Delusions

You’re deluding yourself if you think:

We can buy our way into favor with the people of Pakistan by helping them cope with the floods that have devastated their country. Won’t happen. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t provide assistance. It only means that their long-standing dislike of our actions and policies in their part of the world will not go away quickly – or maybe ever.

You’re deluding yourself if you think:

It’s un-American to oppose construction of an Islamic cultural center and mosque two blocks from Ground Zero. It’s very American to be opposed to ‘the other.’ It’s been that way from the beginning. Pilgrims and Puritans. Settlers and Indians. Germans and Irish. Irish and Italians. Almost all of them and Jews. Almost all of them and blacks. It’s in the Good Old American tradition to be the last one in and then try to prevent new ones from arriving. Today’s justifications for what is simply anti-Muslim prejudice are laughable. Too close to Hallowed Ground my ass. It’s more NIMBY, as evidenced by protests from white Christians elsewhere in the country. Give me a break.

You’re deluding yourself if you think:

Our latest, greatest military savior, the brilliant, prescient warrior with a gentle demeanor, the one and only General David Howell Petraeus, will agree to reduce American forces in Afghanistan on Obama’s promised schedule next summer. Ain’t gonna happen. There will be a full-court public relations press to convince us it’s not a good idea. And Obama will cave while arguing that he isn’t. And this hopeless war will go on so more can die, more resources can be wasted, and in the end we’ll slink out with our tails between our legs saying we’ve done the right thing. Don’t get your hopes up because the polls say 2/3 of your fellow citizens are against this war. Our leaders don’t have the guts to admit they’re on a fools errand.

You’re deluding yourself if you think:

The US can maintain its economic preeminence for more than a few more years. I’d give it another 20 years at best. We can continue to be a major player for the rest of this century – maybe. If we have the courage to confront what it will take to get our house in order, i.e., reduce the deficit by cutting expenses and raising taxes. If we curb our protectionist instincts. If we bury the arrogance of American exceptionalism. If we establish mutually beneficial relationships with our main competitors. If we learn how to listen more and speak less. Like that. And to make all this happen? – good luck to us.