American Exceptionalism

[8manpick]

I was fascinated when KSUw brought it up, and would love to hear what your thoughts on the idea are.

What does it mean to you?  Was it ever relevant or true?  On what grounds does American Exceptionalism stand? Is it still true today? If not, when did it die?

Discuss! Try not to make it about libs and pubs though.

[steve dave]

it was exceptionally lucky for early Europeans to stumble upon such an enormous resource rich land with so few people already on it. that was pretty exceptional. you can't do that anymore unless you blast your ass off to space.

[michigancat]

It's turned into a witch hunt litmus test for a group of children who think that if you dare question our country's morals or motivations throughout history, you are a witch. It makes it extremely difficult to learn from your past when you're incapable of acknowledging your mistakes.

Personally, I obviously think it's an absurd concept (as it is widely used today).

[8manpick]

To me it seems like a frighteningly dangerous idea that has been co-opted as justification for global hegemony. Also incredibly arrogant.

[ben ji]

it was exceptionally lucky for early Europeans to stumble upon such an enormous resource rich land with so few people already on it. that was pretty exceptional. you can't do that anymore unless you blast your ass off to space.

Not until small pox.

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

it was exceptionally lucky for early Europeans to stumble upon such an enormous resource rich land with so few people already on it. that was pretty exceptional. you can't do that anymore unless you blast your ass off to space.

Which is why things are so prosperous in South and Central America, too, right? "Because trade and natural resources!!!" - anybody remember this from a few threads ago? Still hilarious.

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

It's turned into a witch hunt litmus test for a group of children who think that if you dare question our country's morals or motivations throughout history, you are a witch. It makes it extremely difficult to learn from your past when you're incapable of acknowledging your mistakes.

Personally, I obviously think it's an absurd concept (as it is widely used today).

American Exceptionalism has absolutely nothing to do with refusing to acknowledge past mistakes. It's American Exceptionalism - not American Perfectionalism.

Ok - that's two idiotic arguments down. What's next?

[Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!)]

Those two words are both defined in Websters.

It's weird how butthurt the libtards get about people wanting to bring the world up to American standards (i.e., the highest quality of life on the planet). Then you realize they are trying to drive everyone in America's quality of life down to that of a former Soviet block, and it makes sense.

[Rage Against the McKee]

it was exceptionally lucky for early Europeans to stumble upon such an enormous resource rich land with so few people already on it. that was pretty exceptional. you can't do that anymore unless you blast your ass off to space.

Which is why things are so prosperous in South and Central America, too, right? "Because trade and natural resources!!!" - anybody remember this from a few threads ago? Still hilarious.

North America was colonized. South/Central America was conquered with the goal of shipping resources to Spain.

[Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!)]

RAM is a treasure trove of dumbassery

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

it was exceptionally lucky for early Europeans to stumble upon such an enormous resource rich land with so few people already on it. that was pretty exceptional. you can't do that anymore unless you blast your ass off to space.

Which is why things are so prosperous in South and Central America, too, right? "Because trade and natural resources!!!" - anybody remember this from a few threads ago? Still hilarious.

North America was colonized. South/Central America was conquered with the goal of shipping resources to Spain.

South America and Central America weren't colonized?

[Rage Against the McKee]

it was exceptionally lucky for early Europeans to stumble upon such an enormous resource rich land with so few people already on it. that was pretty exceptional. you can't do that anymore unless you blast your ass off to space.

Which is why things are so prosperous in South and Central America, too, right? "Because trade and natural resources!!!" - anybody remember this from a few threads ago? Still hilarious.

North America was colonized. South/Central America was conquered with the goal of shipping resources to Spain.

South America and Central America weren't colonized?

They were colonized with the goal of sending resources back to Spain. England's colonists came looking for a place to live. They weren't very interested in sending resources back to England. They revolted over small taxes on stamps and tea.

[michigancat]

It's turned into a witch hunt litmus test for a group of children who think that if you dare question our country's morals or motivations throughout history, you are a witch. It makes it extremely difficult to learn from your past when you're incapable of acknowledging your mistakes.

Personally, I obviously think it's an absurd concept (as it is widely used today).

American Exceptionalism has absolutely nothing to do with refusing to acknowledge past mistakes. It's American Exceptionalism - not American Perfectionalism.

Ok - that's two idiotic arguments down. What's next?

in the context it is widely used today, it has become "American Perfectionism". If that isn't what it means to you, why don't you explain what it is to you?

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

It's turned into a witch hunt litmus test for a group of children who think that if you dare question our country's morals or motivations throughout history, you are a witch. It makes it extremely difficult to learn from your past when you're incapable of acknowledging your mistakes.

Personally, I obviously think it's an absurd concept (as it is widely used today).

American Exceptionalism has absolutely nothing to do with refusing to acknowledge past mistakes. It's American Exceptionalism - not American Perfectionalism.

Ok - that's two idiotic arguments down. What's next?

in the context it is widely used today, it has become "American Perfectionism". If that isn't what it means to you, why don't you explain what it is to you?

I already explained that in one of the threads yesterday - it's tough to keep to track of which one, what with SD making some revisions recently.

[Jabeez]

http://www.religionnews.com/2015/06/23/poll-like-red-white-blue-patriotism-mostly/

Pretty interesting polls done on americans.  They even mention american exceptionalism. 

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

[michigancat]

It's turned into a witch hunt litmus test for a group of children who think that if you dare question our country's morals or motivations throughout history, you are a witch. It makes it extremely difficult to learn from your past when you're incapable of acknowledging your mistakes.

Personally, I obviously think it's an absurd concept (as it is widely used today).

American Exceptionalism has absolutely nothing to do with refusing to acknowledge past mistakes. It's American Exceptionalism - not American Perfectionalism.

Ok - that's two idiotic arguments down. What's next?

in the context it is widely used today, it has become "American Perfectionism". If that isn't what it means to you, why don't you explain what it is to you?

I already explained that in one of the threads yesterday - it's tough to keep to track of which one, what with SD making some revisions recently.

Was it this?

From a foreign policy standpoint, the GOP actually believes in American Exceptionalism, and that's what I believe. We are the greatest nation and the greatest force for good this world has ever seen, and most pubs actually believe this. Most Dems don't, sadly.

I mean, we have done incredibly shitty and foolish things with our foreign policy throughout our history, especially since WWII. What have we done in the last 50 years that could possibly make a rational person consider us "the greatest force for good" in the world?

[CNS]

I think it was Huckabee who said a few yrs ago that he believes American Exceptionalism means that any of us, as an individual, are basically automatically superior to others simply because we are American. 

I think the functional definition has morphed over the years since it's inception.   I mean, the above is just ridiculous.

[renocat]

Obama wants us to be like civilized Europe.  No God, just the state.

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

It's turned into a witch hunt litmus test for a group of children who think that if you dare question our country's morals or motivations throughout history, you are a witch. It makes it extremely difficult to learn from your past when you're incapable of acknowledging your mistakes.

Personally, I obviously think it's an absurd concept (as it is widely used today).

American Exceptionalism has absolutely nothing to do with refusing to acknowledge past mistakes. It's American Exceptionalism - not American Perfectionalism.

Ok - that's two idiotic arguments down. What's next?

in the context it is widely used today, it has become "American Perfectionism". If that isn't what it means to you, why don't you explain what it is to you?

I already explained that in one of the threads yesterday - it's tough to keep to track of which one, what with SD making some revisions recently.

Was it this?

From a foreign policy standpoint, the GOP actually believes in American Exceptionalism, and that's what I believe. We are the greatest nation and the greatest force for good this world has ever seen, and most pubs actually believe this. Most Dems don't, sadly.

I mean, we have done incredibly shitty and foolish things with our foreign policy throughout our history, especially since WWII. What have we done in the last 50 years that could possibly make a rational person consider us "the greatest force for good" in the world?

For starters, we significantly outpace all other countries in terms of combined private charitable giving and public humanitarian aid. Then there are the myraid medical and other technological improvements spawned by our relatively free market economy. So yes, I think it's quite "rational"  to say that. What nation or civilization in the history of the world has been a greater force for good?

[Asteriskhead]

Obama wants us to be like civilized Europe. No God, just the state.

Sounds great.

[michigancat]

For starters, we significantly outpace all other countries in terms of combined private charitable giving and public humanitarian aid.

link? on a per capita basis, we most definitely do not outpace other countries' public humanitarian aid.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_governments_by_development_aid

[star seed 7]

Obama wants us to be like civilized Europe. No God, just the state.

Sounds great.

Would take 

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

For starters, we significantly outpace all other countries in terms of combined private charitable giving and public humanitarian aid.

link? on a per capita basis, we most definitely do not outpace other countries' public humanitarian aid.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_governments_by_development_aid

Did I ever say per capita? Why does that matter? A starving child or Ebola/AIDS patient in Africa isn't thinking "gosh, this food/treatment is great and all, but it's not very nourishing/healing on a per capita basis." You know what, you're right. Lichtenstein is really the greatest force for good the world has ever known on a per capita basis - and that's what matters!

[8manpick]

For starters, we significantly outpace all other countries in terms of combined private charitable giving and public humanitarian aid. Then there are the myraid medical and other technological improvements spawned by our relatively free market economy. So yes, I think it's quite "rational"  to say that. What nation or civilization in the history of the world has been a greater force for good?

Probably some country that minds their own god damn business that's who.

[Asteriskhead]

For starters, we significantly outpace all other countries in terms of combined private charitable giving and public humanitarian aid.

link? on a per capita basis, we most definitely do not outpace other countries' public humanitarian aid.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_governments_by_development_aid

Did I ever say per capita? Why does that matter? A starving child or Ebola/AIDS patient in Africa isn't thinking "gosh, this food/treatment is great and all, but it's not very nourishing/healing on a per capita basis." Are you really arguing "garsh, Lichtenstein is really the greatest force for good the world has ever known on a per capita basis"?

oh my, you really are dense.