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Old 01-03-2008, 12:47 PM   #60 (permalink)
S-2
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Join Date: 09-11-06
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Brigadier,

My experience suggests that each nation on earth is "ugly". While Americans have plenty to improve upon, until I see, sense, experience the same critical self-examination of others about themselves WE ALL have much to improve upon.

Your China-America comparison is very inaccurate, IMHO. My next door neighbor in Wisconsin who now heads GE-France lived in a Nigerian village for two years with his wife as a young college grad working for the Peace Corps. I've a very good friend working and living along the HCM trail in Laos today. American examples contrasting the "Ugly American" abound for those not prepared to accept smug and self-satisfying generalizations.

I won't worry about it unduly as it doesn't affect my nation one bit. All Americans can do is focus upon self-improvement. I think we do-in spades. Further, unlike others, we openly display our dirty laundry unlike any other nation on earth. Finally, I challenge you with this assumption of mine.

No single nation maintains a perspective as outward looking and global as the United States.

We'll continue to do our best. I wish others would also do so. The world would be a better place.
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