[P]onder Obama's views of American reality in the context of his membership in the first generation fully shaped after the Cultural Revolution. Let's call it gen-CR. ...
We know what to expect of gen-CR. Unless they have grown up in regions or families with an unusually strong grasp of tradition, patriotism, and reality, gen-CR'ers tend to have a fuzzy view of history, an unconditional belief in tolerance and diplomacy, and contempt for the military and war-making. Their patriotism (such as it is) tends to focus on the "global community" or "the planet" or some other large, meaningless object. ...
Last July he listed crises America has faced, including "the bomb that fell on Pearl Harbor." He spoke of "constantly evolving danger," not of "enemies"; he said that we had "adapted to the threats posed by an ever-changing world," not beaten our enemies. Gen-CR recoils from the idea of enemies. As for "the bomb," Obama was presumably conflating Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. However that may be, the statement is a prime specimen of gen-CR thinking.
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Anyone who can't get that Obama misspoke (and isn't ignorant of the bombing of Pearl Harbor) is completely unable to discern reality. I know how much Rethugs want to believe he's a clueless empty suit, but he just isn't.
As to the bigger subject of gen-CR, I do think that the argument against them resonates with many, including me. I know it resonates with my parents' generation however jingoistic the position might sound to some.
I don't buy the premise that gen-CR has contempt for war. We were overwhelmingly in favor of Afghanistan. Obama's Pakistan policy provides for crossing its border (not with a diplomat) to reach terrorist strongholds. Clinton took us into Bosnia. We do have contempt for the Iraq war which we regard as unjustified.
An unconditional belief in tolerance? Tolerance for gay people yes. For bigots, no. For peaceful Muslims, yes. For terrorists of any persuasion, no.
Yes, we feel responsibility to the global community to behave in a civilized manner and care for the environment. That can't possibly be a bad thing.
I didn't put that up for the Pearl Harbor thing, although I liked it. Imagine if Palin had said it...
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