Letters to the Editor

This letter is associated with the following article:
The hysteria over Obama's former pastor's attacks on America shows we're still in thrall to knee-jerk patriotism.
  • @brunnhilde: American Exceptionalism

    Good point. Historical hyperbole. There is the Iroquois Constitution, for a close example.

    And I don't intend to further the notion that Americans themselves are more valuable human beings than human beings in other countries.

    You're right to point out that Exceptionalism is both immoral and dangerous.

    But we do have a pretty remarkable legacy. When MLK made his Dream speech, he spoke of making good on a promise of the Founders (All men are created equal). He was using the logic of the system against itself, but likely also believed it, for this flawed system contained within it mechanisms for improvement.

    If we're going to talk about flag pins, let's see if we can't just worm into the conversation what the flag is supposed to represent.