[lit-ideas] Re: Not very neighbourly
- From: "Eric Yost" <mr.eric.yost@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 17:20:34 -0400
Chris wrote: I had not meant to sound anti-American. Some of the rest of
us still hold the U.S. to a higher standard when it comes to freedom and
civil liberties.
Historically, Americans have reliably removed excess when it encumbered
or no longer served a purpose. Think of John Adams and his Alien and
Sedition Acts, which though primarily aimed at French influence in the
country, became too much of a hassle. It finished Adams. It destroyed
the Federalist Party forever, creating a landslide for Jefferson's
Democratic Republican Party. This walloping arose entirely by popular
discontent, since the Supreme Court had not yet claimed its right to
judicial review.
Further, Chris, you do not sound anti-American. You echo American
sentiments, not only because of your critique, but also because the US
should be held to a higher standard, as long as that standard is
consistent with national defense. What is the use of being
exceptionalist if you are also exceptionally destroyed?
The link between "US exceptionalism" and holding "the U.S. to a higher
standard when it comes to freedom and civil liberties" should be
examined.
Eric
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