Uniquely American

Years ago he was my Spanish tutor for a while when I first arrived in Maracaibo, Venezuela. I was beginning a long term job assignment there.

His name was Hernan. He was Colombian.

Amongst the chatter about verb tenses and slang expressions we’d explore different cultures, customs; even how people from diverse countries distinguish themselves by unique dress and appearance.

I never forgot that he could always pick out an American on the street.

“How is that, by their clothes?” I asked.

“No, by the way they walk,” he replied.

I grinned and immediately knew what he meant. We Americans have a swagger, a strut that says I am an American.

It is part of our We Can Accomplish Anything culture, pride. It has been passed down through the generations.

Or at least it used to be.

Outside the U.S. some people would interpret that body language as a sign of arrogance. But they only saw what they were looking for; and in truth were envious of success and wealth that America and its people have worked hard to achieve.

It is easy to criticize the rich guy on the block, but it takes great sweat and tears to become rich yourself.

It is strange then when a newly-minted American President no less, travels abroad and as would no lover of America denigrates his country’s historic world leadership and success:

^^^^^^^“‘In America, there's a failure to appreciate Europe's leading role in the world,’ he said before offering other European critical views of his country. ‘There have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.’” (*)

^^^^^^^“At almost every stop, Obama has made clear that the U.S. is but one actor in a global community.” (*)

With these comments B.H.O. rejects a policy, used throughout our history, which dates to George Washington:

As the “first proponent of American exceptionalism” Washington said in his Farewell Address: “The name of American which belongs to you, in your natural capacity, must always exalt the just pride of nationalism.” (**)

The first president also counseled, “We must never forget that we are Americans, the remembrance of which will convince us we act for ourselves and not for others.” (**)

It is now obvious that President Obama has embarked on a journey to take his election mandate for change to unexplored places, redefining who we are as a people, and how we will act as a nation.

I imagine that the 58,343,671 (/) people who did not vote for him are not happy with, but neither are they surprised by this turn of events.

And maybe even a few who did go his way are having buyer’s remorse.

[To be continued……..]

[EdNote*: Credit for the quotations is duly given to a Time Magazine article by Michael Scherer linked through Yahoo: Michael Scherer]

[EdNote**: Quotations are from Johnson, Paul, George Washington, The Founding Father, HarperCollins, 2005. Go out and buy a copy, it is a great concise, 125 page book.]

[EdNote: (/) Election figures for 2008 can be found at: Info Please]

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