tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post3749970529401364761..comments2024-03-17T03:42:21.277-05:00Comments on LEARNING CURVE ON THE ECLIPTIC: Exceptionally Exceptional in its Exceptionalism?Twilighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-80759896344858086602013-02-20T13:00:47.448-06:002013-02-20T13:00:47.448-06:00mike ~~ I see what you mean. I suppose Glenn Gree...mike ~~ I see what you mean. I suppose Glenn Greenwald was using the term exceptionalism rather than nationalism because it offers a wee bit extra nuance - that the nationalism felt by some in the US stems from a feeling of being even more exceptional than the norm (of nationalistic feelings of citizens in other nations.) <br /><br />Journalists as experienced as GG will always have their reasons for using certain words, I guess.<br />Words are their business. ;-)<br />Twilighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-87946679227801050382013-02-20T12:24:32.602-06:002013-02-20T12:24:32.602-06:00Well, I should probably leave well-enough alone! ...Well, I should probably leave well-enough alone! Self-centered, over-zealous patriotism is just that! You used American exceptionalism correctly in your commentary and I'm not trying to pick at a bone with you Twilight, so please don't take this offensively.<br /><br />I don't prefer the use of exceptionalism, personally, because it implies the exceptional. I prefer the word nationalism, because it implies over-zealous patriotism.<br /><br />This from online Webster's:<br /><br />Definition of EXCEPTIONALISM<br />: the condition of being different from the norm; also : a theory expounding the exceptionalism especially of a nation or region<br />http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exceptionalism?show=0&t=1361384438<br /><br />Definition of NATIONALISM<br />1: loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially : a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups<br />2: a nationalist movement or government<br />http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalismmike (again)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-3525102219427380462013-02-20T08:49:04.694-06:002013-02-20T08:49:04.694-06:00mike ~~ I agree, broadly, and think imperialism is...mike ~~ I agree, broadly, and think imperialism is the better description. <br /><br />Exceptionalism is something else though, neither exactly nationalism nor imperialism.<br />As you say, there are unique factors in the way the USA came into being - but then there are unique factors in every country's births - births of most others fall back into the mists of time though.<br /><br />I think what Glenn Greenwald and others criticise is the constant reference from those on high to how great and wonderful the USA is, "God bless the USA" at every turn, as though the rest of the world can go to hell......inward looking, self satisfied. Twilighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-62675180599773726042013-02-19T21:06:25.158-06:002013-02-19T21:06:25.158-06:00I think that the truer definition of American nati...I think that the truer definition of American nationalism as the qualities that make this nation unique are valid...or were valid prior to the Patriot Act. American nationalism has been expanded in the past ten to fifteen years to define foreign policy, which I would call American elitism (or imperialism). This has been a concurrent phenomenon with corporate elitism, coincidentally.<br /><br />I would call this foreign policy elitism (or imperialism) considering that America went to war with Afghanistan and Iraq with no valid reason, against the UN vote, did not follow Geneva Conventions, has performed militant operations in other countries in defiance of that nation's government, has continually defined rules post play, and America still occupies Afghanistan and Iraq.mike (again)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-50159275510422748832013-02-19T13:25:00.150-06:002013-02-19T13:25:00.150-06:00Sonny ~~ I'm very glad you see it that way. :...Sonny ~~ I'm very glad you see it that way. :-) Thank you!Twilighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-86043712691883801872013-02-19T13:24:29.307-06:002013-02-19T13:24:29.307-06:00mike ~~ Well...the term does have dual roots, fro...mike ~~ Well...the term does have dual roots, from Alexis de Tocqueville in the mid 19th century who described the US as "exceptional", and, as you point out, Stalin expanded on it in his own context.<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism<br /><br />Thanks for the link to Frank Rich's article - yes he makes some good points, but his constant "stroking" of President Obama irritated me no end! He's an establishment Democrat, obviously! There are a lot of 'em about.....and that is part of the problems we face these days.<br />Too much stroking not enough holding of feet to fire. <br /><br />The factor not only the USA, but the world, faces now is climate change. Decline, when it kicks in, will be different from any other decline in human memory; America will no longer have any claim to being exceptional - except perhaps in their tardiness or obstinacy in not attempting to fully recognise, or try to limit, the dangers.Twilighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-88713168758585619872013-02-19T12:08:07.445-06:002013-02-19T12:08:07.445-06:00thanks for always making your blog a place I can L...thanks for always making your blog a place I can Learn.<br /><br />sonnySonny Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06926830309207639536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-72953784679064549832013-02-19T09:49:13.387-06:002013-02-19T09:49:13.387-06:00Did you know that the term "American exceptio...Did you know that the term "American exceptionalism" was created by Stalin?<br /><br />"In 1929, Communist leader Jay Lovestone informed Stalin in Moscow that the American proletariat wasn't interested in revolution. Stalin responded by demanding that he end this "heresy of American exceptionalism." And just like that, this expression was born." From http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/03/how-joseph-stalin-invented-american-exceptionalism/254534/<br /><br />An excellent article regarding American decline:<br />http://nymag.com/news/frank-rich/declining-america-2012-7/mikenoreply@blogger.com