military hardware that Russia generously provides. Putin thus has the blood of tens of thousands of civilians on his hands..

Thanks to Eugene Robinson

thank you, ProSense

[MADem]

9. I think Americans are pretty damned exceptional, myself, and I think with all its faults, America is

a very exceptional place.

It's strong because it's not limited. It's the only country in the world, pretty much, where ANYONE can say, regardless of color, accent, or other clothing or other identifiers, "I am an American" and they run little risk of hearing "How is that possible?" "No way!" "Really?" or "Bullshit!"

We're strong because, trite as it sounds, we are the doggone world. And we're a grand experiment, still.

I've lived in many countries, and while USA has faults, it's a great place to live. I wouldn't want to have to trade my US citizenship to be a citizen of any other country.

[matt in france]

20. you really think that?...

as if we have not had plenty of immigration in western europe

you can say "i am belgian, I am dutch, I am french, i am british etc....no matter your accent or color... i say im french with my american accent and people dont say really or no way or bullshit

[MADem]

24. Please--do not pretend ANY of those countries are free of racial and

cultural tension that make USA look like Happy Harmony Heaven in comparison. Le Pen didn't get a sizable percentage of the vote because there's a Kumbayah spirit in play in France.

My good friend who moved to France, had children there, and has gone through Le Divorce but stays for the children, will always be a stranger in a strange land, simply by virtue of color. And his French is fluent, but his accent gives him away even on the phone.

He's not stupid, he knows he is treated differently. He is employed, he has some money, so he has a better circumstance than some, but he's often mistaken for someone of Algerian heritage, and that sometimes doesn't go well for him in terms of the way he is addressed or treated.

[matt in france]

46. french people treat everyone like shit

even other french people....
i went through what your friend went through divorce and all...

the u.k. does a far better job than france or the usa on race relations in my opinion

also Marine Lepen got lots of votes from nationalists...racists vote for all parties LePen was the only one who wanted to get france out of the eu and the euro zone....im going to see her give a speech on sunday in marseille. her party. the fn. is farther left than the democrats economically

[MADem]

47. Even in UK you do not want to be the wrong shade in some parts of town.

And the English Defence League is making life very difficult for some people who are a bit duskier than the pale eyed and rosy cheeked paradigm.

Marine Lepen is an horrific racist....like her paw. She couches it in sweeter terms (reduce not eliminate immigration) but she's nasty -- she also has shit views on equality and choice. Not a nice woman at all.

[MADem]

53. All you have to do is read their platform. They're disgusting.

And so is their leadership:

http://www.france24.com/en/20130601-france-marine-le-pen-racism-charges

How you can call an anti-choice, anti-Muslim party anything but racist is beyond me. Your support for them is INDEFENSIBLE.

Marine reminds me of Bill O'Reilly, always trying to fire up the "little guy" and pretend she gives a shit about the working classes from her mansion. She's a user, and her supporters are racist tools.

[MADem]

61. I am not calling YOU a racist, I am calling Marine Le Pen and the National Front

racists. And they are. It's not just Muslims...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2383855/How-Roma-invasion-sparked-rise-Frances-racist-Right.html

http://www.mintpressnews.com/french-politicians-racist-remarks-tap-growing-xenophobic-sentiment-in-europe/165928/

[MADem]

52. Your comments are generalizations.

Also, you're attempting to compare a country that is smaller than the state of Texas to a nation of fifty states, some of which are densely populated. USA has the third largest population in the world. Where's France on the list? Waaaaaaay down the rankings at Number 21 or so. When you don't have as much to work with, it's easier to keep track of stuff. But to address your generalizations:

Not everyone who gets sick loses their home. Most don't. Your generalizations about insurance aren't true, either. Also, St. Jude's Hospitals don't turn away any 'sick kids with cancer,' neither do the hospitals in my state (and several others, like VT) turn away anyone, regardless of age, thanks to Commonwealth Care. The ACA will provide the same sort of care to everyone. You know, that "Obamacare" we fought so hard to get?

The bridges in my state are in decent shape, and are inspected and repaired. Obama's stimulus program had as a central feature the repair of infrastructure and specifically bridges. This has been happening nationally. When there's a problem, it makes the NEWS and it gets fixed.

The highways I drive on are great--and I've covered areas in USA far greater than the area of France. Again, France is smaller than TEXAS--compared to USA, it's tiny. Your complaint is just silly.

Of course we have more murders than France, we're much larger and have the third largest population in the world and we do have that gun thing going on that many of us don't like. But oddly enough, you've a better chance of getting ASSAULTED in France than you are in USA. Isn't that an odd statistic?

You can't compare a policeman in a city in Washington to any other policeman in any other city. The police are LOCAL--we don't have "national" police. State police are different, too, from one state to the next. Were you dressed like a vagrant? Perhaps the policeman thought you were a panhandler. You didn't get arrested, did you? You certainly make some goofy assumptions--maybe the cop didn't think you were stoned, maybe he thought you were unmedicated and in need of help. There's no percentage in "hassling" people for legal conduct, you know. He probably thought you weren't registered at the hotel and were loitering for nefarious purposes. Get over it.

And being gay or black is no picnic in France--all you have to do is open your paper and read.

Did you forget about this? http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/06/french-activist-brain-dead-skinheads

And this? http://americablog.com/2013/05/catholic-rel-rt-anti-gay-march-in-paris-against-turns-violent.html

And this lunacy? Talk about wishing away problems by pretending that one group or the other doesn't suffer them: http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/17/france-fights-racism-by-outlawing-race/?_r=0

Or this? http://www.enca.com/world/racist-police-attack-caught-video-france

And this? http://www.france24.com/en/20130827-french-muslim-girl-veil-attack-suicide-skinheads-islamophobia-paris-police

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/19/world/europe/muslim-woman-suffers-miscarriage-after-attack-in-france.html

And about those violent "mass murder" attacks--what about this guy?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/air-force-sergeant-accused-of-planning-mosque-attack-as-muslim-leader-denounces-islamophobic-france-8758129.html

Why are Muslims afraid? Why are anti-Muslim attacks on the rise? http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/12/us-france-muslims-idUSBRE97B0DS20130812

What about THIS dude?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/world/europe/mohammed-merah-toulouse-shooting-suspect-french-police-standoff.html?_r=1&hp

And this?? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2126176/France-serial-killer-fears-Four-murdered-Paris-suburb-Grigny-gunman-motorbike.html

And let's not forget this: http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/06/world/europe/france-shooting/index.html

Or these: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/06/marseille-gangland-murders-crisis-talks

For such a tiny country, relative to USA, France isn't a stranger to violence, either. I certainly wouldn't claim USA is a paragon on that score, but it does depend a LOT on where one lives how much violence they encounter--and no country has clean hands. Never happen in France, you say? Don't count on it.


The FN is a bunch of crazy wingnuts. They aren't progressive, and if you think they'll be racially or religiously inclusive if they ever get power, think again. They've barely toned it down when it comes to Jews and Muslims, they're anti-immigration, they're anti-choice, they're just nasty. They're way to the right of the philosophies of this website. I can't understand how anyone can be a member of a progressive website like DU and cheerlead for the FN--they are closer to the Freepers and Tea Partiers than they are Democrats:

http://www.policy-network.net/pno_detail.aspx?ID=4446&title=Is-France-moving-to-the-right


Americans are actually slightly more happy than the French with their lot in life, as are the Canadians and a few others, but the happiest of all, if we're to believe the polls, are the Scandanavian countries: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/09/10/a-fascinating-map-of-the-worlds-happiest-and-least-happy-countries/

[MADem]

60. Please stop responding twice--use the edit feature if you want to add material.

The FN is a racist, rightwing organization.

And you keep comparing your tiny France to USA, where laws vary. Where I live, gays can marry, adopt, have children, have full rights. And if they're "accepted" in France, they aren't "accepted" by the FN, which you purport to support.

And as for being black in France, I have a friend who says there are days when he'd rather live in Mississippi. So I guess where you stand depends on what color your skin is.

[MADem]

59. So, you were singled out....just because?

Are you sure the cop didn't think you were a pimp?

Did you ask why he was questioning you?

And the FN IS right wing. You need to just own that. It has, at it's core, an intolerant attitude towards foreigners, gays and choice.

It is incompatible with progressive US politics.

[4Q2u2]

28. Thought you might like this

Posted it down thread but I wanted you to see it.


http://election.democraticunderground.com/10023652979

[MADem]

30. "That's the reason I wear the uniform -- so anyone can live free in this country."

That's some of that "American exceptionalism" in action.

I'm glad to see it coming from a service member, too. A few folks here have an active dislike for the military and those who volunteer to serve in it. I just don't understand that....

Thanks for the link!

[4Q2u2]

31. Comments

You can see how little traffic it received and how that does not fit the narrative as to why it sank so hard and fast.
Men(women) in Uniform are people of action not words.

[PragmaticLiberal]

45. "A few folks here have an active dislike for the military and those who volunteer to serve in it."

Yep, and this has been one of the most disappointing things about DU..imo.

[Tarheel_Dem]

10. Excellent, as only Eugene Robinson can!

[wundermaus]

12. America is not exceptional.

I'm an American.
Been one for quite a long time.
We as a nation are not exceptional.
We are a relatively young nation created from the ashes of ancient indigenous native tribes that were systematically exterminated.
The current inhabitants of America are as diverse as you will find anywhere in the world.
Diversity could be a strength but it is our weakness because we are so easily divided and conquered from within.
Only a few criminals, liars, murderers, and thugs run our nation, not the people at large.
Not US.
We, the people think we run it, control it, guide it... but we do not.
We are a pathetic nation of me my mine.
Not exceptional at all.
And hopefully, only temporary at best.
The worst we could do is unimaginable.
Don't you think its past time for us to grow up as a nation and live the ideals we spout?

/rant

[sheshe2]

13. America is exceptional.

damn right we are.

My sig.

You know something, our colors are getting brighter and bolder every single day! It is the color of change and it's beautiful~~~ The Color of Things "A man's character always takes its hue, more or less, from the form and color of things about him." - Frederick Douglass

Yes we are exceptional!

[cali]

25. I don't understand even thinking in those terms.

I get that a lot of people do, but honestly what the hell is the point to running around and saying howvspecial we are and how we're better than other countries? What does it achieve? And yes, that's really what it boils down to.

The real problem with this frame for me is that its dangerously close to Nationalism.

[Grateful for Hope]

48. There is no other country that welcomes immigrants like the US does

In this way, we are exceptional - and it is the opposite of Nationalism.

[MADem]

62. What a racist comment.

I have news for you--blacks and whites have the same accents in BOSTON, too.

And I beg your pardon, but a West Indian black immigrant does NOT have the same accent as a UK-born East Ender of any race in London.

You might want to spend some time in Brixton before you continue your generalizations.

I really think you don't have your facts in order.

[Electric Monk]

43. You're using the wrong definition of the word "exceptional". That's not how it's meant.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023658819
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/exceptional

[Jamaal510]

14. .

[avaistheone1]

15. American exceptionalism is part of the Bush doctrine.

Sequestering American Exceptionalism

.SNIP
The Obama administration has extended the Bush doctrine of preemption by authorizing assassinations of suspected “militants” in countries with which the United States is not at war. Such rank unilateralism has no basis in international law, and indeed the UN has opened a major new investigation into the United States’ use of drones and targeted assassinations.

If it feels an irrepressible urge to deploy its resources abroad, the United States would do well to curb its global pretensions and become more of a team player, putting its military muscle and money behind international agencies. The UN helps protect civilians in war zones, provides humanitarian aid to refugees, promotes the alleviation of poverty and sustainable development, and is a central player in the cause of human rights. A separate International Criminal Court investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes. The United States has thus far refused to participate in this court.

By the most conservative estimates, the United States spends over $700 billion on its military, accounting for 41 percent of the world’s total military expenditures. Transferring some of these funds to UN agencies, even with expected cuts in the U.S. military budget, would enhance global security without weakening U.S. national security.

The United States is moving against the tide of history in attempting to maintain its self-appointed world policeman role. The development of international institutions and law are more than a century in the making and will no doubt require another century to secure. But the “American Century” is most certainly coming to an end. The goal should be a smooth transition to a more cooperative world order.

http://fpif.org/sequestering_american_exceptionalism/

[ErikJ]

16. American slavery, pioneering and genocide has made us exceptional

250 years of institutional slavery and manifest destiny pioneering/genocide has definitely made the US an exceptional country.

[CakeGrrl]

17. K/R

You have to love how people are so invested in making you see the wisdom of Putin's words while they don't care to hear what the President is actually saying.

Paying too much attention to the right-wing echo chamber, indeed. Anything that supports their ongoing, unshakable disappointment in the President.

[ProSense]

23. Exactly.

They simply accept Putin's mischaracterization of what the President said.

[Hekate]

19. "a lovely pink negligee" LOL. Nicely put, Mr. Robinson. Good article all around, well thought-out

People should read the whole thing at the link. I particularly like the reference to the right-wing echo chamber, but it could be said of others as well.

[4Q2u2]

26. Define the Exceptionalism Yourself

Why let right wing chickenhawks define what American Exceptionalism is in the first place. Why abdicate our view of American Exceptionalism to them and get out what we define as those Tenets that do, should, and what we hope to achieve. By no means are we perfect but there are always examples that show us the way.
Here was a great DU link yesterday that barely registered a blip on the site. That is a shame. It is a great example to follow.

http://election.democraticunderground.com/10023652979

[Daniel537]

27. I wonder how the Putin/Assad fan club responds to this. n/t

[Pretzel_Warrior]

32. By saying Eugene Robinson doesn't understand exceptionalism

Only they, with their vastly superior intellect know what Putin was referring to.

[MADem]

33. Or by saying he's in Obama's corner....just because....

....and I ain't going there.

I'll think it, though.

[Comrade Grumpy]

39. That's a pretty juvenile post. n/t

[SidDithers]

34. DU rec...nt

Sid

[Douglas Carpenter]

35. is it my imagination or do we see pretty much the same people who support the surveillance state,

support military interventionism in a sectarian Middle Eastern civil war, support blind allegiance to a leader are also the same people who support the ideology of American supremacy? Is this dangerous, or what?

[Pretzel_Warrior]

36. Nope. You are hyperventilating

[ocpagu]

40. Fascism on the making.

It has been going on for a while now.

The goal is to set acceptable limits of how free/ how far political and ideological speech can reach without disturbing TPTB. Both parties - Republicans and Democrats - are walking faster to the right. The Republicans would be considered a far-right, extremist party almost everywhere in the planet by now. In some civilized countries, perhaps even illegal. A covert dictatorship with two parties acting under the same objectives and responding to the same interests, all of them trying to make Americans believe that being a radical right-winger is "mainstream"... it makes it easier to pave the road for fascism. I guess a real dictatorship in the US won't even be needed if the two parties are willing to cooperate.

[ProSense]

44. I'm taking

"is it my imagination or do we see pretty much the same people who support the surveillance state, support military interventionism in a sectarian Middle Eastern civil war, support blind allegiance to a leader are also the same people who support the ideology of American supremacy? Is this dangerous, or what?"

...bets that this thread will be ignored:

Many members who voted for tough stance on Syria now oppose military action
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023662378

[Vashta Nerada]

37. America is far from exceptional.

We're behind in education, science, healthcare, equality...need I go on?

Our politicians are still making decisions based on a book written by man and worshipping imaginary sky fairies, for christ's sake.

[ozone_man]

49. There's one thing we're exceptional at.

Our military budget is larger than the rest of the world combined.

Eugene Robinson is a hack for the establishment. This an an ad hominem attack. Let's talk about what the essay says, no matter who wrote it. Any one of us here could have written it, it's what we've been saying for weeks now. The same goes for Snowden. Let's talk about the NSA and not pole dancing.

[Scurrilous]

38. Great article!

K & R

[Sand Wind]

41. Great post !

[Harmony Blue]

42. We no longer are special snowflakes

unless we are taking about John McCain.