America's Role...
I advise all to check out Peter C’s comments pertaining to Thomas Freidman’s article America’s DNA.
I am trying not to get emotional about this article. I think the events of 9/11 are still too recent to be completely removed for emotion, but I am trying. I feel as if Freidman’s arguments are not something to consider. Is the US overreacting? Are there unintended consequences to new US policies? What messages is the US sending to its friends?
But Freidman is completely ignoring another side of this discussion. He speaks as if the US arbitrarily decided to tighten its security protocols. The US was attacked by a foreign power on its home soil and thousands of her civilians were killed by terrorists. I am happy to say that the US was not accustom to such events.
All the security procedures Freidman is critical of have been put in place to protect US citizens. Freidman and Peter C speak of the US’s role as it concerns the “rest of the world”. The US has, before and after 9/11, taken actions, both as a nation and as individuals, to aide other peoples all over the world. I don’t think it is accurate to compare the US to a “child who is sulking” because the US is taking action to protect her citizens.
The primary responsibility of any country is to its citizens or subjects. Therefore, the US should provide reasonable security for its citizens before worrying too much about the how those security measures will appear to others. For example,
“Sorry about the increased inconvenience on your foreign contest winners but we are trying to protect our citizens.”
The US is a great country that, like all other nations, has made mistakes. She continues to work for the spread of democracy while protecting her citizens.
God bless America.
Be sure to check out the comments of DCD714 and BWS to Peter C’s original posting.
I am trying not to get emotional about this article. I think the events of 9/11 are still too recent to be completely removed for emotion, but I am trying. I feel as if Freidman’s arguments are not something to consider. Is the US overreacting? Are there unintended consequences to new US policies? What messages is the US sending to its friends?
But Freidman is completely ignoring another side of this discussion. He speaks as if the US arbitrarily decided to tighten its security protocols. The US was attacked by a foreign power on its home soil and thousands of her civilians were killed by terrorists. I am happy to say that the US was not accustom to such events.
All the security procedures Freidman is critical of have been put in place to protect US citizens. Freidman and Peter C speak of the US’s role as it concerns the “rest of the world”. The US has, before and after 9/11, taken actions, both as a nation and as individuals, to aide other peoples all over the world. I don’t think it is accurate to compare the US to a “child who is sulking” because the US is taking action to protect her citizens.
The primary responsibility of any country is to its citizens or subjects. Therefore, the US should provide reasonable security for its citizens before worrying too much about the how those security measures will appear to others. For example,
“Sorry about the increased inconvenience on your foreign contest winners but we are trying to protect our citizens.”
The US is a great country that, like all other nations, has made mistakes. She continues to work for the spread of democracy while protecting her citizens.
God bless America.
Be sure to check out the comments of DCD714 and BWS to Peter C’s original posting.
1 Comments:
Please see my comment on Peter C's blog.
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