American Exceptionalism

[Asteriskhead]

I think American Exceptionalism is largely to make people feel like they are better than other countries, usually while not contributing in any meaningful way.  People want to feel like they are great and the only way for some to do that is by thinking it is their birthright.

I mean, this is the quintessential rationale for people who vote democrat against their better interest. Why don't the libtards have a beef with that?

you're making a very, very large assumption. voting behavior is far more complex than that.

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

I know you are not a serious type of person to debate with, but if you want to make the claim that

Country A is the greatest force for good.

you must define your terms.  What is precisely meant by "greatest", "force", and "good"? It would probably be wise to define "country" as well.

I think you can go ahead and use whatever common dictionary definition you want for any of those words - it won't change the analysis. Oh, except for "country" which I agree is too narrow, which is why I've also used the words "nation" and "civilization." Feel free to use any of them. Also "greatest" does not mean "per capita." ( Rusty). It means "greatest overall" because that's what actually matters when it comes to things like humanitarian aid, scientific achievement, etc.

When defining American Exceptionalism, the most important thing to remember is what it does not mean - American Perfectionalism (no matter how furiously Rusty wants to prop up that strawman by saying "well that's what people think it means"). On balance, considering the good and the bad, America is the greatest force for good this world has ever known. This isn't really debateable unless you think that conquering the native americans over a century ago (who were, themselves, conquering each other for centuries), somehow negates all or most of America's contributions to science and humanitarian causes. In which case, well, we'll just have to agree to disagree on that.

[CHONGS]

No, you must define your terms.  You are making the claim, you must explain what your claim actually means.

One could easily argue that the British Empire, France, Germany, the Catholic Church, the Jewish people, China, Greece, Rome, etc.. are all the "greatest" "forces" for "good".   

[michigancat]

I know you are not a serious type of person to debate with, but if you want to make the claim that

Country A is the greatest force for good.

you must define your terms.  What is precisely meant by "greatest", "force", and "good"? It would probably be wise to define "country" as well.

I think you can go ahead and use whatever common dictionary definition you want for any of those words - it won't change the analysis. Oh, except for "country" which I agree is too narrow, which is why I've also used the words "nation" and "civilization." Feel free to use any of them. Also "greatest" does not mean "per capita." ( Rusty). It means "greatest overall" because that's what actually matters when it comes to things like humanitarian aid, scientific achievement, etc.

When defining American Exceptionalism, the most important thing to remember is what it does not mean - American Perfectionalism (no matter how furiously Rusty wants to prop up that strawman by saying "well that's what people think it means"). On balance, considering the good and the bad, America is the greatest force for good this world has ever known. This isn't really debateable unless you think that conquering the native americans over a century ago (who were, themselves, conquering each other for centuries), somehow negates all or most of America's contributions to science and humanitarian causes. In which case, well, we'll just have to agree to disagree on that.

Do you think Obama believes in American Exceptionalism as you sort of define it?

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

I know you are not a serious type of person to debate with, but if you want to make the claim that

Country A is the greatest force for good.

you must define your terms.  What is precisely meant by "greatest", "force", and "good"? It would probably be wise to define "country" as well.

I think you can go ahead and use whatever common dictionary definition you want for any of those words - it won't change the analysis. Oh, except for "country" which I agree is too narrow, which is why I've also used the words "nation" and "civilization." Feel free to use any of them. Also "greatest" does not mean "per capita." ( Rusty). It means "greatest overall" because that's what actually matters when it comes to things like humanitarian aid, scientific achievement, etc.

When defining American Exceptionalism, the most important thing to remember is what it does not mean - American Perfectionalism (no matter how furiously Rusty wants to prop up that strawman by saying "well that's what people think it means"). On balance, considering the good and the bad, America is the greatest force for good this world has ever known. This isn't really debateable unless you think that conquering the native americans over a century ago (who were, themselves, conquering each other for centuries), somehow negates all or most of America's contributions to science and humanitarian causes. In which case, well, we'll just have to agree to disagree on that.

Do you think Obama believes in American Exceptionalism as you sort of define it?

No. He has admitted that he doesn't.

[michigancat]

Do you think Obama believes in American Exceptionalism as you sort of define it?

No. He has admitted that he doesn't.

http://www.factcheck.org/2015/02/obama-and-american-exceptionalism/

[OK_Cat]

Liberal rag

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

Do you think Obama believes in American Exceptionalism as you sort of define it?

No. He has admitted that he doesn't.

http://www.factcheck.org/2015/02/obama-and-american-exceptionalism/

Wow. Quite the balanced "fact check."

No doubt, Obama has back peddled quite a bit, but his first, and most telling response was:

“I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism”

That's not Anerican Exceptionalism - it is relativism, a tenant of liberal faith.

[8manpick]

Do you think Obama believes in American Exceptionalism as you sort of define it?

No. He has admitted that he doesn't.

http://www.factcheck.org/2015/02/obama-and-american-exceptionalism/

Wow. Quite the balanced "fact check."

No doubt, Obama has back peddled quite a bit, but his first, and most telling response was:

“I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism”

That's not Anerican Exceptionalism - it is relativism, a tenant of liberal faith.

Should the Greeks believe in Greek Exceptionalism, or should they just submit themselves to us?

[Institutional Control]

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

Do you think Obama believes in American Exceptionalism as you sort of define it?

No. He has admitted that he doesn't.

http://www.factcheck.org/2015/02/obama-and-american-exceptionalism/

Wow. Quite the balanced "fact check."

No doubt, Obama has back peddled quite a bit, but his first, and most telling response was:

“I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism”

That's not Anerican Exceptionalism - it is relativism, a tenant of liberal faith.

Should the Greeks believe in Greek Exceptionalism, or should they just submit themselves to us?

They can believe whatever they want - it doesn't mean they're right.

[mocat]

man oh man this thread! 

[Kat Kid]

What is the difference between American exceptionalism and American nationalism/patriotism?

[OK_Cat]

What is the difference between American exceptionalism and American nationalism/patriotism?

Fox news

[Spracne]

Some of you speak about America as though you don't love her...

[Kat Kid]

I think American Exceptionalism is largely to make people feel like they are better than other countries, usually while not contributing in any meaningful way.  People want to feel like they are great and the only way for some to do that is by thinking it is their birthright.

Has America accomplished some pretty great things?  Sure.  Have I or a majority of the people in America contributed meaningfully to those accomplishments?  Not really.

American Exceptionalism is an idea. Like any other idea, it's either true or it isn't. I'm still waiting for an argument as to another country that has been a greater force for good (and no, we're not going "per capita"). I guess there was the Romans thing because of aqueducts?

I don't think this quote is getting enough love.

[Dugout DickStone]

Some of you speak about America as though you don't love her...

I would bone America down, my man.

[steve dave]

I think American Exceptionalism is largely to make people feel like they are better than other countries, usually while not contributing in any meaningful way.  People want to feel like they are great and the only way for some to do that is by thinking it is their birthright.

Has America accomplished some pretty great things?  Sure.  Have I or a majority of the people in America contributed meaningfully to those accomplishments?  Not really.

American Exceptionalism is an idea. Like any other idea, it's either true or it isn't. I'm still waiting for an argument as to another country that has been a greater force for good (and no, we're not going "per capita"). I guess there was the Romans thing because of aqueducts?

I don't think this quote is getting enough love.

oh I loved it pretty hard, I just didn't talk about it

[slobber]

Yes, so it seems quite prudent to believe that America is exceptional.

[Fedor]

Yes, so it seems quite prudent to believe that America is exceptional.

I mean, either you know the definition of word or you don't.

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

I think American Exceptionalism is largely to make people feel like they are better than other countries, usually while not contributing in any meaningful way.  People want to feel like they are great and the only way for some to do that is by thinking it is their birthright.

Has America accomplished some pretty great things?  Sure.  Have I or a majority of the people in America contributed meaningfully to those accomplishments?  Not really.

American Exceptionalism is an idea. Like any other idea, it's either true or it isn't. I'm still waiting for an argument as to another country that has been a greater force for good (and no, we're not going "per capita"). I guess there was the Romans thing because of aqueducts?

I don't think this quote is getting enough love.

oh I loved it pretty hard, I just didn't talk about it

Yeah, I should have said "you either agree with it, or you don't." My point was that I don't really care how the idea of AE is used per ChiCat's post above, it's just an idea that you either agree or disagree with.

[Kat Kid]

That makes no sense.  You should define your terms as Chingon said.  Because this is how this is currently going:

1) I love the idea of murder!
2) that's awful, murder is awful.
1) murder is actually good because I define it as awesome.
2) that is not how that word is commonly used.
1) I define it differently so it is awesome and that is something you Either agree or disagree with.
2) I like awesome and do not like murder.
1) you have to choose.

[K-S-U-Wildcats!]

That makes no sense.  You should define your terms as Chingon said.  Because this is how this is currently going:

1) I love the idea of murder!
2) that's awful, murder is awful.
1) murder is actually good because I define it as awesome.
2) that is not how that word is commonly used.
1) I define it differently so it is awesome and that is something you Either agree or disagree with.
2) I like awesome and do not like murder.
1) you have to choose.

Ok, bub. Good comparison. By all means, if you feel uncomfortable admitting that you don't believe in American Excpetionalism, feel free to quibble about the meaning of words like "force" and "good."

[SdK]

That makes no sense.  You should define your terms as Chingon said.  Because this is how this is currently going:

1) I love the idea of murder!
2) that's awful, murder is awful.
1) murder is actually good because I define it as awesome.
2) that is not how that word is commonly used.
1) I define it differently so it is awesome and that is something you Either agree or disagree with.
2) I like awesome and do not like murder.
1) you have to choose.

Hysteric, hysterical.

[CHONGS]

I'm still waiting for an argument as to another country that has been a greater force for good (and no, we're not going "per capita").

I am solely focused on this. Are you really waiting for an argument or do you just want to talk at people?