re: <there is a difference.>
What you're saying, is that American patriotism is Good, and Iraqi patriotism is Bad. American patriotism is honest, for the common good, inclusive, promotes freedom, everything Good, while Iraqi patriotism is the opposite. Iraqis, in your view, don't have a legitimate patriotism. You de-legitimise, not just Iraqi patriotism, but that of all the ME nations. All the Muslim nations. How about China and Cuba and Estonia? Are their nationalisms legitimate and Good? Is anyone's nationalism legitimate, other than ours?
The U.S. has become so powerful, and so arrogant, that we no longer believe any other nation has the right to self-rule. We define the exercise of our sovereignty, the protection of our "national interests", so broadly that it means no other nation can be sovereign, no other nation is allowed to protect their own interests, not even on their own soil.
Bolton's speech re ICC, and my commentary: Message 18759471
He says it quite clearly, this idea that only American nationalism is legitimate, so we are justified in the totally unrestricted and unilateral exercise of power over Others. |
