JDG wrote:
�I believe that the contributions of that country to humanity are special
and important, and above and beyond those contributions of a typical
country.�
�It is reasonable that intelligent people would want to
consider the place of a country in a history, and hopefully these reasonable
and intelligent people can come to agreement on this matter.�
. � By arguing that America is great, I narrowed the discussion to a few
matters where America's contribution is unique and special - that of ethical
advances in the realm of world affairs.�
�I would use more or less the 20th century.�
�- - - the world is a better place thanks to American contributions to the
world that were a unique product of the American experience.�
Fair enough. We have narrowed down the time period and have clarified the
scope of your contention. Your contention does seem to include in its ambit
a certain �ethereal, less definable stick of measurement� [ref: �ethical
advances�] and is not limited to �the more materialistic evidence of
greatness�. Fine with me.
However, it still does not clear the picture for me. Now that I have the
context, I am looking for specifics � reasons for the statement (not why you
made it but what makes you feel this way], examples, and illustrations.
JDG wrote:
�I think that by establishing that America is "great", agreement can it
least be one on the lesser point that America is "good."�
I�d gladly agree that there is a lot in America that is good. For an
agreement on the �great� issue, I need more information.
JDG wrote:
�I responded by arguing that a reasonable person could see much that America
would have to take pride in, and while arrogance may not be justified, for
many people that pride might well become a reason for arrogance.�
True enough. It also holds as true for almost all the citizens of almost all
the countries, or so I�d imagine. No? :o)
JDG wrote:
�Unfortunately, in my opinion, this discussion exposed a virulent
anti-Americanism on the part of several members of the List�
Must have missed that part. But then I have been on the list for only a
week. :o)
Just one thing more, not really connected to the topic, but a niggling sense
of curiosity compels me to ask:
Just what exactly is a �typical country�? :o)
Ritu
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