I had to laugh when I read that Governor Palin was out evoking American Exceptionalism while stumping in Carson, Ca. AP Story
"This is not a man who sees America like you and I see America," she said. "We see America as a force of good in this world. We see an America of exceptionalism."
This is my first diary. I hope I get all this right....
The American Heritage Dictionary – defines "Exceptionalism" as follows
ex•cep•tion•al•ism (ĭk-sěp'shə-nə-lĭz'əm)
n.
- The condition of being exceptional or unique.
- The theory or belief that something, especially a nation, does not conform to a pattern or norm
I’m sure it is her intention to tout the U.S. as "exceptional" as in unusually excellent or superior. And that is how the sheep that come to her rallies hear it. There are (at least) two problems with that.
The American Exceptionalism that Governor Palin is selling is more along the lines of the second definition, but is really more frightening. What she is selling is a jingoistic "American Exceptionism" that America "does not HAVE TO conform to the norm" because we are America, because we are "exceptional"; "my country, right or wrong."
Yet there she stands a shining example of mediocrity, pure American Mediocreism. And because she didn’t spontaneously combust at Thursday night’s debate, the chattering punditry is again falling all over themselves about how she "connects with the average American."
Everyday Americans are wonderful, but there is a time and a place where accomplishment is necessary, situations where exceptional people are required.
If you or a loved one needed life saving brain surgery, do you want the guy or gal who graduated at the bottom of the class from a med school you never heard of (or who bounced around 6 colleges over six years) or would you seek out the most qualified neurosurgeon you can find? If you were on trial for your life, do you want the storefront law school Public Defender or the former Editor of the Harvard Law Review?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a Joe (or Jane) Six-pack. Most of America is made up of just such folks. But if America is going to be "Exceptional" we have to aspire to more than average Joes or Janes in positions of power, especially the highest positions of power.
What Senator McCain endured during his time in Hanoi made him a man of exceptional strength and courage. His academic and military record before that was pretty mediocre. And while he has had a long career in the U.S. Senate, has it been distinguished or exceptional ? As far as Governor Palin goes; her name and the word exceptional does not belong in the same sentence.
Senator Obama is exceptional in every best sense of the word. And I am one average American who is going to be exceptionally proud to cast my vote for Barack Obama for President of the United States of America so together we can make America Exceptional again!
coachjdc