Big Bad America

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I have been, and I continue to be, a fan of the "Weekly Profile Series", appearing on normblog every Friday. [Disclosure — I was a fan even before I myself had been profiled.] It is clear that Norm's own views are not imposed on any of these posts; he reports it as it is provided to him by the profilee.

Consider, if you will, the following excerpt from today's profile (the Subject Article):

What do you consider to be the main threat to the future peace and security of the world? > The United States' conviction that they should police the world. They do it so very badly, and the fallout is so appalling.

A rather sweeping condemnation, n'est pas? Let's set aside all raging emotional responses and simply consider which nation or world organization, past or present, might be considered a better alternative:

• the United Nations? With the possible exception of the League of Nations, has there ever been a more inept, morally corrupt, and perfidious organization known to man?
• Nazi Germany? A favorite of those who feel it necessary to be cordial to, or to reason with, I'madinnerjacket.
• the former Soviet Union? Ask the nations of Eastern Europe.
• the former British Empire? Ask the former British Colonies (and don't forget to ask America itself).
• Napoleonic France? Ask Russia and Britain.
• China? Japan? The Persian Empire? The Roman Empire? Genghis Khan? Switzerland? Liechtenstein? The Mouse That Roared?

OK, suppose America resumed its pre-WWII isolationist position. Where in the world, outside America, would you like to live? For how long?

Here is another excerpt from today's profile:

What personal fault do you most dislike? > Knee-jerk, un-thought-out reactions on any subject.

What sweet irony.