The Dangerous and Destructive Mythology of American Exceptionalism

originally posted by: Irishhaf
If the USA had not take care of Japan what do you think would have happened if Japan bit a chunk out of Russia.

Japan would have become a USSR state.


Japan would never have stood a chance. Hence why all the effort in trying to maintain neutrality with them.

Anyway thats why it was important we all fought as a ALLIANCE

originally posted by: jaffo

You're right. We did nothing. Good call "old boy." SMDH at another hater.

No one is saying you did nothing.

Just you America were not the golden boys who saved the world or played the most "important" part.

No one did or was.

The USA fought as part of a ALLIANCE and there role was no more or less than that of the UK/USSR

It's not really a secret HOW our education was taken down and how it happened...en.wikipedia.org...

a reply to: DanielJacksonKree

NOPE wrong again IVAN power,it's WASHINGTON.THE PEOPLE are under attack. THEY and ONLY THEY are Americans.
What is in Washington are oligarchs who want many imprisoned ,dead or to steal whatever they can get their hands on.Or to get theor buddies jobs and control so they can keeo doing so.

Many on this forum have made that same mistake.

a reply to: alldaylong

Since we are sticking to semantics old boy... Japan didn't because they were a bit tied up.

The reason the alliance held there own is we kept pushing equipment to our allies as fast as the Germans blew it up.

Yes we didn't do the bulk of the fighting but 2 million fresh troops completely changed the complextion of the war.

Since it's all about the numbers.

double post.

2

a reply to: alldaylong

You are correct and you are MISTAKEN.
IT'S also about strategy and TACTICS where attrition of THE larger man power is countered.
We nominally kill at 10 to 1 when we take the field,any time every time.
BUT to say AMERICA alone won any conflict is incorrect,we ALWAYS had help from allies,otherwise we would be incapable of any warfare abroad at all.

originally posted by: Irishhaf
a reply to: alldaylong

Since we are sticking to semantics old boy... Japan didn't because they were a bit tied up.

The reason the alliance held there own is we kept pushing equipment to our allies as fast as the Germans blew it up.

Yes we didn't do the bulk of the fighting but 2 million fresh troops completely changed the complextion of the war.

Since it's all about the numbers.

Still It was a joint alliedvictory.

The USA role was not any lesser or more prominent than the other major players.

That what pissed the rest of us off. Some Americans and hollywood make it seem that the USA had the main and prominent role and minimize the other major allies when everyone played a equal part.

Problem is grinding that axe here in every thread someone says a positive thing about America is turning people into trolls because it looks like people here are compelled to knock the USA at every single opportunity.

I know it was a joint effort and like I said 2 million fresh troops did make a difference. Think calvary riding in at the last minute.

Heck Canada had the worst part of D-day when they did a test landing (bad terminology I'm tired sue me) prior to June and they got shot to pieces because of strong defense and not enough bodies to break through.

originally posted by: mOjOm
a reply to: mister.old.school

I absolutely hate that term. There isn't a more pompous, arrogant, egocentric or just plain conceited term possible for anyone could use. The fact that it's also not true is an embarrassment. Neocons love using it too and it makes me sick when I hear it. It's like some people have never heard of the word humility or humbleness.

American Exceptionalism = Patriotic Masturbation

I agree 100%. It's so arrogant and does damage to our reputation abroad.

originally posted by: mister.old.school
Greeting cherished readers. Lately, I've found myself being repulsed over the absurdity of various forms of "American Exceptionalism" being expressed by politicians, pundits, and cheerleaders on social media. The latest example of which is the farcical media charade surrounding former NYC Mayor, Rudolph Guliani's suggestion that President Obama does not, "love America." Whether you believe that tidbit of political taunting or not is immaterial; because it has nothing to do with politics, and everything to do with the expert manipulation of the public narrative by the oligarchs who now run this nation.



First, lets examine the political ramifications of this preposterous notion of "American Exceptionalism."

The etymology of the term goes back quite far, but was not popularized until the American Communist Party used it their Daily Worker newspaper in January of 1929
History of the Communist Party of the United States

Lovestone sought to buttress his opportunist conclusions by arguing that his theory of American exceptionalism fitted in with and was based upon Lenin's law of the uneven development of capitalism

Isn't that quite the surprise? The terminology bandied about as either political capital or assails, first appeared in political rhetoric as a hallmark of the American Communist Party. I find that rather amusing.

The term fell into obscurity and was rarely seen again, even during the "heady" boom decades of post World War Two. It emerged again in the 1980's as the New York Times revived the term when columnist Richard Tofel urged President Carter and Presidential Candidate Ronald Reagan to embrace it as a distinctive cultural anthem, writing; "As our unquestioned supremacy recedes, we need to decide what 'America' means to us, and what it means to the world." Carter, being pragmatic, was slow to embrace the paean of "American Exceptionalism," and it was political suicide.

It wasn't until the 2008 presidential campaign between John McCain and Barack Obama that the phrase became a sickening crescendo of nonsense. McCain's strategists used the "American Exceptionalism" fiction to counter the similar campaign fiction of Obama's "Hope and Change." McCain opined that the core message of hope and change was admission that America was not exceptional -- and it very nearly worked until the disastrous selection of his running mate.

Ever since the 2008 campaign, "American Exceptionalism" has been an ever-increasing core undertone from politicians and pundits alike. It's a brilliant strategy brought on by the oligarchs controlling both politicians and media (Adelson, Koch, Richetts, Mercer, Singer, Soros, Simons, Bloomberg, Eychaner, etc). It's a serenade of lies intended to lull the populace into believing an idelic fallacy. Because, my co-conspirators, the delusion of exceptionalism is necessary for the oligarchs to maintain their control.

It's not only arrogant and very problematic, but also inaccurate.

On a whole host of health, education, economic, social mobility, and other measures, the US has fallen behind a multitude of other countries.

originally posted by: mister.old.school


The United States is 14th in the percentage of 24-34 year-olds with a higher education
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
The United States is 24th in literacy.
Institute of Education Sciences
The United States is 30th in math, and 23rd in science
The Program for International Student Assessment

A well-educated populace is incompatible with a ruling oligarchy. Educated citizens ask questions, demand accountability, and reject ignoble pandering. Politicized changes to education curricula in lower education has been crafted to create non thinking sluggards unsuited for universities

I don't think there is any shortage of college grads in this country. However whether or not the education achieved was of high quality is debateable.

I think we're sold a lie about college in the USA. When did university learning become this great standard to measure people's achievement and intellectual capability?

My great-great grandfather came to this country with probably not much more than a dime to his name. By the time he died he had acquired a 13,000 acre sheep/cattle ranch in southern Wyoming. He only had an 8th grade education.

Personal freedom and the ability to think for yourself is worth more than a college education in my opinion. That is truly what the elite fear, not a bunch of people with college degrees.

a reply to: asmall89

Which is why higher education seems to be measured by how much MONEY the graduates make instead of actual accomplishments to better mankind are lauded.

originally posted by: cavtrooper7
a reply to: asmall89

Which is why higher education seems to be measured by how much MONEY the graduates make instead of actual accomplishments to better mankind are lauded.

How exactly and when exactly should we measure those contributions? Rarely does something benefit *everyone.* Usually one person's gain is another's loss. It's great to try and talk about this as though our educational system is such a complete failure and the sky is falling, but that just isn't true. America still leads the World in many areas and does quite well in almost everything. We innovate every day. We build, we produce, we improve, we profit. Everybody is acting like we're some mudpit without two nickels to rub together or a brain among us. Come on, that's far from the truth.

originally posted by: thesaneone
I predict that this thread will quickly turn into a bash America thread.

Appears it was a "bash America" thread from the get go.

America used to be very "exceptional", unfortunately we have a bunch of idiots in power
who are apparently determined to drag it down to third world status. Doing a pretty good
job of it too.

a reply to: jaffo

College is a mix of pursuit of treasure and Activists now.
Science is subverted to the state 99.9 times. THAT is the best money.
Education? MAYBE if you write a book because TEACHING is subverted by the system that never recovered from being remodeled to creating FACTORY workers from before where teaching the individual was the goal.
UNLESS you have the cash for private schools.

Just to point out I have paid my respects at American WW2 war memorials




Though it was respect as equal partners in fighting evil not saviors.

originally posted by: cavtrooper7
a reply to: jaffo

College is a mix of pursuit of treasure and Activists now.
Science is subverted to the state 99.9 times. THAT is the best money.
Education? MAYBE if you write a book because TEACHING is subverted by the system that never recovered from being remodeled to creating FACTORY workers from before where teaching the individual was the goal.
UNLESS you have the cash for private schools.

Sorry, I will have to respectfully disagree. We teach a fairly well-rounded curriculum in primary school in the States. As to college being for activists or whatever, I really have to ask if you have attended college, because that sounds like an idea from movies or the news rather than reality. Not trying to insult you, just being honest. Because I paid my way through undergrad without running into any real activism or anything like that, earning a BA cum laude in two languages and dual minors in Latin American and African American studies. I studied what I wanted, how I wanted, earned the degree I wanted, then chose the next step I wanted. Which was law school. Again I attended, excelled, and moved on with a path of my own choosing. The point being, no one subverted me or any of my friends in college or in our careers now. Friends of mine are teachers, doctors, fellow attorneys, even a researcher or two abroad and up in the New England States, you name it. No one evil came up and roped any of us in and none of my teacher or doctor or researcher friends have been forced into any evil cabal. Just sayin, dude...

originally posted by: Irishhaf
a reply to: alldaylong

Since we are sticking to semantics old boy... Japan didn't because they were a bit tied up.

The reason the alliance held there own is we kept pushing equipment to our allies as fast as the Germans blew it up.

Yes we didn't do the bulk of the fighting but 2 million fresh troops completely changed the complextion of the war.

Since it's all about the numbers.

Here in The West we only ever talk about June 6th 1944 " D Day ". Or by it's proper title " Operation Overlord "

Meanwhile on June 22nd 1944 " Operation Bagration " was launched by The Soviet Red Army on the Eastern Front. This operation dwarfed the D Day Landings.

Operation Bagration

The operation resulted in the almost complete destruction of an entire German army group, with the loss of Army Group Centre's Fourth Army, Third Panzer Army and Ninth Army. It is considered the most calamitous defeat experienced by the German armed forces during the Second World War

Start doing some research into exactly what contribution The Soviets made in the defeat of Nazi Germany. It may surprise you.

originally posted by: jaffo

originally posted by: cavtrooper7
a reply to: asmall89

Which is why higher education seems to be measured by how much MONEY the graduates make instead of actual accomplishments to better mankind are lauded.

How exactly and when exactly should we measure those contributions? Rarely does something benefit *everyone.* Usually one person's gain is another's loss. It's great to try and talk about this as though our educational system is such a complete failure and the sky is falling, but that just isn't true. America still leads the World in many areas and does quite well in almost everything. We innovate every day. We build, we produce, we improve, we profit. Everybody is acting like we're some mudpit without two nickels to rub together or a brain among us. Come on, that's far from the truth.

Your delusion runs deep.

originally posted by: jaffo

originally posted by: cavtrooper7
a reply to: jaffo

College is a mix of pursuit of treasure and Activists now.
Science is subverted to the state 99.9 times. THAT is the best money.
Education? MAYBE if you write a book because TEACHING is subverted by the system that never recovered from being remodeled to creating FACTORY workers from before where teaching the individual was the goal.
UNLESS you have the cash for private schools.

Sorry, I will have to respectfully disagree. We teach a fairly well-rounded curriculum in primary school in the States. As to college being for activists or whatever, I really have to ask if you have attended college, because that sounds like an idea from movies or the news rather than reality. Not trying to insult you, just being honest. Because I paid my way through undergrad without running into any real activism or anything like that, earning a BA cum laude in two languages and dual minors in Latin American and African American studies. I studied what I wanted, how I wanted, earned the degree I wanted, then chose the next step I wanted. Which was law school. Again I attended, excelled, and moved on with a path of my own choosing. The point being, no one subverted me or any of my friends in college or in our careers now. Friends of mine are teachers, doctors, fellow attorneys, even a researcher or two abroad and up in the New England States, you name it. No one evil came up and roped any of us in and none of my teacher or doctor or researcher friends have been forced into any evil cabal. Just sayin, dude...

Sounds like the system gamed you & you love it for doing so. I think you missed his real point about why the modern education system is evil.

Long term conditioning won, we lost.