>What is more this is also expected of Canadians, Britons, Turks, and
>citizens of every other nation. Workers of the World Unite and sing: God
>Bless America.
>Bow your heads in prayer with Bush and company. This is what you are to do.
>Most have watched TV and understood what the proper behavior of well
>socialised civilized people should be or at least feel what it should be.
>This is not the time for serious analysis or embarassing questions. Left,
>right, center or whatever the vast majority of Americans are patriots.
Riding in a car last night from upstate NY back to the city, I listened to an NPR call-in show, which is something I rarely do. Among the guests were Louis Lapham and Gay Talese, both of whom spoke of the need for Americans to be self-critical and avoid the usual jingoistic bluster. Almost all the callers agreed, and they were extremely thoughtful and articulate about it. Granted this was NPR, with its relatively upscale and liberal audience, but still, I don't remember hearing anything this sane in earlier crises.
Doug